Mendocino Complex Fire Now Biggest In California History
After two fires combined last night, the Mendocino Complex Fire in Northern California has become the largest in state history; it’s ravaged 980 square miles as thousands evacuate. For perspective that’s the entire city of Boston laid out about 11 times, or appx. the drive from Los Angeles to Roswell, NM, or 27 life-size Barry Bonds heads lined up.
Wind gusts & flames bursting over 300ft have spread it over 290,600 acres in less than two weeks. To make matters worse, this monster fire isn’t the only one blazing in the Sunshine State right now.
From Fox News:
More than 14,000 firefighters are battling more than a dozen major blazes throughout California, state Department of Forestry and Fire Protection spokesman Scott McLean said.
Crews made progress over the weekend against one of the two blazes in the Mendocino Complex with help from water-dropping aircraft, Cal Fire operations chief Charlie Blankenheim said in a video on Facebook.
But the other one is growing after spreading into the Mendocino National Forest and then spreading south to Colusa County.
Meanwhile, a new fire erupted south of Los Angeles in Orange County on Monday and quickly spread through the chaparral-covered ridges of the Cleveland National Forest. Campgrounds and homes in Holy Jim Canyon were ordered evacuated. The fire sent up an enormous pillar of smoke and ash.
With 17 separate fires going, firefighters from New Zealand, Australia & elsewhere around the world are being brought in to assist. Glad the world has people like them.