A new brush fire in Mendocino County prompted evacuations Tuesday afternoon, according to Cal Fire.
The Eel Fire, burning off Indian Dick Road and Mendocino Pass Road, east of Covelo, sparked about 5:45 p.m. and prompted evacuations on Menodcino Pass Road, Cal Fire said. The blaze quickly spread to about 865 acres, fire officials said. It was not clear how many people were being evacuated.
The Mendocino County Sheriff's Office later issued mandatory evacuations of all residences between Black Butte River, Anthony Peak, U.S. Forest Service Road M4, and U.S. Forest Service Road M1 to mile marker 10.
Evacuation routes recommended were east on U.S. Forest Highway 7 to the east due to the roadway being closed to the west, the sheriff's office said.
Evacuees who need shelter for the night should check in at the Covelo Fire Station, 75900 Covelo Road, at 9:30 p.m., the sheriff's office said.
No further details were available.
