Improving conditions on Mendocino Complex allow more evacuees to head home
- Elizabeth Larson
- Posted On
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Thousands of Northshore residents were allowed to return home on Wednesday as firefighters raised containment on the Mendocino Complex.
The complex’s acreage went up modestly during the day on Wednesday, increasing by 2,000 acres for a day’s-end total of 302,086 acres, Cal Fire said. Containment remained at 47 percent.
All of the growth occurred on the Ranch fire, now at 253,166 acres and 46-percent containment, while Cal Fire said firefighters continued to hold the River fire at 48,920 acres and 81-percent containment.
The Ranch fire portion of the fire is burning in the Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument, according to Mendocino National Forest spokeswoman Punky Moore.
There are 4,019 firefighters assigned to the incident, as well as 404 engines, 93 water tenders, 19 helicopters, 64 hand crews and 84 dozers, according to Cal Fire. Those firefighters include 41 from Australia and New Zealand.
Cal Fire has so far reported two firefighter injuries.
The count of destroyed and damaged structures increased on Wednesday morning as the result of an updated damage assessment.
Cal Fire said the count of destroyed structures is now 229, which breaks down to 119 residences and 110 other buildings. Structures damaged include 12 residences and 15 other types of buildings.
Because the fire continues to actively burn, 9,200 structures remain threatened, Cal Fire reported.
Cal Fire said the containment line holding north of Highway 20 allowed evacuation orders to be reduced on Wednesday.
As of Wednesday night, almost the entire Highway 20 corridor from Upper Lake east to Clearlake Oaks was repopulated and the highway was reopened, according to Cal Fire Incident Management Team 2 Operations Section Chief Charlie Blankenheim.
However, Blankenheim said a portion of Elk Mountain Road, along with Bartlett Springs Road, Mid Mountain Road and Long Valley Road remained closed because of still being in the burn area.
Spring Valley also remained under mandatory evacuation on Wednesday night. Blankenheim said they hope to reopen it within the next 24 to 48 hours.
The fire situation remains dynamic across the complex’s vast acreage. Throughout the night there were radio reports of small flare ups in areas including the west side of Elk Mountain Road at White Rock Canyon and in Scotts Valley, with indications that both were dealt with quickly.
Smoke from the fires continues to be an issue in Lake County, where conditions have been ranked as “unhealthy” to “very unhealthy,” according to the Lake County Air Quality Management District.
The smoke, which has entered the Sacramento Valley, also is causing health concerns there, with officials in neighboring Glenn County’ issuing an alert on Wednesday because of continued poor air quality conditions.
Reining in the Ranch and River fires
During a Wednesday evening virtual meeting, Blankenheim said it was another good day on the River fire, where all containment lines held and all interior islands of unburned vegetation on Cow Mountain – that had caused concerns for firefighters – didn’t burn.
Blankenheim anticipated containment on the River fire will rise to between 90 and 95 percent Wednesday night.
Wednesday also saw progress on the Ranch fire, where fire crews were able to strengthen lines above Upper Lake and Lucerne along Highway 20. Blankenheim said they did a lot of direct line cutting in that area, with that line expected to be completed by Thursday morning.
He said there were a few hot spots in that area which were worked with helicopters, and there was no fire movement.
Helicopters and planes continued to work the ridges in Lucerne on Wednesday evening as residents returned home.
Blankenheim said the Highway 20 corridor and the area above Potter Valley look very good.
In Colusa County, south of the community of Stonyford, Blankenheim said firefighters have put in direct line all the way back to Leesville.
He said there is one big area of slopover burning actively in Indian Valley, but there is dozer line around it and a burning operation under way, so he was optimistic that the fire there will be tied into the containment lines on Wednesday night.
In Long Valley, the fire has held without additional movement. Blankenheim said there is direct line around all of the fire there and they are mopping up hotspots.
In the Mendocino National Forest, Blankenheim said firefighters made good progress by using Goat Mountain Road to contain the fire. He said the Ranch fire has now moved into the scar of the 2012 Mill fire, where fuels are lighter.
Firefighters are now cutting line across Goat Mountain ridge and will do a firing operation overnight if necessary, he said.
Up on the Pine Mountain Project, Blankenheim said firefighters conducted a 1.5-mile firing operation Tuesday night, and expect to do another one Wednesday night. They also have line all the way down to the Eel River.
At the Wednesday evening meeting, Sheriff Brian Martin also reported making progress during the day.
“The repopulation effort, like many things on this fire, is a long series of monumental tasks to accomplish,” he said, noting his agency works closely with the incident management team.
He said they were working to get people home as quickly and safely as possible, with plans to continue making patrols in the fire area. Deputies spotlighting along Country Club Drive in Lucerne were seen by Lake County News staff Wednesday night.
Martin said an evacuated neighborhood is not nearly as safe as one where people are home and can look out for their neighbors.
He asked for the public’s continued understanding as the response to the incident continues.
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