- Elizabeth Larson
- Posted On
Mendocino Complex grows; mandatory evacuations called near Lakeport
This story has been updated with advisory evacuation information and a map of the mandatory evacuation area.
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – With fires that began in Mendocino County on Friday continuing to grow and approach Lake County communities, on Saturday afternoon local officials expanded the advisory evacuation area to include the entire city of Lakeport and a new mandatory evacuation order for an area near the city.
The Mendocino Complex, composed of the Ranch and River fires, grew to 9,500 acres on Saturday morning.
That breaks down to 3,500 acres and 2 percent containment on the Ranch fire, which began along Highway 20 eight miles northeast of Ukiah, and 6,000 acres and 2 percent containment for the River fire, which began off of Old River Road near Hopland.
Two structures have so far been destroyed and a total of 386 are threatened, Cal Fire said.
Officials also said that seven firefighters have been injured in battling the complex.
Resources assigned on Saturday to the complex included 470 personnel and 40 engines, 20 water tenders, two helicopters, 16 hand crews and 15 dozers.
Due to the River fire portion of the complex, on Saturday the sheriff’s office issued a mandatory evacuation notice for the area west of Highway 29 in and around the city of Lakeport.
The area to be evacuated includes all areas west of Highway 29 between Highland Springs Road and 11th Street/Scotts Valley Road, and west to the Lake/Mendocino County line.
The Lake County Sheriff's Office and the Lakeport Police Department jointly issued an advisory evacuation notice to the entire city of Lakeport and the surrounding areas.
Evacuation is recommended but not required. The Lakeport Police Department and the Lake County Sheriff's Office encourage those who are able to evacuate to consider doing so now.
A shelter has been established at Mountain Vista Middle School in Kelseyville, 5081 Konocti Road, Kelseyville.
Advisory evacuations also remain in effect for Bachelor Valley, Blue Lakes, Witter Springs, north Scotts Valley Road from the 7000 block to Highway 20, and Highway 20 from the 6000 block to the Lake County line.
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