California Wildfires: Firefighter Dies In Mendocino Complex Fire

CALIFORNIA -- One firefighter died Monday while battling the Mendocino Complex Fire, the largest fire in California history. The announcement brought the fire season death toll to 11, with six of the victims being firefighters.

Cal Fire did not immediately release details or identify the firefighter who was killed only to say they were "saddened" by the news. An investigation will be conducted to determine how the firefighter died, officials said.

Tuesday morning, the firefighter was identified as Battalion Chief Matthew Burchett of the Draper, Utah Fire Department.

The death is the first in the Mendocino Complex Fire, which was 59 percent contained Monday after burning more than 300,000 acres. It destroyed more than 250 structures across Mendocino, Lake and Colusa counties and continued to threaten another 1,000 structures.

The Carr Fire, the deadliest wildfire currently burning in Shasta and Trinity counties, was 63 percent contained Monday after killing eight people. The blaze burned more than 202,000 acres, destroyed 1,500 structures and damaged hundreds of others. Officials said more than 500 structures remained threatened. Despite cooling temperatures, officials said steep drainages and dense timber continued to be the challenge in the fight against Carr Fire.

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Also in Northern California, the Ferguson Fire continued to burn in Mariposa County, one month after igniting. The blaze, which killed two firefighters, burned 96,000 acres but was 86 percent contained Monday. Officials said Yosemite Valley would reopen Tuesday after the wildfire prompted closures at the popular park.

In Southern California, containment increased against the Holy Fire in Orange and Riverside counties. By Monday morning, the fire was 52 percent contained after burning 22,000 acres. The arson suspect in this blaze was also expected to appear in court in the upcoming days.

A new fire sparked in San Diego County on Monday afternoon. The Cloverdale Fireprompted the closure of the San Diego Zoo Safari Park and evacuations of nearby homes. The fire burned 90 acres by 5:45 p.m.

--Photo of Holy Fire courtesy of Mark Ritter