LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – California’s governor has declared a state of emergency due to the Mendocino Complex, which grew by more than 10,000 acres overnight.
The Ranch and River fires make up the 24,270-acre Mendocino Complex, which began on Friday in Mendocino County before moving into Lake County, burning aggressively in steep terrain, fueled by extreme heat, low humidity and gusty winds.
On Sunday morning Cal Fire said the Ranch fire, which began along Highway 20 near Potter Valley, has grown to be the largest of the complex’s two fires, burning 13,242 acres.
On Saturday evening the Ranch fire spread into the Mendocino National Forest, according to forest spokeswoman Punky Moore.
The River fire, which began along Old River Road six miles from Hopland, is up to 11,028 acres, and has destroyed four residences and one outbuilding.
Both fires remained at 5 percent containment on Sunday morning, for a total complex containment of 10 percent, Cal Fire said.
Combined, the fires are now threatening 4,587 structures, Cal Fire said Sunday.
Cal Fire said 820 personnel, 56 engines, 22 water tenders, six helicopters, 27 hand crews and 22 dozers are assigned to the complex.
Earlier reports had indicated injuries to firefighters, but Sunday’s report said none have occurred.
On Saturday afternoon, as the work continued on the complex, the Steele fire began in Napa County, threatening the Berryessa Highlands area, where a mandatory evacuation was later ordered.
Aircraft were pulled from Lake County’s fires and diverted to the Steele fire, with planes later sent back to the Mendocino Complex, based on radio traffic.
The Steele fire has burned 150 acres, destroyed seven structures and damaged one other, and is 50 percent contained, Cal Fire said Sunday.
On Saturday night, Gov. Jerry Brown declared a state of emergency in Lake, Mendocino and Napa counties due to the effects of the River, Ranch and Steele fires.
“Grateful to Governor Brown for declaring a state of emergency in both Mendocino and Lake Counties,” State Sen. Mike McGuire said on his Facebook page. “This declaration will help pave the way for enhanced state and federal financial assistance.”
On Sunday morning the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency reported that it has authorized the use of federal funds to assist the State of California to combat the River Fire burning in Mendocino and Lake counties.
Mandatory evacuations remain in place
The Lake County Sheriff’s Office ordered several mandatory evacuations throughout the day on Saturday, all of which remained in effect on Sunday morning.
A a mandatory evacuation at Sutter Lakeside Hospital was triggered during Saturday afternoon.
Sutter Health spokesman Clayton Warren issued an update Saturday night that said 13 patients were safely evacuated to nearby hospitals by 7:20 p.m.
“As the last patients left the hospital, emergency officials advised us that the fire risk for Sutter Lakeside was greatly reduced – and as a result – requested we keep the emergency department and obstetrics open. The medical/surgical units and the intensive care unit remain closed,” Warren said.
Evergreen Lakeport Healthcare also was reported to have been evacuated on Saturday, based on radio reports.
The entire city of Lakeport was under an advisory evacuation throughout the day Saturday and into Sunday, and local law enforcement patrolled all of the evacuation areas to protect against looters.
On Saturday night, the River fire’s flames crested ridges behind Lakeport and appeared to be approaching the city, as shown in the video below.
However, at that point Supervisor Rob Brown, who was driving the fire area with Sheriff Brian Martin, said the fire still appeared to be several miles and ridges away.
Brown and other local officials will host a community meeting about the fires at 5 p.m. Sunday at Kelseyville High School.
Firefighters worked the incident through the night, with structure protection in areas like Bachelor Valley a priority, according to radio reports.
Reports from the scene Saturday night stated that power was cut to the Bachelor Valley area as part of the firefighting effort.
Cal Fire anticipates that the Mendocino Complex will be fully contained on Aug. 5.
In other fire news, Gov. Brown announced on Saturday that the state has secured a presidential declaration requested on Friday providing direct federal assistance to further support the communities impacted by the Carr Fire, following an emergency proclamation issued for Shasta County this week.
The Carr fire in Redding ballooned to 89,194 acres by Sunday morning, with 5 percent containment, according to Cal Fire.
The incident has claimed the lives of two firefighters and three civilians, according to Redding area media reports.
Cal Fire said the Carr fire has destroyed 517 structures and damaged 135 others, and continues to threaten nearly 5,000 more.
Gov. Brown ordered state flags to be flown at half-staff in honor of two firefighters who died while working on the Carr Fire, and issued emergency proclamations for Riverside and Mariposa counties this week due to fires.
A summary of Mendocino Complex evacuations, road closures and shelter information is listed below. Updates will be issued throughout the day as information changes.
