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This simulation shows the Ranch Fire progressing from the start on July 27 until early on August 19 as a tentacle snakes out and heads towards the east.
Like a hydra, the monstrous Mendocino Complex refuses to die. Yesterday, the head raced towards the east forcing new evacuations in Glenn County. This weekend’s high temperatures and near single-digit humidity in the afternoons fed the flames.
The total acreage for the complex is now just under 400,000 acres. It is 398,862. The containment is 79%.
For more information on evacuations and road closures, click here or see the evacuation map below.
The Plan:
Twenty-three foreign officials visited the Mendocino Complex Incident Command Post in Ukiah on Sat. 8-18 as part of the USFS International Assistance Program. [Image and caption from InciWeb]
The Ranch Fire plunged to the east yesterday forcing new mandatory evacuations late last night in Glenn County. According to the notice issued, “The evacuation order includes all areas: North of Glenn-Colusa County Line, east of the Mendocino National Forest boundary, south of County Road 308, and west of County Road 306.”
According to Cal Fire,
Overnight the Ranch Fire continued to burn actively with increased fire behavior in the north and northeastern portions of the fire
area. …As westerly winds increase in the day, the fire will increase rate of spread to the east as it enters east/west aligned drainages. The warming and drying trend will continue with near single digit afternoon relative humidity.
No growth is expected now in the south half of the fire.
The River Fire is now completely contained. Total acreage on the fire is 48,920.
The Weather:
As the sun rises, the smoke hides the distant head of the Mendocino Complex which is making a run to the east. [Image from here]
The weather is still predicted to be hot and dry. However, firefighters are hopeful that a cooling trend this week will be helpful. Especially as winds are expected to be light during the afternoon.
The Roads:
All major roads are open throughout the Mendocino Complex. However, many smaller roads are closed so check Cal Fire for the latest.
The MAPS:
- Mendocino Complex Operations Map –to see details either zoom or click on the map and download a pdf.
Mendocino Complex Operations Map for August 19.
KMZ Map–Zoom for detail or for 3D imagery, click on the map and download a file that connects with your Google Earth program.
Mendocino Complex Heat Map August 18. There is no new one for the 19th or 20th.
Evacuation Map:
New Evacuation Map includes the orders issued late yesterday.
DONATIONS:
Earlier Chapters:
- Mandatory Evacuations for River Fire 4000 Acres / Ranch Fire Grown to 1000 Acres
- Thousands Without Electricity in Lake and Mendocino County as Major Wildfires Rage
- Mendocino Complex Devours Almost 25,000 Acres (Maps, Photos)
- Hwy 20 Closed as Ranch Fire Runs Out of Control
- More Evacuations as Both Fires of the Mendocino Complex Plow Deeper Into Lake County
- The Two Fiery Claws of the Mendocino Complex Squeeze Clear Lake and Its Communities (Maps, Photos)
- Kelseyville and Finley Area Ordered to Immediately Evacuate as River Fire Rushes Southeast
- The Mendocino Complex: Nearly 75,000 Acres Burned, 12% Contained [Maps, Photos]
- The Mendocino Complex: Still Burning Hot and Fast
- Mendocino County Fights Back Onslaught of Fires, But the Complex Grew Almost 20,000 Acres Yesterday
- The Mendocino Complex: Maps, Photos, Videos
- SR 175 Reopened in Lake County as River Fire Heads North
- Mendocino Complex Grew Around 50,000 Acres Yesterday [Maps, Photos]
- Marijuana Growers Arrested After Choosing to Water Plants Rather Than Evacuate, Says Lake County Sheriff’s Office
- Massive Mendocino Complex Now Fifth Largest in California History as It Jumps to Over 250,000 Acres [Maps, Videos, Photos]
- The Mendocino Complex Rolls Through New Land (Maps, Photos)
- Mendocino Complex Grows to 290,000 Acres Making It the Largest Fire in Modern California History [Maps]
- Mendocino Complex Is Now Over 300,000 Acres
- Hwy 20 Reopens
- Massive Mendocino Complex Slows But Red Flag Warning Weather Begins This Afternoon [Maps]
- Firefighters and Law Enforcement Keep Watchful Eyes on the Mendocino Complex
- Mendocino Complex Rolls Northward Taking Around 13,000 Acres [Maps]
- Fighting Flames, Saving Houses, Feeding Pigs…It’s All in the Job Description of a Firefighter
- Now the Largest Single Fire in Modern California History, the Ranch Fire on the Mendocino Complex Continues to Grow
- Tragedy on the Mendocino Complex; Authorities Announce Firefighter fatality
- Mendocino Complex Claims the Life of One Firefighter and More Acres
- Glenn County Issues Mandatory Evacuation Notices As Mendocino Complex Continues to Grow
- Name of Firefighter Killed on the Mendocino Complex Has Been Released
- Deadly Mendocino Complex Captures More Land Growing Over 9,000 Acres Yesterday
- Procession Today in Ukiah to Honor Fallen Firefighter
- Containment Rises to 76% on the Mendocino Complex
- Conquering New Territory, The Mendocino Complex Marches North
- The Mendocino Complex Slows it’s Rampage But Is Still Growing
- Mendocino Complex Grows Slowly and Firefighters Expand Containment
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simulation mentioned in caption doesn’t show up? thanks for your continuing updates–often the best source for exactly what’s happening where
You might have these blocked. Try going to http://www.simtable.com/apps/fireProgression/ and click 2018 and then the Ranch Fire on the map.
I wonder how often these dry grasslands should be burned in order to keep the invasive grasses from creating massive fires.
https://www.kqed.org/perspectives/201007090735/how-our-hills-got-golden
The North side of this fire is in forest fuels, not grassy areas. One “silver lining” of this fire is that it may burn up a lot of Sudden Oak death infected areas.
East of Snow Mt and St Johns there is a fair amount of bark beetle kill. This is a serious concern for fire containment.
Its eating up some really beautiful country. Hopefully a good portion of the older growth in the Snow Mt wilderness area will survive unlike the complete burn around Clear Lake when triple digits and high wind torched everything in its path.
What’s with the USFS International Assistance Program? I thought America didn’t need any friends, you know, just like nobody needs any friends like our luminary President Trump has said? Why are other countries sending firefighters halfway around the world as a gesture of friendship to the USA? Don’t they read the papers? What would Jesus do? That friggin’ Obama.