Smoke from Ranch fire fills North Coast skies

Smoke filled North Coast skies Sunday, a lingering remnant of the almost fully contained Ranch fire burning deep in the Mendocino National Forest.

According to the U.S. Forest Service, the 410,203-acre fire continued to burn west of Stonyford into the forest. Smoke from the blaze, as well as that of several fires burning in Northern California, drifted south toward the coast and east over the Sacramento Valley, Forest Service officials said.

The National Weather Service said hazy conditions also were expected today. The smoke from the wildfires, as well as regional vehicle smog, triggered the Bay Area Air Quality Management District to issue a “Spare the Air” alert.

The district said wood burning is highly discouraged but not banned.

“The millions of cars on Bay Area roads each day combined with hot temperatures and ongoing wildfire smoke are expected to cause poor air quality in the Bay Area,” Jack Broadbent, the district’s executive officer, said in a statement.

Heavy smoke is expected to impact the Stonyford and Elk Creek areas. Moderate smoke is expected in places like Clear Lake, Potter Valley, Covelo, Ukiah and Sacramento.

By Sunday evening, fire officials said the Ranch fire was 97 percent contained. Firefighters spent the day monitoring interior burning, extinguishing hot spots and pulling excess hose and equipment off fire lines.

Some 364 miles of suppression repair have been completed, primarily on the west and north sides of the fire. Another 670 miles of fire line are slated for suppression repair, but that number is expected to increase.

You can reach Staff Writer Martin Espinoza at 707-521-5213 or martin.espinoza@pressdemocrat.com. On Twitter @renofish.