Grindstone Complex

Mendocino National Forest
Tuesday, September 09, 2003 - 9:00 a.m.

Fire Information Contact:  (530) 963 3595     (530) 963 3789 fax
Website:  http:/www.fs.fed.us/r5/mendocino/incident/grindstone

Fire Size:  Estimated at 2,965 acres. The fire (complex) is now 10% contained.

The Grindstone Complex is composed of nine active fires between 20 and 600 acres in size, and 30 other fires of smaller size.  All were lightning caused during a storm that moved through the area on Wednesday, September 3rd.   This group of fires occupies portions of the Tehama, Glenn and Colusa Counties within the forest jurisdiction.

Current Fire Status:  There are 39 confirmed fires, 9 are in active status, 14 controlled, 11 contained and 2 have burned together. There is approximately 32 miles of fire perimeter.  The larger fires of significance are:  Happy Camp (149 acres); Happy Camp II (507 acres); Felkner (407 acres); Anderson II (284 acres); Ice (139 acres); Deafy (597 acres); Bowman (212 acres); West Crockett (131); Estelle (197 acres) and Hardin (101 acres).

Containment of the Bowman Fire has reduced the threat to the Ski Hi structures. Good progress with line construction was made on the Happy Camp II, West Crockett and Estelle fires. Crockett II, Harden and Felkner were contained. 

Operational Plan for Today:  As firefighting crews arrive from other fires across the western United States, we are able to put them to work on the larger fires. Highest priorities include: the Anderson, Anderson 2 and Deafy fires.  Anderson 2, complete fireline and initiate mop up.  Also, contain and control Estell Fire;  Felkner Fire, to continue control operations; Happy Camp II, to continue suppression action; and Happy Camp, to evaluate for suppression opportunity.

Equipment assigned to the complex are: 33 crews (20 persons each), 73 engines, 16 dozers, 13 water tenders, two fixed-wing aircraft and twelve helicopters.  Air tankers will be utilized in conjunction with the other regional firefighting efforts.  The total number of personnel assigned to the complex is 1,201.  Hand-crews, engines and other equipment will continue to arrive.

Current road closures

The following road closures have been initiated:
Ivory Mill Road between the intersection with County Road #308 (near Elk Creek) and the junction with Forest Road M3;
Forest Road 20N44 from Forest Road M3 to the intersection with Forest Road 20N59;
County Road FH 7 from the end of pavement at Alder Springs to Mendocino Pass;
Recer Ridge Road from Lone Star to Mendocino Pass;
Forest Road M3 from the Forest Highway 7 to the Upper Lake and Grindstone Ranger District boundaries east of Twin Springs.

For information regarding an alternate route to Covelo, please contact the Mendocino National Forest; Stonyford 530 963-3128;  Willows 530 934-1200; or Fire Information at:  530 963-3595.