NORTH COAST, Calif. – The Lodge Fire grew in size again on Monday, with officials reporting that it had reached 10,000 acres by nightfall.
The lightning-caused complex of fires, burning in rugged terrain in Mendocino County in the Wilderness Lodge/Eel River Canyon area, is 40-percent contained, according to Cal Fire.
There were new concerns Monday night about the possibility of still more lightning in the area.
The National Weather Service has issued a “hazardous weather outlook” over the area for possible thunderstorms overnight.
Crews continued to construct and improve fire lines throughout the north and east portions of the fire, Cal Fire said.
Officials downgraded the evacuation order for the area including Camp Seabow, Bowman Ranch, Hunt Ranch, Tan Oak Park, Elk Ridge and Mad Creek to an evacuation warning.
However, an evacuation order is still in effect for the areas south of Highway 101, west of Cummings Road to Leggett, including The Hermitage, Big Bend and Camp St. Michael. Cal Fire said officials are continuing to evaluate the need for the evacuation order as the incident progresses.
An American Red Cross evacuation shelter remains in place at the Leggett School, 1 School Way.
Approximately 2,397 fire personnel are assigned to the complex, along with 186 fire engines, 64 fire crews, 28 bulldozers, 14 helicopters and 22 water tenders, Cal Fire said.
Cal Fire said the estimated suppression cost is now at $20.8 million.
No new injuries were reported on Monday. Eleven firefighters have been hurt during the incident to date, Cal Fire said.
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