Mendocino Lake Complex closer to full containment; damage assessment completed
- Elizabeth Larson
- Posted On
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – The wildland fires that have wrought devastation across California over the past two weeks are nearing full containment, according to Cal Fire.
Cal Fire on Thursday reported more gains on the fires, which statewide have destroyed or damaged more than 7,700 structures and killed 42 people.
California Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones on Thursday announced preliminary data provided by eight California insurers processing claims for tens of thousands of policyholders from around the state.
While the numbers are expected to climb, Jones said the preliminary data reflects $1.045 billion in losses, commercial and residential structures, personal and commercial vehicles, and agricultural equipment.
In Lake County, Cal Fire’s Thursday evening report explained that containment on the Sulphur fire remained throughout the day at 96 percent. The fire’s size, 2,207 acres, has been unchanged throughout this week.
The fire is being managed by Cal Fire as part of the Mendocino Lake Complex, which includes the Redwood fire in Potter and Redwood valleys in Mendocino County.
Overall containment on the complex reached 90 percent on Thursday, the same containment number given for the Redwood fire, which remains at 36,523 acres, Cal Fire said.
Cal Fire said the entire complex, burning since Oct. 9, is expected to be fully contained on Nov. 1.
The death toll remains at eight, all of the casualties having occurred in the Redwood fire. One firefighter injury has been reported throughout the entire complex.
Cal Fire said fire activity remained minimal during the day as crews worked to extinguish hot spots and improve containment lines.
Fire suppression repair also is continuing in an effort to minimize the effects of the damage caused by the complex, according to Cal Fire.
By Thursday evening, light rain was moving over the region, with forecasters anticipating more rain on Friday.
Damage assessment across the fire area also was completed as of Thursday, Cal Fire said.
Cal Fire’s report on damage includes 447 single-family residences destroyed and another 21 damaged, two commercial structures damaged, 252 minor structures destroyed and 29 other structures damaged.
The damage assessment in Lake County includes 168 structures destroyed, which included 136 residences, 27 outbuildings, two commercial buildings and three structures listed as “other.”
Resources that remained assigned to the Mendocino Lake Complex on Thursday include 1,241 personnel, 61 engines, 14 water tenders, one helicopter, 34 hand crews and 14 bulldozers.
In neighboring Napa and Sonoma counties, the work to extinguish the Central LNU Complex continued on Thursday.
Total acreage on the complex, burning since Oct. 8, reached 107,407 acres on Thursday, Cal Fire said.
The Central LNU Complex includes the Tubbs fire, 36,432 acres, 92-percent contained; the Pocket fire, 16,552 acres, 80-percent contained; and the Sonoma Nuns fire, 34,398 acres, and Napa Nuns fire, 20,025 acres, 84-percent containment for both fires, according to Cal Fire’s report.
Cal Fire said the death toll on the complex stands at 23, with no firefighter injuries reported.
The complex has destroyed 6,492 structures and damaged another 381, with Cal Fire reporting that 155 structures remain threatened.
A huge firefighting force continues to work on the complex, including 4,915 personnel, 489 engines, 57 water tenders, 19 helicopters, 106 hand crews and 58 dozers.
Cal Fire has pushed back the estimate for full containment to Oct. 24.
The Southern LNU Complex, which began on the night of Oct. 8 in Napa and Solano counties, was at 51,624 acres and 86-percent containment on Thursday evening, Cal Fire said.
The complex has destroyed 445 residences and damaged 78 others; 19 commercial structures were destroyed and 11 damaged, and 277 miscellaneous structures were destroyed. Cal Fire said 862 structures remain threatened.
Cal Fire said 2,572 firefighters, 208 engines, 28 water tenders, 13 helicopters, 58 hand crews and 15 bulldozers continuing to work the incident.
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