Slight gains made on Mendocino County fire

Mendocino County’s forest fire, now at 4,800 acres, is burning toward Leggett and firefighters Thursday focused on cutting fuel breaks between the tiny rural community and the blaze.

No evacuations had been ordered as of Thursday afternoon, when officials held another daily briefing with community members to answer questions about the fire’s status.

By Thursday night there were 1,734 people working to suppress the fire, which started last Wednesday and so far is only 25 percent contained.

Firefighting costs have exceeded $7 million.

Known as the Lodge Lightning Complex, the blaze is one of several burning in Northern California. Most started from lightning during a stormy summer run in late July.

Mendocino’s is among the smaller fires, but containment has been difficult due to the extremely rugged and steep terrain, thick forest and brush and virtually no roads, fire officials said.

The fire front Thursday continued moving north and was expected to reach some lightly populated areas between Leggett and Cummings by Friday, officials said.

As of Thursday evening the fire remained 3-4 miles from Leggett, officials said. The rural community along Highway 1 is on the south fork of the Eel River and is known for its huge redwood trees, including a drive-through tree, its main tourist attraction. The community has about 100 residents.

“We’re definitely trying to hold it at the Eel River,” said information officer Robbie Richards of the City of San Marcos Fire Department, which has personnel on the fire, along with local departments from around the state. “It’s going to sneak through in places but that’s why we have a plan A, plan B and plan C.”

The fire started in the hills northwest of Laytonville, west of Highway 101. The rising temperatures and clear skies in the forecast could make firefighters’ job more difficult.

The National Weather Service predicted a high of 90 degrees today for Leggett. Winds were blowing in a northwest direction, which is the fire’s current path.

The number of structures threatened Thursday was 35, including cabins and homes.

Firefighters are now equipped with 157 engines, 32 dozers, 28 water tenders and 15 helicopters. Cal Fire reported two injuries but no details were available Thursday.

The dozers are cutting wide swaths through the forest and vegetation, creating fuel breaks ahead of the fire in an attempt to halt its progress.

The helicopters are using 350-gallon buckets to draw water from a few nearby water sources, including the Eel River, officials said.

No airplanes with fire retardant were being used Thursday.

The fire mostly is burning in federal wilderness but also has moved into adjacent private timber land and is threatening a UC Berkeley conservation property used for environmental studies.

Staff Writer Elizabeth M. Cosin contributed to this report. You can reach Staff Writer Randi Rossmann at 521-5412 or randi.rossmann@pressdemocrat.com.