Mina Fire: One Person Missing, Human Remains Discovered
Press release from the Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office:
On 07-08-2024 at 2:17 PM, Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to assist CalFire with a wildland fire in the 94500 block of Mina Road, north of Covelo, CA. The fire was reported to be a rapidly-moving wildfire with one structure possibly fully involved and one person potentially missing. Upon arrival in the area, deputies contacted an adult male at the property who stated a burn pile had escaped and started the wildfire. The adult male reported that a family member, 66-year-old Dagmar Stankova, was missing and had last been seen in and around the residence attempting to extinguish flames. Due to the intensity of the fire, deputies were not able to access the area of the residence so they proceeded to work on evacuating people in the surrounding neighborhood. A missing person report was ultimately taken for Stankova as she was not able to be located.
On 07-09-2024 at approximately 2:00 A.M., the Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office was notified by fire personnel that suspected burned human remains had been located in a structure that had burned during this fire. Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office Detectives, along with CalFire Prevention Officers, responded to the scene which still had active fire burning. Investigators located the human remains and due to the burned condition of the body, investigators were not able to make a positive identification of the decedent. During the investigation, it was determined that Stankova had last been seen adjacent to the residence attempting to protect her home from the fire with a garden hose. The Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office Coroner’s Division is actively working to identify the human remains that were located; however the remains are believed to be Stankova based on the investigation and circumstances of the fire. Stankova’s next of kin is aware of this case and is assisting with this investigation.
An autopsy for the decedent located during this investigation is being scheduled and the final cause and manner of death will not be released until the autopsy and toxicology reports are available. The coroner’s case for the unidentified decedent is being investigated under Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office case #2024-13948. CalFire Prevention Officers are conducting the investigation regarding the cause of the fire related to this incident.
Anyone with any information regarding this incident is encouraged to contact the Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office Dispatch Center at 707-463-4086. Information can also be provided anonymously through the non-emergency tip-line at 707-234-2100.
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I am sorry someone lost their life that is a terrible way to go.
But you shouldn’t be living in the wilderness if you’re lighting up burn piles in July
**unless the conditions are right and safe for burning with knowledgeable and experienced folks doing the burning**
Some years we burn into the middle or end of July if there’s rH recovery, fog, lower temps, or rain.
Ok. But in interior Mendocino those days in July are few and far between, if ever
Nobody in their right mind would light a fire in Covelo today
Darwin at work. Dumbasses. Manslaughter.
You live on the coast huh!? Well, what do you think the conditions were when he lit this pile? Hot dry and stupid? There is at least half the year to burn safely.
It’s almost too stupid. They’ll do a real careful autopsy I bet.
Yeah, I was very surprised to hear they were burning a burn pile on purpose in July.
This season so far is terrible burning conditions since the first or second week of May. We shut down early this year because there was not enough favorable conditions. As someone who’s done this for fourteen years, I wouldn’t recommend most folks burn once the bulk of the rains pass.
I wouldn’t recommend most folks brag about only 14 years of experience. It shows. Even if conditions were right for one morning, CalFire burn permits are all suspended. If you are burning piles after the suspension you are not doing it professionally.
ewp.. what a stupid comment.. we all live in the wilderness and the women that passed might not have started it.. show some respect… and learn how to communicate properly!!
I didn’t say she started the pile.
But if my land partner, friend, neighbor etc, tried starting a burn pile right now, I’d stop them by any means necessary
Kinda wonder what your definition of wilderness is
Maybe she was trying to stop it once she saw it happening. Not like one has cameras all around neighbors’ homes broadcasting. We leave the elderly in this Country to fend for themselves and have horrendous care homes and don’t allow for euthenasia so we end up costing our selves by not investing better in community health .
Tad quick to judge…easy and tempting and doesn’t solve a thing. They’re elderly. If neighbors and even strangers don’t start helping the more vulnerable in our community we all ultimately pay for it.
I hung up the brush saw a couple months ago already, too easy to make sparks when you hit a rock. Burn piles in July? Tragic.
So sad for all involved.
Including first responders.
RIP
No disrespect intended, theres a burn ban for a reason. Hands down one of the most dangerous weeks for fire in quite awhile..
Please please please do not have a burn pile this time of year!!!
We don’t even use charcoal briquettes this time of year and I love grilling outside.
Notice guy is elderly. Got to look out for our elders!
OR POSSIBLY THE BURN PILE IS A COVER UP FOR SOMTHING ELSE………
Human remains were located….
Holding a water hose…come on now. Watching to much tv.
What kind of person lights a burn pile in this weather? Unbelievable
Maybe an elderly person who got behind in creating a buffer zone ? We dont’ look out for our elders and they suffer in silence and sometimes take us out with them through car accidents, fires or whatever.
My condolences to Ms. Stankova’s family and friends. I’m so sorry for your loss.
My most sincere condolences to the Stankova family and their friends. Thank you to all the first responders who worked the fire and located Ms. Stankova. May she RIP forever. God bless.
Burning? That only makes very remotely makes any sense if the insurance company was going to do an inspection and she didn’t have the strength to move it herself. Even then, it’s too nutty.. But, they are doing inspections on Covelo Rd from what I hear. and canceling all they can. For very stupid reasons.. Maybe there are still people in Covelo left with insurance.