Firefighters continue to slow Mendocino Complex progress
- Elizabeth Larson
- Posted On
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Firefighters on Saturday continued to throttle down the growth of the Mendocino Complex, raising containment a few more percentage points and strengthening lines on the north side of the Ranch fire.
For the 24-hour period ending on Saturday evening, the Mendocino Complex had grown by just 3,200 acres, reaching 427,693 acres, with containment up to percent to 78 percent, according to Cal Fire.
All of that growth was on the Ranch fire, now up to 378,773 acres and 67 percent containment, Cal Fire said. The River fire was fully contained nearly two weeks ago at 48,920 acres.
Fire officials said the efforts to contain the complex have been aided by better weather, which allowed firefighters to make good progress on the active northwestern portion of the fire.
Firing operations also have continued. The U.S. Forest Service, which holds unified command on the complex with Cal Fire, said firing operations are progressing on the Ranch fire’s east side and will continue for the next several days as crews work to contain the fire. Helicopters using aerial ignition devices are helping to burn interior fuels that may pose a threat to containment lines.
In addition, felling teams are taking down hazardous trees to make it safer for firefighters and chipping crews are removing vegetation that was cut to widen containment lines, the Forest Service said.
The Forest Service said fire suppression repair teams are working in burned areas where it is safe to do so.
The teams are using heavy equipment to restore bulldozer lines to as natural conditions as possible, covering them with vegetation and creating water bars — berms made to divert water to prevent erosion.
Officials said those suppression repair teams work closely with resource advisors to help protect sensitive areas.
Improving conditions on the fire on Saturday led authorities to reduce the mandatory evacuation order for the Lake Pillsbury and surrounding area within the Mendocino National Forest and Lake County to an evacuation advisory.
However, officials said all roads and areas of the Mendocino National Forest within the Ranch Fire Forest Closure Order No. 08-18-14 remain closed to the general public. Only landowners will be allowed access to their property with proof of ownership.
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