Mendocino Complex fire now second-largest in Calif. history, officials say

The Mendocino Complex fire is now the secondlargest wildfire in California history, scorching more than 273,000 acres as it continues across natural and man-made barriers in Lake County, officials said Monday morning.

The Ranch and River fires, which make up the complex fire and may merge at Clear Lake, had grown to 273,664 acres by Monday, according to Cal Fire. The blaze was 30 percent contained at 7 a.m. Monday. Officials expect containment by next week.

The blaze is on pace to become the largest wildfire in state history, passing the Thomas fire, which burned 300,000 acres in Ventura and Santa Barbara counties last year.

President Donald Trump on Monday signaled he will fast-track federal help. He again falsely stated the California government is diverting river water into the Pacific Ocean that could be used to fight forest fires.

Officials said the Mendocino Complex fire has continued to grow by thousands of acres each day, even at night.

The fire has prompted evacuations in Mendocino, Lake and Colusa counties, though it has been less destructive to property than some of the dozen-plus wildfires burning across the state because it continues to rage in remote areas.

But the fire’s size and rate of spread is another signal of a devastating fire year for California.