How to resolve AdBlock issue? LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Bolstered by red flag conditions, the Mendocino Complex overnight made another immense acreage increase, surpassing the 200,000-acre mark, with officials reporting more structures destroyed or damaged.
Early Saturday morning, Cal Fire said the incident had reached 201,471 acres, rising to 34-percent containment. That was a 44,000-acre jump since the Friday night acreage estimate was released.
Most of that new acreage was accounted for on the Ranch fire, which on Friday night made runs at the communities of Lucerne and Spring Valley Lakes.
Cal Fire said Saturday that the Ranch fire alone was up to 156,678 acres, with containment rolling backward slightly to 27 percent. That is up by more than 41,000 acres from the previous night.
The River fire is at 44,793 acres and 50-percent contained, nearly a 2,600-acre increase, based on a comparison of Cal Fire’s reports.
Cal Fire said that on Friday night and early Saturday morning there was poor relative humidity recovery from during the day on Friday, contributing to the two fires’ overnight activity. Low fuel moisture and possible increase in ridge winds are driving the fire, they said.
The northwest portion of the Ranch fire will progress further into the Mendocino National Forest and continue to establish itself in the drainages south of Lake Pillsbury and to the east of the current fire perimeter, Cal Fire said.
The River fire’s northern portion is continuing to burn towards Cow Mountain and Scotts Valley Road, according to Cal Fire.
Mapping showed that the two incidents have grown closer together as activity continued on the north edge of the River fire in the Scotts Valley area. There, overnight, firefighters continued to work on building and strengthening dozer line and protecting structures, based on radio reports.
The fire also moved further into the north Lakeport area and closer to where the Ranch fire is burning in the Upper Lake and Witter Springs areas, according to incident mapping.
On Friday, mandatory evacuations had been called for Lucerne, Glenhaven and Clearlake Oaks, which resulted in the entire Northshore being under evacuation.
In Spring Valley Lakes east of Clearlake Oaks, which suffered through the June Pawnee fire, a fire fight already was under way on Friday evening, with dozens of engines engaged, according to Cal Fire.
Elsewhere around Clearlake Oaks, the fire was reported to be near Long Valley and moving toward High Valley.
After nightfall, at about 9:30 p.m., firefighters reported over the radio that the fire was burning actively in an area in the hills above Lucerne.
About an hour later, law enforcement officers went through the streets of Lucerne, flashing lights and sirens and using public address systems in their vehicles to tell residents who remained that they needed to leave immediately, as the fire had crested the ridges above town.
The fire had, indeed, backed down the hills, fanned by winds, making its way down toward the west end of Lucerne. That resulted in the evacuation of this publication’s staff and publishing delays while operations were relocated.
Throughout the night, sheriff’s deputies and officers from allied agencies who sent assistance were dispatched to help evacuate residents who couldn’t make it out themselves, according to radio traffic.
Altogether, Cal Fire said 12,300 structures are threatened by the complex, with the newest damage assessment putting total structures destroyed at 104 – 55 residences and 49 other types – while those damaged include 10 residences and 11 other buildings.
The National Weather Service has issued a red flag warning for Lake County that’s in effect through Saturday night.
The warning is for a forecast of high winds that, coupled with dry conditions, could further feed the Mendocino Complex’s acreage growth.
Air resources are expected to play another key role in fighting the complex on Saturday, with air attack launching to head to the Ranch fire before 8 a.m.
Resources assigned include 3,449 personnel, 419 engines, 60 water tenders, 15 helicopters, 51 hand crews and 54 dozers, Cal Fire said.
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