Mendocino Lake Complex Fires: 8 Fatalities; 34K Acres Destroyed

MENDOCINO COUNTY, CA – The Mendocino Lake Complex fires, burning as the Redwood and Potter fires in Mendocino County and the Sulphur Fire in Lake County, consumed roughly 34,600 acres as of Thursday morning with some advancement in containment, according to Cal Fire.

The death toll, which stood at six Wednesday evening, grew to eight on Thursday in the massive blazes, with the first fatality reported Monday. No details yet were released on the victims.

The Redwood and Potter fires, which broke out Sunday night in the Mendocino National Forest regions, north of Highway 20, west of the forest and south of Black Bart, as of Thursday morning consumed 32,100 acres with containment holding steady at 5 percent, according to Cal Fire.

"There have been six fatalities and approximately 8,000 people have evacuated throughout the incident," the agency said. "We ask the public to exercise caution and remember to be prepared to evacuate when asked."

The Sulphur Fire in Lake County, off Highway 20 and Sulphur Bank Road in Clearlake Oaks, was last listed as 45 percent contained, up from 40 percent Wednesday, with 2,500 scorched acres, Cal Fire said.

In the Mendocino Lake Complex fire battle, Cal Fire today said: "Today firefighters will continue to evaluate and implement structure defense as well as construct and improve containment lines. Damage Inspection teams will continue to assess areas affected by the fire.

"The fire continues to burn in multiple directions threatening numerous communities and infrastructure. Steep inaccessible terrain coupled with critical fuel moistures, and northwest winds will provide challenges for crews working on the fire."

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."

To learn more about wildfire preparedness, visit www.readyforwildfire.org www.readyforwildfire.org.

• ALSO SEE: Northern California Wildfires: In Apocalyptic Scene, A Sign Of Life

--Image of fire-damaged communications equipment via Mendocino Sheriff's Office