[UPDATE 9:15 p.m.] Major Fire Near Covelo

A fire is burning in the area of Hopper Lane and Crawford Road in the Covelo area of northern Mendocino County. According to a report over the scanner as of 6:10 p.m., structures and vehicles may be burning but law enforcement is struggling to get residents to evacuate. But this is unconfirmed. The fire is 40-50 acres according to recent estimates over the scanner. [NOTE:  Please remember that information gathered from initial reports is subject to revision as more facts become available.]

According to the Mendocino County Sheriff at 5:47 p.m.,

The Sheriff’s Office requests, “Fire and law will be in the area with large equipment and apparatus so please avoid this area to help keep the roads clear for them.”

Additional tankers have been requested.

UPDATE 7:10 p.m.: The Sheriff’s Office is expanding the Evacuation Warning area according to the following tweet.

Nixle Alert:

COVELO FIRE #MinaFire

EVAC WARNING FOR COVELO AREA NORTH OF REFUSE RD AND CHARLIE HURT HIGHWAY. EAST OF RIFLE RANGE RD AND THE DUMP. WEST OF MINA RD. SOUTH OF ZENIA RD. EVAC WARNING AREAS INCLUDE LEDGER LANE, HOPPER LANE, CRAWFORD RD.

— Mendocino Sheriff (@MendoSheriff) August 11, 2020

UPDATE 7:16 p.m.: The Incident Commander reported over the scanner they are holding the fire at about 50 acres and most of the structures aren’t threatened at this point.

UPDATE 8:13 p.m.: Senator Mike McGuire tweeted at 8:05 p.m., “Firefighters are hitting the #MinaFire hard. Major progress made on the blaze near Covelo (Mendocino County). The spread has slowed significantly, the fire is holding at approx 50 acres. This was a close call.”

UPDATE 8:34 p.m.: According to a tweet by Cal Fire Mendocino’s George Gonzalez, “This picture from our CAL FIRE Air Attack Officer shows retardant lines around the the fire, while ground resources put the fire out.”

UPDATE 9:15 p.m.: According to another tweet about 9:05 p.m. by Cal Fire Mendocino’s George Gonzalez, “Our most recent update to our Emergency Command Center from the Incident Commander is approximately 171 acres, 30 percent [contained], two outbuildings and several vehicles damaged by the fire.”

The Mendocino Sheriff tweeted about 9:07 p.m., “Our units are consulting with CalFire on scene and it was decided to expand the warning zone as it seemed to be moving north into heavier fuels on Perry Ridge.”

UPDATE: All evacuations lifted.

UPDATE Tuesday: 

#MinaFire Incident Update: 177 acres and 50% contained. Fire resources will remain at scene throughout the day to strengthen containment lines and patrol the area looking for and taking action on- interior hot spots, smokes, or other hazards. #CALFIREMEU pic.twitter.com/nhCbcvJaM6

— CAL FIRE Mendocino (@CALFIRE_MEU) August 11, 2020

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