This story has been updated with an statement from Cal Fire and the U.S. Forest Service.
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – A firefighter has died after sustaining injuries while battling the Ranch fire on the Mendocino Complex.
Cal Fire confirmed the firefighter death to Lake County News Monday evening.
In addition to the Monday fatality, two other firefighters previously were reported to have been injured on the complex, which began on July 27 and is now the largest wildland fire incident in California history, officials said.
According to radio reports, the firefighter was fatally injured on the Ranch fire portion of the Mendocino Complex, where in recent days crews have been engaged in a pitched battle to stop the fire and keep it from burning structures near Lake Pillsbury and advancing further into the Mendocino National Forest.
Shortly before 5:30 p.m. Monday, radio transmissions from the scene stated that a male firefighter had been hit by a tree and immediate medical assistance was needed.
Minutes later, the man was reported to be unconscious, with personnel doing cardiopulmonary resuscitation.
The exact location of where the man was injured was not stated over the radio, but medivac units were requested to Drop Point 15, located about six miles southwest of Lake Pillsbury, according to radio reports.
Retardant drops also were requested to stop in the area at around 5:40 p.m.
Radio feed traffic then abruptly cut out.
Cal Fire said additional information was not available early Monday evening on the incident, and the firefighter’s name has not yet been released.
In a statement issued just before 7:30 p.m., fire officials said the following: The Mendocino Complex Unified Incident Commanders from Cal Fire, and the United States Forest Service are deeply saddened to report the death of a firefighter on the Mendocino Complex. Fact finding on the accident is ongoing and notification of the next of kin is in
Progress.”
Officials said more information will be released as it becomes available.
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.
Firefighter dies from injuries on Mendocino Complex
- Elizabeth Larson
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