California ablaze: More evacuations in Mendocino, updates from state’s other fires
The Golden State was still fire-red Saturday, as blazes blanketed areas from the Oregon border to southern Southern California. That’s not to say there’s no good news: the Carr Fire’s ravaging has slowed, and two fires in El Dorado County are fully contained. Here’s an update:
Northern California
Carr Fire
Where: Shasta and Trinity County, on Highway 299 and Carr Powerhouse Road in Whiskeytown.
Size: 145,015 acres, as of 7:36 p.m. Saturday.
Containment: 41 percent, as of 7:36 p.m. Saturday.
What’s happened: The 6th most destructive fire in California’s history had killed six people, razed 1,579 structures, and damaged 258 as of Saturday evening. A Red Flag Warning issued for the area will extend through Saturday. After burning for 13 days, the Carr Fire threatened 1,358 structures Saturday. Some residents are being allowed to repopulate as conditions allow.
Evacuation updates: Cal Fire’s 7 a.m. Friday evacuation and road closure update affects communities in Shasta County, Trinity County, and the City of Redding. For up-to-date information, visit the Shasta County Sheriff’s Office page.
Mendocino Complex Fires: Ranch Fire and River Fire
Where: In Mendocino County, the Ranch Fire was burning near Highway 20 at MP 39, Old Lake County SR, Blue Lake, 8 mi NE of Ukiah. The River Fire was burning at Old River Road, 6 miles north of Hopland.
Size: The Ranch Fire was 181,343 acres and the River Fire was 47,663 acres as of 8 p.m. Saturday. Collectively, they’ve burned 229,006 acres.
Containment: The Ranch Fire was 22 percent contained and the River Fire was 50 percent.
What’s happened: Cal Fire crews reported erratic winds and 300 ft. flame lengths in some of the southeast areas of the Ranch Fire.
Evacuation updates: Evacuations were in effect Friday for communities in Mendocino County and Lake County. Cal Fire is releasing updates about the Mendocino Complex fire online.
Bumper Fire
Where: El Dorado County, near Bumper Road and China Hill Road east of Frenchtown.
Size: 67 acres.
Containment: 100 percent.
Evacuation updates: All evacuations are lifted.
Omega Fire
Where: El Dorado County, off of Omega Lane and Alpha Circle, west of Pilot Hill
Size: 66 acres,.
Containment: 100 percent,.
Evacuation updates: All evacuations are lifted.
Eel Fire
Where: Mendocino County, east of Covelo and north of the Mendocino Complex Fires.
Size: 972 acres, as of 8 p.m. Saturday.
Containment: 50 percent, as of 8 p.m. Saturday.
What’s happened: Firefighters completed the line around the perimeter of the fire.
Evacuation updates: Mandatory evacuation orders along the M1 North Road from Eel River Station to Indian Dick Station have been lifted.
Natchez Fire
Where: Del Norte and Siskiyou County, directly south of the Oregon border.
Size: 9,463 acres, as of 8 p.m. Saturday.
Containment: 25 percent.
What’s happened: A lightning strike caused this inferno, which was burning through timber and chapparal southeast of Cave Junction, Oregon Friday. Areas in the Rogue River-Ssikiyou and Klamath National Forests have been closed. “An offshore low pressure system will provide a cooling trend with increasing relative humidity through the weekend,” according to the National Wildfire Coordinating Group.
Evacuation updates: All evacuations had been lifted as of Friday.
Butte Fire
Where: Sutter County, near Pass Road and W Butte Road, 9 miles northwest of Yuba City.
Size: 1,200 acres, as of 7:44 a.m. Friday.
Containment: 100 percent, as of 7:44 a.m. Friday.
What’s happened: The fire was completely contained Thursday midday, according to the County of Sutter Office of Emergency Management. It damaged a communications array on the western peak of South Butte. No injuries were reported.
Evacuation updates: All evacuation orders have been lifted.
Central California
Ferguson Fire
Where: Mariposa County, near Highway 140 and Hite Cove, adjacent to El Portal.
Size: 81,699 acres, as of 8 p.m. Saturday.
Containment: 35 percent.
What’s happened: The conflagration had killed 2 people, injured 11, and destroyed 10 structures as of Friday. Flames had moved back toward Sierra National Forest on Friday morning, the 22nd day of activity for the blaze. On Friday, the fire jumped Highway 41, fire officials confirmed, the same day Yosemite Valley evacuated all non-essential workers.
Evacuation updates: Mandatory evacuations are in place for areas including Anderson Valley, Forest, Old El Portal, Old Yosemite Road, Wawona, Yosemite View Lodge, Yosemite West, and River Road from Briceburg to the last BLM campground, according to the National Wildfire Coordinating Group.
Southern California
Cranston Fire
Where: Riverside County, near the community of Idyllwild in the San Jacino Mountains
Size: 13,139 acres, as of 8 p.m. Friday.
Containment: 96 percent, as of 8 p.m. Friday.
What’s happened: The vegetation fire, a result of arson, had injured 3 firefighters as of Thursday. The fire began last Wednesday, according to the U.S. Forest Service. A number of recreation sites in the area were closed as of Thursday. Idyllwild Arts Academy canceled the remainder of their summer programs because of the blaze.
Evacuation updates: All evacuations orders had been lifted as of Friday.
This story was originally published August 3, 2018 at 3:42 PM with the headline "California ablaze: More evacuations in Mendocino, updates from state’s other fires."