Wildfire — Mountains Southwest Shasta County To Northern Lake County, California

2018-07-27 to 2018-07-31 · Mountains Southwest Shasta County To Northern Lake County, California

Event narrative

The Mendocino Complex Fire (made up of the River and Ranch Fires) spread across Colusa County, Glenn County, Lake County, and Mendocino County, becoming the largest wildfire in California history at 459,123 acres. The Mendocino Complex Fire was not contained until September 18. There were 157 residential buildings destroyed, 123 others destroyed. In addition, there were 13 residential buildings and 24 other buildings damaged. The fires caused at least $56 million in insured property damage. The city of Lakeport, communities of Kelseyville, Lucerne, Upper Lake, Nice, Saratoga Springs, Witter Springs, Potter Valley, and Finley, parts of Hopland, and the tribal communities of Hopland Rancheria and Big Valley Rancheria were evacuated. There was 1 firefighter killed (on August 13), 4 firefighters were injured.

Wider weather episode

Large wildfires developed across Northern California at the end of July during a period of high temperatures, low humidity and unusually dry fuels. A powerful fire whirl developed with the Carr Fire, creating significant wind damage to western Redding and rapid fire growth. The Mendicino Complex became the largest wildfire in California history. A state of emergency was declared at state and federal levels due to the fires.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 774723. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.