'Significant Fire Growth' Anticipated In LNU Lightning Complex

SONOMA COUNTY, CA — Experts are forecasting erratic winds and thunderstorms Sunday that could stoke up the cluster of wildfires known as the LNU Lightning Complex. The blaze is the second largest fire in California history, scorching 347,630 acres in five days with 21 percent containment.

"Significant fire growth is expected throughout the rest of the operational period," Cal Fire said in a Sunday morning incident report. "Extreme fire behavior with short and long range spotting are continuing to challenge firefighting efforts."

Fifteen crews and 1,704 firefighters were working to put out the massive blaze complex, which continued to make runs in multiple directions, impacting several communities.

The weather forecast through Aug. 25 predicted dry lightning and thunderstorms, which could trigger an onslaught of high, erratic winds. This is potential for existing fires to grow and new fires to start.

A red flag warning is in effect today as another round of thunderstorms and lightning may sweep through the Bay Area. The LNU and SCU Lightning Complex Fires are already the second and third-largest fires in California history. @nbcbayarea pic.twitter.com/1A3pErfY1o
— Sean Myers (@seanwmyers) August 23, 2020

In response to the fire's rapid growth, Gov. Gavin Newsom federal support was requested from the White House and granted Saturday. The Presidential Major Disaster Declaration will help bolster the state's emergency response to fires burning in Northern California.

"California is battling two of the largest fires in our history and has seen nearly 600 new fires in the last week caused by dry lightning strikes," Newsom said Saturday in a news release. "These are unprecedented times and conditions, but California is strong – we will get through this."

Four people have died in the the wildfire, which burns burns in five counties including the Walbridge Fire near Healdsburg, the extensive Hennessey Fire in Napa County and the Meyers Fire burning north of Jenner.

So far, 871 residential and commercial structures have been destroyed with 234 structures damaged, according to Cal Fire. Around 30,500 structures are threatened by the massive fire. The agency is also reporting four civilian injuries.

Pet owners, as well those trying to protect livestock and evacuate other animals, were impacted by the fire's growth. Photos surfaced all over social media of veterinary technicians trying to save llamas and cows.

On Aug. 19, the Lucky One's Ranch, a nonprofit animal sanctuary, completely burned to the ground, according to Thao Le on a GoFundMe fundraiser, which had raised $2,490 in one day.

"We are now juggling with having our evacuated animals at seven different locations," Le said on the fundraiser's homepage. "We don't know where we are going to end up in the end of of this nightmare, but hopefully it's with everyone back together again."

As thousands have been forced to evacuate, other evacuation orders were lifted in Napa County, according to Cal Fire. Evacuations are no longer in effect for the following locations:

Cal Fire estimated that the 287,811-acre Hennessey Fire is 17 percent contained while the Walbridge Fire had no containment.

The Meyers Fire, just north of Jenner, has burned 2,360 acres and was 70 percent contained Sunday, a vast improvement from yesterday.

An evacuation map for Sonoma County is available here.

Hennessey Fire

As of Sunday evening, the fire had burned 287,811 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 51,072 acres with zero containment.

Meyers Fire

North of Jenner. The fire is currently 2,3650 acres and 70 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.

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