MENDOCINO CO., 8/1/25 – A wildfire burning northwest of Covelo is now 75% contained as of Wednesday afternoon, Cal Fire said. Three firefighters have also sustained injuries, Cal Fire said. The extend of those injuries has not been reported.
‘Medicine Fire’ now 75% contained
The fire, which authorities have called the “Medicine Fire,” was first reported around 3:25 p.m. Sunday afternoon near Rifle Range Road north of Refuse Road. Cal Fire has since updated the location of the fire to north of Hopper Lane and west of Mina Road/California state Highway 162.
By early Sunday evening, Cal Fire estimated the fire at 217 acres. Mandatory evacuations were in place, only to be lifted by 10:30 p.m.
Friday morning, Cal Fire reported that the fire stands at 263 acres and is 75% contained.
At its height, the Medicine Fire threatened 229 households and an estimated 578 residents, according to Cal Fire’s fire incident demographics report.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
Three firefighters injured responding to fire
Three firefighters have been injured fighting the Medicine Fire, Cal Fire said. Additional details on their injuries are not available at this time. Cal Fire declined to comment.
Red Flag Warning issued for area impacted by fire expires
The National Weather Service issued a Red Flag Warning from 12 to 8 p.m. Monday for eastern Mendocino County, including the area currently impacted by the Medicine Fire.
The weather service forecasted a 15% to 25% chance of scattered dry thunderstorms across the eastern part of the county, which is mountainous and rural.
Lightning produced by dry thunderstorms can create wildfires, which are more likely to spread due to gusty winds, low relative humidity and hot temperatures, the weather service said.
The warning included the unincorporated community of Covelo and Mendocino National Forest. It also included eastern Trinity County and all of Lake County.
The Mendocino County Office of Emergency Services asks residents to “Know Your Zone” in preparation for potential evacuations due to an emergency, including a wildfire. Information on evacuation zones and emergency resources for Mendocino County are available at https://mendoready.org/.