Fire activity increases on Mendocino Complex’s northern edge in national forest
- Elizabeth Larson
- Posted On
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Aircraft are working an area on the northern perimeter of the Mendocino Complex’s Ranch fire that has become more active.
On Friday afternoon, the Ranch fire put up a new and large column of smoke, which rose above the hills over the Northshore and caused alarm for some community members.
Cal Fire told Lake County News that fire activity increased near the Pine Mountain Project, an area in the Mendocino National Forest located to the southwest of Lake Pillsbury.
Aircraft are being used to slow down that area of the fire, which is on the complex’s edge, Cal Fire reported.
Cal Fire said firefighters are going to work through the night to control that area of fire.
The complex on Friday morning reached 307,447 acres and 60-percent containment. At that time, Cal Fire said the Ranch fire was 258,527 acres and 53-percent contained, and the River fire was 48,920 acres and 90-percent contained.
The active area on the Ranch fire’s northern side already was a focus for suppression work on Friday, with Cal Fire explaining that fire crews have been continuing to bring the fire line into the Mendocino National Forest and control the fire south of Lake Pillsbury.
The Ranch fire is approximately three miles from the southern border of Lake Pillsbury, Mendocino National Forest spokeswoman Punky Moore said Friday.
Moore said the Ranch fire has continued to spread to the north and into the Snow Mountain Wilderness, and is just south of Letts Lake.
A National Weather Service red flag warning is in effect for Lake County through 11 p.m. Saturday due to high temperatures, gusting winds and low humidity that create fire weather conditions.
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