Current status of fires burning in Northern California and Nevada

Smoke from fires west of Lake Tahoe is expected to come into the basin again today, but Sunday morning is clear. Here is an update on most fires in Northern California and Western Nevada.

Mendocino Complex: The Mendocino Complex is comprised of two fires, the River Fire and the Ranch Fire and now make up the biggest fire area burning, having consumed 254,982 acres (Ranch Fire - 207,319 acres, 23 percent contained, River Fire - 47,663 acres, 58 percent contained). The River Fire is located northeast of the community of Hopland, and the Ranch Fire is located northeast of Ukiah, in Lake County and Mendocino County, California. The Ranch Fire is actively burning in the Mendocino National Forest north of Clearlake. 15,300 structures are threatened and 68 homes have been destroyed. There are several road closures and evacuation orders in place.

Carr Fire: Burning west of Redding, in Whiskeytown, this fire has burned 154,524 acres and is 41 percent contained. 1,080 homes have burned with 1,358 still threatened. Over 4,600 fire fighting personnel are working the Carr Fire. Steep drainages, wind, and dry fuels challenged firefighting efforts overnight. To date, two firefighters, one PG&E worker and five residents have died in this fire.

Whaleback: This fire, burning northwest of Susanville in the town of Spalding on Eagle's Lake is now 90 percent contained. Since starting July 27, the Whaleback Fire has burned 18,726 acres.

Donnell: Burning near Donnell Lake on Hwy in the Stanislaus National Forest, fire behavior has prompted several evacuations in the area. 1,750 acres have burned since it started August 1. Mandatory evacuation from Clarks Fork to the Dardanelle Resort and an evacuation advisory has been announced from the Dardanelle Resort to Kennedy Meadows. No containment numbers have been released.

Ferguson: The Ferguson Fire burning west of Yosemite is now 89,633 acres with 35 percent containment. 2,792 personnel are currently engaged on the fire which include 218 engines, 65 water tenders, 14 helicopters, 59 crews, 5 masticators and 29 dozers. There have been 2 fatalities and 11 injuries to date. 10 structures have been destroyed.

Lions: The Lions Fire is estimated at 7,494 acres with 60 percent containment. It is burning in the Inyo and Sierra National Forests in an area with 50 percent tree mortality from bark beetles and drought conditions. It is in the Fern Lake area, southeast of Yosemite.

Owens: The Owens Fire is located along the Owens River Road, which is east of Hwy. 395 in the June Lake area. Fire activity is minimal with dozer and handline completed. Crews continue mopping up. It burned 312 acres.

Hot Creek: The Hot Creek Fire is burning near Hot Creek, east of the Mammoth Lakes Airport. It started by lightning and burned 436 acres, and is now 98 percent contained. Evacuation orders of area campgrounds have been lifted.

Perry: Burning between Reno/Sparks and Pyramid Lake, the Perry Fire has burned 51,400 acres and is now 79 percent contained. Wind gusts of 59 miles per hour were measured near Virginia Peak yesterday. Despite the critical fire weather conditions, the Perry Fire held within existing containment lines. The wind did cause a great deal of blowing ash, smoke, and dust to limit visibility and prevent aircraft operations over the fire.