Fire in Mendocino County becomes largest in state history
OAKLAND, Calif. (KTVU) - A fire burning in Mendocino County on Sunday became the largest blaze in state history.
The Ranch Fire, along with the River Fire, make up what is being called the Mendocino Complex Fire. Together, the two fires have razed hundreds of homes and buildings and chewed through more than 336,000 acres since they broke out more than two weeks ago.
The larger of the two, the Ranch Fire, was responsible for the fire's growth Sunday, making it the largest blaze in state history, surpassing last year's Thomas Fire in Ventura and Santa Barbara counties. It was 62 percent contained Sunday.
The smaller River Fire, which also started July 27, north of Hopland, also in Mendocino County, had burned roughly 48,000 acres as of Sunday, Cal Fire reported. It was reported as 93 percent contained, Cal Fire said.
Cal Fire said full containment for both fires isn't expected until Sept. 1.
More than a dozen wildfires continue to rage statewide.
In Lake County Sunday, a mandatory evacuation order was issued for those north of Highway 20, east of Lake-Mendocino Counties line, south of the Lake-Mendocino County line and west of the Lake-Glenn County line.
Officials say people should evacuate though Potter Valley.