EVACUATIONS SUMMARY
LAKE COUNTY
Mandatory evacuations:
• The unincorporated area Lakeport, everything south of Scotts Creek Road to Scotts Valley Road to Highway 29; everything west of Highway 29 from Scotts Valley Road to Highland Springs Road; everything north of Highland Springs Road, Mathews Road, George Road and Highway 175 to the Lake-Mendocino County line; everything east of Lake-Mendocino
County line from Scotts Creek Road to Highway 175.
• North of Highway 20, west of Mendenhall Avenue; east of the Mendocino-Lake County line;
south of Mendocino National Forest.
• Blue Lakes.
• Bachelor Valley.
• Witter Springs.
• Elk Mountain Road, north of Rancheria Road to Middle Creek Campground and west to the county line.
• North Scotts Valley Road from the 7000 block to Highway 20.
Advisory evacuation orders:
• Area south of Park Way and east of Highway 29 to Big Valley Road, including the entire city of Lakeport.
• North of Highway 20, east of Mendenhall Avenue and south of the Mendocino National Forest boundary, west of Robinson Rancheria Casino.
MENDOCINO COUNTY
Mandatory evacuations:
• 8000 block of River Road, south to the intersection of Highway 175 from the Russian River east to the Lake County line, within the north south points. These evacuations also include all
driveways and homes located between the north south points.
• Potter Valley community.
• All areas north of Highway 20, east of the fire edge, to the Mendocino-Lake County line.
• South of Burris Lane to MeWhinney Creek and east of East Side Potter Valley Road, to include feeder roads utilizing Burris Lane east to the Mendocino-Lake County line.
Evacuation advisories or warnings:
• Highway 20 from the 6000 block to the Lake County line.
• Potter Valley, Burris Lane area.
• North of 8000 block of River Road to Yokayo Ranch Road.
ROAD CLOSURES
• Highway 175, at Old River Road to eastbound traffic (Mendocino County).
• Highway 175, at Highway 29 to westbound traffic (Lake County).
• Old River Road, between the 7000 block and Highway 175.
• Old River Road, between the 7000 and 8000 block is open to residents only.
• Scotts Valley Road at Mountview Road/11th Street (Lakeport).
• Hill Road at Scotts Valley Road (Lakeport).
• Laurel Dell near Scotts Valley Road at Scotts Valley Road (Blue Lakes).
• Bachelor Valley Road at Highway 20 (Upper Lake / Bachelor Valley and Witter Springs Community).
• Witter Springs Road at Highway 20 (Upper Lake / Bachelor Valley and Witter Springs Community).
• Elk Mountain Road at Rancheria Rd (Upper Lake).
• Blue Lake Road at Highway 20 (Blue Lakes).
• Irvine Avenue at Highway 20 (Blue Lakes).
• Mid Lake Road at Highway 20 (Blue Lakes).
• Mathews Road at Highway 175 (Lakeport).
• Saratoga Springs Road at Highway 20 (Upper Lake / Bachelor Valley and Witter Springs Community).
• Highland Springs Road at Argonaut Road (Lakeport).
• Highland Springs Road at Bell Hill Road (Lakeport).
• Highland Springs Road at Merritt (Lakeport).
• Parallel Drive at Highway 175 (Lakeport).
• Martin Street at Highway 29 overpass (Lakeport).
EVACUATION CENTERS
Mendocino College, Dance Room at 1000 Hensley Creek Road, Ukiah.
Mountain Vista Middle School, 5081 Konocti Road, Kelseyville (This facility is reported to be full.)
Twin Pine Casino, 22223 Highway 29 in Middletown.
ANIMAL EVACUATION CENTERS/ASSISTANCE
Lake County
Large livestock can be taken to Cole Creek Equestrian Center, 4985 Steelhead Drive, Kelseyville, telephone 707-279-0915; or to Helen Owens’ A1 Horse Programs, 18585 Guenoc Lane, Hidden Valley Lake, telephone 707-355-0121.
Animal assistance is being offered at the evacuation shelter at Mountain Vista Middle School, 5081 Konocti Road, Kelseyville.
Lake County Animal Care and Control urges people to try to keep small pets with them, as the shelter itself may need to be evacuated.
Lake Evacuation and Animal Protection has been activated and is evacuating animals. Call Lake County Animal Care and Control from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. at 707-263-0278.
Mendocino County
Redwood Riders Arena, 8300 East Road, Redwood Valley is accepting horses.
Mendocino County Animal Care, 298 Plant Road, Ukiah is accepting small animals.
Email Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Follow her on Twitter, @ERLarson, or Lake County News, @LakeCoNews.
Mendocino County River fire evacuations by LakeCoNews on Scribd