Mendocino Complex Fire Grows To 2nd Largest In California History

MENDOCINO COUNTY, CA -- In less than 24 hours, the Mendocino Complex Fire went from being the fifth largest wildfire in California history to the second largest, topping at more than 273,000 acres. The fires, which ignited more than a week ago, isn't deadly but has destroyed 78 homes and 68 other structures across three counties, fire officials said.

By Monday morning, the Ranch Fire was 225,000 acres and just 21 percent contained. The River Fire was 48,600 acres and 58 percent contained. Fire officials said more than 9,000 other structures remain threatened as tens of thousands of evacuated Californians wait to return to their homes or what is remaining of their homes.

More than 3,700 personnel are working to contain the blazes but terrain is making it difficult for firefighters to gain the upper hand, officials said.

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Elsewhere in Northern California, 4,700 personnel are fighting the 163,000-acre Carr Fire in Shasta and Trinity counties. That blaze, which was 45 percent contained Monday, claimed the lives of seven people and destroyed more than 1,500 structures.

In Southern California, a 1,000-acre blaze was burning at Camp Pendleton, just north of the city of San Diego. The fire was 50 percent contained by Monday morning.

--Patch file photo by Renee Schiavone