Updated Sunday, August 12, at 11:33 a.m.
Firefighters are battling more than a dozen wildfires throughout California — including some of the largest in the state’s history.
California is seeing earlier, longer and more destructive wildfire seasons due to years of drought, warmer weather attributed to climate change and home construction and development that sprawls deeper into forested regions.
In the past few weeks, the state has seen record-setting temperatures, too. And the historically busier months of the wildfire season are still to come.
Cal Fire says a a gradual cooling trend expected to last until mid week is helping to improve conditions, and crews made significant progress Saturday toward containing large wildfires burning throughout the state.
More than 12,000 residents remain under evacuation orders.
Here are the latest updates on the largest fires in the state: Mendocino Complex, Carr and Ferguson fires:
Mendocino Complex Fire (Two Fires In Mendocino And Lake Counties)
For information on evacuations and fire conditions for the two fires making up the Mendocino Complex, head here for the Ranch Fire and here for the River Fire.
What You Need To Know: Fire crews have made progress against the Mendocino Complex Fire, which started on July 27. But the fire won’t be fully contained until September, according to Cal Fire. The complex is made up of twin fires burning side by side, and has been raging through tinder-dry vegetation. It has charred an area the size of Los Angeles. The wildfire is the biggest in California history.
Latest Updates For Acres Burned And Containment:
- River Fire: 48,920 acres, 93 percent contained
- Ranch Fire: 282,479 acres, 63 percent contained
- Mendocino Complex: 331,299 acres, 70 percent contained
Evacuations: There are mandatory evacuation orders in effect throughout parts of Mendocino, Lake and Colusa counties.
- Mendocino County: Residents who live south of Eel River, west of the Mendocino-Lake county line, east of 10500 block of Mid Mountain Road, and north of Pine Avenue need to evacuate. This does not include residents living on Pine Avenue.
- Lake County: Residents who live east of the Lake-Mendocino County Line, south of the Lake-Mendocino-Glenn County Line, west of the Lake-Colusa County Line, north of the fire perimeter and the Mendocino National Forest boundary need to evacuate.
- Colusa County: The town limits of Stonyford, west to the Colusa-Lake County line and North to Colusa-Glenn County line, Century Ranch sub-division, east and west side of East Park Reservior, Lodoga from Squaw Creek Inn south and all areas West of Bear Valley Road to Hwy 20.
Damage To Homes And Structures: The fire has destroyed 139 homes and 119 other buildings, according to Cal Fire. It has damaged another 13 homes and 24 buildings. 1,525 structures remained threatened.
Deaths: There have been no deaths in the Mendocino Complex Fire.
Evacuation Shelters: Evacuation shelters have been set up for residents of the three counties impacted by the fires.
- Twin Pine Casino at 22223 CA-29, Middletown
- Colusa County Veterans Hall at 108 E. Main Street Colusa, CA
- Horses: Redwood Riders Arena, 8300 East Road, Redwood Valley is accepting horses.
- Small animals: Animal Care, 298 Plant Road, Ukiah
The Carr Fire (In Shasta County Near Redding)
Visit here for the latest information on evacuations and fire conditions for the Carr Fire.
What You Need To Know: The Carr Fire near Redding is the deadliest fire so far this year, with eight people killed in connection with the blaze. As of Sunday morning, it was more than half-surrounded and was burning into remote and rugged forest land. The fire broke out July 23 and forced the evacuation of tens of thousands of people.
Latest Updates For Acres Burned And Containment: The fire has burned 191,211 acres and is 59 percent contained.
Evacuations: There are mandatory evacuations in Shasta County for Whiskeytown Park and Rainbow Lake. In Trinity County, evacuations are in place for Trinity Dam at Trinity Dam Blvd.
A disaster recovery assistance center is open at: Old Kmart Building, 2685 Hilltop Dr.. Redding, CA, 96003 (9:00am - 7:00pm daily).
Damage To Homes And Structures: According to Cal Fire, 1,077 homes and another 522 buildings have been destroyed. Another 282 structures have been damaged and 528 remain threatened.
Deaths: Four civilians, three firefighters and a PG&E crew member have died in connection with the blaze, according to Cal Fire. Those killed include: Don Ray Smith, 81, a contract bulldozer operator and Andrew Brake, 40, a heavy equipment mechanic, both working with Cal Fire; Jeremy Stoke, a Redding Fire Department firefighter; Melody Bledsoe, 70, and her great-grandchildren, James Roberts, 5, and Emily Roberts, 4; and PG&E apprentice lineman Jairus Ayeta, 21.
The Ferguson Fire (Near Yosemite National Park)
Look here for the latest information on evacuations and fire conditions for the Ferguson Fire.
What You Need To Know: The Carr Fire near Redding is the deadliest fire so far this year, with eight people killed in connection with the blaze. As of Sunday morning, it was more than half-surrounded and was burning into remote and rugged forest land. The fire broke out July 23 and forced the evacuation of tens of thousands of people.
Latest Updates For Acres Burned And Containment: The fire has burned 191,211 acres and is 59 percent contained.
Evacuations: There are mandatory evacuations in Shasta County for Whiskeytown Park and Rainbow Lake. In Trinity County, evacuations are in place for Trinity Dam at Trinity Dam Blvd.
A disaster recovery assistance center is open at: Old Kmart Building, 2685 Hilltop Dr.. Redding, CA, 96003 (9:00am - 7:00pm daily).
Damage To Homes And Structures: According to Cal Fire, 1,077 homes and another 522 buildings have been destroyed. Another 282 structures have been damaged and 528 remain threatened.
Deaths: Four civilians, three firefighters and a PG&E crew member have died in connection with the blaze, according to Cal Fire. Those killed include: Don Ray Smith, 81, a contract bulldozer operator and Andrew Brake, 40, a heavy equipment mechanic, both working with Cal Fire; Jeremy Stoke, a Redding Fire Department firefighter; Melody Bledsoe, 70, and her great-grandchildren, James Roberts, 5, and Emily Roberts, 4; and PG&E apprentice lineman Jairus Ayeta, 21.
The Ferguson Fire (Near Yosemite National Park)
Look here for the latest information on evacuations and fire conditions for the Ferguson Fire.
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