NorCal Fires Latest: Firefighters Edge Toward Containment

CALIFORNIA — The three catastrophic lightning complex fires that previously raged out of control around and outside the Bay Area had mostly been contained Saturday. As crews made progress, firefighters remained vigilant amid dry and hot conditions in Northern California.

A mixture of arid conditions and temperatures above 100 degrees are prime ingredients for what Cal Fire officials are calling "critical fire weather," expected over the holiday weekend.

The SCU, LNU and CZU Lightning complex fires were still the largest fires burning in the state Saturday.

SCU Lightning Complex:

The SCU Lightning Complex was 86 percent contained at 396,624 acres, and full containment is expected by Sept. 12, Cal Fire said Saturday.

Overnight, the fire continued to creep through areas of unburnt brush, fueled by the nightly drop in humidity and rising temperatures, according to Cal Fire. Saturday, fire crews continued to strengthen control lines.

A dry lightning storm on Aug. 16 sparked the SCU fires, burning in Santa Clara, Alameda, Contra Costa, San Joaquin, Stanislaus, Merced and San Benito counties. Two people have died and three people have been injured in the fires. The SCU complex has destroyed 105 structures.

The fire is the second largest wildfire in California history.

CZU Lightning Complex:

In Santa Cruz and San Mateo counties, the CZU Lightning Complex was 61 percent contained at 86,509 acres Saturday, according to Cal Fire. One person has died with another injured since the fires began Aug. 16. The fires have destroyed 925 homes, three multiple residential buildings and 174 commercial or mixed commercial buildings.

More than 7,600 structures remain threatened and about 1,800 people have been displaced from their homes. A resource and local assistance center for residents affected by the fires was opened at Kaiser Permanente Arena Pescadero Elementary School 140 Front Street, Santa Cruz 620 North St. in Pescadero.

LNU Lightning Complex:

The LNU Lightning Complex, burning in North Bay counties, had reached 89 percent containment by Saturday morning, at 375,209 acres, Cal Fire said.

Friday night, firefighters saw limited growth on the Walbridge and Hennessey fires, and many areas remain under an evacuation warning. As with the other two blazes, crews are continuing to work containment lines and fire suppression repair teams remain active.

Five people have died and four others have been injured since the fires were sparked Aug. 17 and spread across Napa, Solano, Lake and Yolo counties.

Nearly 1,500 structures have been destroyed and 1,350 remain threatened, Cal Fire said.

The blaze is the third largest wildfire in California history.

Bay City News contributed to this report.