LNU Lightning Complex Fire Is 3rd Largest In CA History

SONOMA COUNTY, CA — By Saturday night, the wildfires collectively known as the LNU Lightning Complex scorched more than 314,207 acres, becoming the third largest fire in state history.

The blazes burning in five counties include the Walbridge Fire near Healdsburg, the massive Hennessey Fire in Napa County, and the Meyers Fire burning north of Jenner. Four people have died in the blazes — three in Napa County and one in Solano, according to Cal Fire. Livestock also perished as ranch owners had to evacuate on short notice. Thousands more have been forced to flee their homes.

With 15 percent containment reported Saturday night, the complex of wildfires has destroyed at least 480 structures, damaged 125, and was still threatening 30,500 more.

CalFire estimates that the 271,714-acre Hennessey Fire is 17 percent contained while the Walbridge and Meyers blazes have no containment.

Firefighting forces are stretched thin by the perfect storm of massive simultaneous blazes. Some residents have teamed up to fight the encroaching flames together.

In Napa County, residents used their own hoses and chainsaws to help save a neighbor's home, ABC News Reported.

"This is a community. This isn't the first fire, so yes of course, I know that everybody pitches in and it doesn't matter whether it's your property or not," Napa County resident Flynn McDonald told ABC News.

Fire officials warned that the Lightning Complex fires would continue to spread over the weekend, threatening more communities.

"Extreme fire behavior with short and long range spotting are continuing to challenge firefighting efforts," according to CalFire. "Fires continue to make runs in multiple directions and impacting multiple communities. Multiple fires have merged on the north side of Lake Berryessa into the Hennessey Fire, and continue to actively burn with critical spreads and is moving into large areas of timber."

Hennessey Fire

As of Saturday morning, the fire had burned 271,714 acres and was 17 percent contained. It includes several wildfires that have merged, including the Gamble, Green, Aetna, Markley, Spanish, Morgan, Round fires.

Walbridge Fire

The Walbridge Fire had merged with the Stewarts. Burning west of Healdsburg, the fire is currently 50,069 acres and 0 percent contained.

Meyers Fire

North of Jenner. The fire is currently 2,345 acres and 0 percent contained.

EVACUATIONS

Cal Fire issued more mandatory evacuation orders across several counties, as well as evacuation warnings. See the most recent Cal Fire evacuation updates for your county here.

• ALSO SEE: More Air Tankers Brought To Fight Walbridge Fire In Sonoma County

RELATED COVERAGE:

• LNU Lightning Complex Fires: Sonoma County Latest
• 4 Fatalities Reported In Napa Lightning Complex Fires
• PG&E Employee Dies Assigned To LNU Lightning Complex Fire
• Lightning Complex Fires Spread To Vacaville, Solano County
• Napa County Hennessey Fire Burns 100,000 Acres: Lightning Complex
• Thousands Flee Sonoma County Wildfires
• 2 Wildfires Burn In Sonoma County; Mandatory Evacuations Ordered
• Napa County Lightning Complex Fires Latest: More Evacuations

Patch Staffer Maggie Fusek contributed to this report.