- Elizabeth Larson
- Posted On
Mendocino Complex gets closer to full containment; firing operations continue
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Firefighters pushed the Mendocino Complex closer to full containment on Monday, continuing burning operations in the rugged backcountry that have helped slow the complex’s progress.
Cal Fire said the Mendocino Complex rose to 459,102 acres and 90-percent containment by Monday evening after growing nearly 8,000 more acres during the previous 24 hours.
The Ranch fire reached 410,182 acres and 90-percent containment on Monday night, according to the report. It’s the only portion of the complex still actively burning after the River fire was fully contained at 48,920 acres earlier this month.
Full containment is expected to be reached on Sept. 1, Cal Fire said.
As containment reached the 90-percent mark, personnel and equipment were rolled back on the complex. Cal Fire said 2,440 personnel were assigned on Monday night – a reduction of about 600 from the previous day. Also remaining assigned are 120 engines, 62 water tenders, 14 helicopters, 71 hand crews and 28 dozer.
The improved conditions also led to Glenn County lifting the mandatory evacuation orders for all areas east of the Mendocino National Forest boundary on Monday. The advisory evacuation also was lifted for the community of Elk Creek.
Officials said full closures remain in effect for the Mendocino National Forest, except for forest residents with permits and proof of residency, as well as for the Bureau of Land Management’s Cow Mountain Recreation Area.
The continued growth on the complex has been attributed to firing operations on the northeastern sections of the fire, according to Cal Fire and the U.S. Forest Service, which hold unified command on the incident.
Officials said the firing operations are expected to continue on interior portions of the burned area, focusing on reinforcing containment in the northeastern areas of the fire as weather conditions permit.
Fire crews continue to build and reinforce containment lines and mop up throughout the north and northeastern portions of the fire area, while fire suppression repair efforts remain under way in the northwestern portions of the fire, officials said.
The burning operations have helped the overall firefighting effort but have contributed to the smoky air that has continued to hang over Lake and its surrounding counties.
An air quality forecast for the region can be found here: https://wildlandfiresmoke.net/outlooks/MendocinoNationalForest-SacramentoValleyArea.
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