U.S. Forest Service
Mendocino National Forest
825 N. Humboldt Ave.
Willows, CA 95988

News Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

July 31, 2015

Lightning fires located on Mendocino National Forest

WILLOWS, Calif. – The Mendocino National Forest is currently locating and taking actions to suppress fires started by lightning yesterday.

The Forest received more than 100 lightning strikes Thursday afternoon and evening across the forest.

Since yesterday, the Forest has identified 10 fires, with most of them on the west side on the Upper Lake and Covelo Ranger Districts.  The Grindstone Ranger District currently has one fire estimated to be a half acre.

Eight of the remaining fires are small – ranging in size from a single tree to 2 acres.  Progress towards containment is being made on the fires.

The Etsel Fire on the Upper Lake Ranger District is the largest fire, estimated to be between 35 and 40 acres.  It is located in the Yuki Wilderness and is burning in heavy timber and brush.

As dry conditions and hot temperatures continue, firefighters anticipate discovering more lightning fires in coming days.  There is also a chance of thunderstorms this afternoon and evening.

Forest visitors are asked to be aware of their surroundings and be prepared for changing conditions.  This includes reporting visible smoke that could be from a wildfire.

To report a fire, please call 911.

As a reminder, the Mendocino National Forest is currently under fire restrictions.  Visitors are asked to follow regulations and be careful with anything with a flame or that can throw a spark in the forest.  For more information, please visit www.preventwildfireca.org/OneLessSpark/.

For more information, please contact the Mendocino National Forest at 530-934-3316 or visit www.fs.usda.gov/mendocino. Updates are also available on Twitter @MendocinoNF.