Wildfires grow in Mendocino County

Despite dry conditions and above normal temps, crews were making progress toward containment Friday.|
GLENDA ANDERSON
THE PRESS DEMOCRAT

Fires burning in a northern Mendocino County wilderness area had grown to more than 650 acres as of Friday morning but firefighters were beginning to make progress in containing the blazes, according to Cal Fire.

The Lodge Complex fires in the Elkhorn Ridge Wilderness Area were 5 percent contained Friday morning, Cal Fire spokeswoman Julie Cooley said.

The two lightning ignited fires were first reported at 6:27 a.m. Wednesday.

Firefighting efforts have been complicated by dry conditions, above normal temperatures and low humidity, Cooley said.

More than 500 firefighters from Cal Fire, the Bureau of Land Management, California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, National Guard and Laytonville are battling the blazes, she said.

The effort on Friday also included six air tankers, five helicopters, 10 engines, five bulldozers and three water tenders.

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