Mendocino County's Lodge Fire grows overnight to 8,500 acres

Mendocino County's Lodge Complex fire grew overnight to 8,500 acres in the rugged hills around the Eel River south of Leggett.

The fire, which officials say was caused by lightning Wednesday, remained 30 percent contained Sunday morning, Cal Fire reported in a news release.

The fire has threatened nearly 60 buildings and caused the evacuation of a number of smaller communities on its eastern boundary. The Red Cross has set up an evacuation shelter at the Leggett School.

To date the blaze is blamed for 11 injuries, including eight firefighters on Friday who were defending containment lines on the fire's eastern flank south of Leggett.

More than 2,000 firefighters are involved in the efforts to contain the fire, with new personnel still arriving.

The fire is burning in remote areas of heavy timber and steep terrain.