This is a developing situation. Updated information will be published at the top of this article.
7/16/24 7:39 a.m. — Cal Fire has released the final update about the Mina Fire, which continues to burn just north of Covelo. The fire is 98 percent contained and is expected to be 100 percent contained Wednesday evening. Crews will continue to work on mopping up and finalizing the remaining control lines.
7/15/24 11:01 a.m. — The Mina Fire is 97 percent contained according to Cal Fire. Evacuation warnings have been lifted. The cause of the fire remains under investigation. Cal Fire has 30 personnel working to contain and mop-up the fire.
7/12/24 9:07 a.m. — According to Cal Fire, the Mina Fire is 70 percent contained at 98 acres. Fire crews continue to mop up the fire, working to further contain it and mitigate hazardous trees.
7/11/24 9:04 a.m. — This morning, Cal Fire reports that the Mina Fire is 60 percent contained and remains at 98 acres. As reported yesterday, a body was found in one of two structures destroyed by the fire. While the body has yet to be identified, the Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office believes it to be the body of 66-year-old Dagmar Stankova, who was reported missing when the fire first started. More details can be found here.
The fire remains active, and Cal Fire, along with crews from eight different local departments among other agencies, continue to work on containing the fire and mopping up hot spots and removing hazard trees. Cal Fire reports that 250 personnel are working the fire.
7/9/24 5:20 p.m. — The Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office reports that a body was found in a structure burned during the Mina Fire. The body, which has yet to be identified, is believed to be that of a woman reported missing from the property on Monday. More details can be found here.
7/10/24 8:36 a.m. — The Mina Fire has grown in size and containment according to this morning’s Cal Fire update. The fire, which was reported as being 53 acres in size on Tuesday night, has been calculated at being 98 acres due to more accurate mapping. Additionally, containment on the fire has grown from 35 percent to 50 percent.
Evacuation warnings remain in place for zone MEN-1COV01. Residents are encouraged to identify their evacuation zone at mendoready.org.
Cal Fire reports that crews are focusing on mopping up areas along the fire perimeter. Mopping up is defined as “the hard physical labor process of extinguishing or removing burning material near control lines down to the mineral soil, felling fire damaged trees, and cooling ash pits to make a fireline less likely to escape or to reduce residual smoke,” according to the United States Forest Service. In addition to also improving containment lines, crews will be mitigating hazardous trees and monitoring the perimeter of the fire for flare-ups.
As of this morning, 250 personnel continue to work the fire.
Now is a great time to make sure you have your wildfire readiness plans in order. Learn how to create a basic emergency go bag here and find our wildfire resource guide here.
7/9/24 7:21 p.m. — According to Cal Fire, the Mina Fire is 53 acres in size and is 35 percent contained. Expected full containment is unknown at this time as crews from throughout Mendocino County continue to work the fire. Evacuation warnings remain in place.
7/9/24 8:55 a.m. — The Mina Fire is holding at approximately 50 acres and is 30 percent contained according to this morning’s Cal Fire report. The evacuation warning for zone MEN-1COV01 remains in place.
Cal Fire reports that the holding along containment lines. Crews continue to build lines to control multiple spot fires. The fire is burning in heavy fuels, which means it will be a challenge to mop up. As of this morning, 250 personnel from fire crews across the county, as well as the California National Guard, California Conservation Corps, Mendocino National Forest and Briceland Volunteer Fire Department from Garberville.
7/8/24 7:15 p.m. — Firefighters continue to battle the Mina Fire on Monday evening. According to Cal Fire, the fire stands at approximately 50 acres and is burning in a mix of brush, grass and timber.
Cal Fire describes the conditions as “extreme.” Firefighters both on the ground and in the air are working in steep and rugged terrain with high heat and low humidity. Tonight, firefighters will focus on building containment lines and defending structures.
There are 165 personnel working the fire from throughout the region, including Redwood Coast Fire, Anderson Valley Fire, Brooktrails Township Fire, Mendocino Volunteer Fire, Laytonville Volunteer Fire, Ukiah Valley Fire, Little Lake-Willits Fire, Hopland Volunteer Fire, Mendocino National Forest, the California National Guard, California Conservation Corps among others.
7/8/24 4:45 p.m. — Cal Fire reports that the Mina Fire is approximately 50 acres in size and zero percent contained.
7/8/24 4:29 p.m. — The Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) has issued an evacuation warning for zone MEN-1COV01. The department issued the following Nixle:
Evacuation Warning: Wildfire in the Covelo area, 97550 Mina Rd, Be ready to evacuate at any moment, gather your belongings, check on your neighbors and leave early if possible. Please avoid the area, Emergency crews need access, DO NOT BLOCK THE ROAD. Only call 9 1 1 for emergencies. We will publish more information including evacuation zone maps and social media updates to mendoready.org as more information becomes available.
Advertencia de evacuación: Wildfire en el área de Covelo, 97550 Mina Rd, Prepárese para evacuar en cualquier momento, reúna sus pertenencias, verifique a sus vecinos y salga temprano si es posible. Por favor, evite el área, los equipos de emergencia necesitan acceso, NO BLOQUEE LA CARRETERA. Solo llama al 9 1 1 para emergencias. Para obtener más información, visite mendoready.org (mapas de la zona de evacuación, actualizaciones de Twitter)
7/8/24 3:40 p.m. — Cal Fire reports that the Mina Fire is now 10-15 acres in size.
COVELO, Ca., 7/8/24 —Cal Fire Mendocino is responding to a wildland and structure fire northwest of Covelo. The fire, which authorities call the Mina Fire, is burning in the 97500 block of Mina Road. The fire was first reported around 2:06 p.m.
As of 3:15 p.m., Cal Fire Mendocino reports that the fire is 3-5 acres in size, and one structure is involved. Additional tankers and a helicopter have been asked to the scene to help fight the fire.
Significant fire is visible on the Big John camera operated by ALERTCalifornia. There are no evacuations in place at this time.
Now is a great time to make sure you have your wildfire readiness plans in order. Learn how to create a basic emergency go bag here and find our wildfire resource guide here.