How to resolve AdBlock issue? LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – The Mendocino Complex on Monday showed no sign of slowing down, breaking the 400,000-acre mark, while in Utah the firefighter killed on the fire lines last week was laid to rest.
Cal Fire reported on Monday evening that the complex – now far and away the largest wildland fire incident in California history – has now burned 400,477 acres, with containment unchanged over the course of the last 36 hours at 79 percent.
The complex turned deadly on Aug. 13, when it claimed the life of veteran Utah firefighter Matthew Burchett, 42, a battalion chief with Draper City Fire Department.
Burchett, who had arrived in California earlier this month as part of a five-person crew, died after he was hit by a falling tree near Lake Pillsbury, in an area where the fire was proving particularly dangerous and challenging for fire crews.
He died a short time later after being airlifted to Ukiah Valley Medical Center.
Last week, he was returned home to his family, his body escorted in procession from Ukiah to Santa Rosa, and then flown to Salt Lake City. Draper City, with a population of about 42,000, is located to the south of the Utah capital.
On Monday, Burchett’s funeral took place in West Valley City, where hundreds gathered to remember his sacrifice, his decades of service and his dedication to protecting others.
His flag-draped coffin was preceded by a group of bagpipers and drummers in full Scottish ceremonial regalia.
Following his body were his family and friends. Immediately behind him was his wife and his young son, holding his helmet.
Walking behind them were fellow firefighters carrying his fire line gear, including tools and turnouts, along with his backpack and boots, stained bright red with fire retardant.
Lake County Sheriff Martin and Mendocino County Sheriff Tom Allman were in attendance at the Monday funeral, representing their North Coast communities.
Burchett is one of more than half a dozen first responders killed this fire season around California.
Fire continues to burn thousands of acres daily
After more than three weeks of burning, the Mendocino Complex shows no signs of slowing down, and appears to be headed through more National Forest land toward Lake County’s northern border.
Even so, Cal Fire said it’s still on target to be fully contained by Sept. 1.
More than 3,600 firefighters – including men and women from Australia and New Zealand – and several hundred pieces of equipment remain assigned to he complex in order to fully control it.
In the past 24 hours, the fire has grown by just over 10,500 acres. It has roughly averaged that amount of new acreage on a daily basis for the last few weeks, according to Cal Fire statistics.
The active portion of the incident is the Ranch fire, now at 351,557 acres and 74-percent containment, Cal Fire reported. The River fire was fully contained Aug. 13 at 48,920 acres.
The number of destroyed structures remains at 277 (157 residences, 120 other structures). Damaged buildings total 37 (13 residences, 24 other structures).
Cal Fire said 1,050 structure remain threatened.
Firefighters continue to be challenged by the steep, rugged terrain in the north and northeastern areas of the fire, according to Cal Fire, which said crews are constructing containment lines with hand crews and dozers in the northern areas of the fire.
Fire activity is expected to decrease in the evenings due to increasing humidity, Cal Fire said.
Some firing operations occurred on Monday, allowing further containment progress, and Cal Fire said firing operations will continue through this evening as weather conditions allow.
The southern portion of the fire remains in patrol status as crews continue with suppression repair and mop up, Cal Fire said.
Late Sunday, as the Ranch fire advanced further into its fourth county, Glenn, the Glenn County Sheriff’s Office issued an alert restating its mandatory evacuation order of Aug. 14 for the area north of the Glenn-Colusa County line, east of the Glenn-Lake County line, south of County Road 308 and Forest Route 24N02, and west of County Road 306.
Last week, the Ranch fire had first moved into the southwestern border of Glenn County. Fire mapping shows that overnight the fire pushed north in Lake County, deeper into the Mendocino National Forest, then circled around into Glenn County a few miles to the north of its original entry point.
On Tuesday morning the Glenn County Board of Supervisors is to consider ratifying Sheriff Rich Warren’s proclamation for a local emergency due to the fire.
In addition to the Glenn County area described above, areas still under mandatory evacuation due to the fire are as follows:
• Lake County: East of the Lake-Mendocino County line, south of the Lake-Mendocino-Glenn County line, west of the Lake-Colusa County line, north of the fire perimeter and the Mendocino National Forest boundary.
• Mendocino County: South and East of Eel River Road, west of the Mendocino-Lake County line, north of the 16000 block of Mid Mountain Road.
• Colusa County: Areas south of the Colusa-Glenn County line, east of the Colusa-Lake County line, north of Goat Mountain Road extending to Sullivan Ridge and west of the Mendocino National Forest boundary including Fouts Springs Road (Forest Road M10).
Evacuation advisories/warnings are as follows:
• Mendocino County: North of Pine Ave, South of the 16000 block of Mid Mountain Road, west of the Mendocino National Forest boundary, and east of Eastside Potter Valley/Eel River Roads.
• Colusa County: All areas east of the Mendocino National Forest boundary and west of the East Park reservoir between the Glenn County line and Lodoga.
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