6 Confirmed Dead In Mendocino Co. Firestorm

MENDOCINO COUNTY, CA – Six fatalities were reported Wednesday evening in the Redwood and Potter fires, collectively called Mendocino Lake Complex, according to Alisha Herring, a Cal Fire spokesperson.

The deadly blaze resulted in at least 7,000 evacuations and consumed 29,500 acres with containment at 5 percent, according to officials.

No details on the cases were released.

The nearby Sulphur Fire in Lake County, off Highway 20 and Sulphur Bank Road in Clearlake Oaks, was last listed as 40 percent contained with 2,500 scorched acres, Cal Fire said.

"Crews are keeping a close watch on the weather, with an expectation that gusty winds will return this afternoon," the agency said Wednesday morning.

Watch: Bad Weather Conditions Threaten California Wildfire Efforts

One death and two "serious injuries" initially were reported Monday in the Mendocino County blazes, which broke out Sunday night in the Mendocino National Forest regions, north of Highway 20, west of the forest and south of Black Bart. Cal Fire's latest news said the fatalities were updated to three. No additional details were released.

Evacuation centers in the area are at Ukiah High School, 1000 Low Gap Rd, Ukiah; Willits High School,
299 N Main St., Willits; and Hopland Band of Pomo Indians, 3000 Shanel Rd., Hopland.

An animal shelter for large animals is at Redwood Empire Fairgrounds, 1055 N State St, Ukiah, CA (East Entrance).

Also burning in Lake County was the Ridge Fire, in the Clearlake area, with 87 acres burned and containment at 100 percent Wednesday morning, Cal Fire said.

The agency reminds locals to "please be prepared to evacuate when asked."

ALSO SEE:

• Napa County Fires: More Evacuations Ordered

• Garden Fire: Spread Thwarted On New Blaze In Nevada County

• Atlas Fire Threatens Solano County; Evacuations Under Way

--Images via Mendocino Sheriff's office