Mendocino wildfire almost fully contained

A 4-week-old lightning-triggered fire that burned 12,535 acres in northern Mendocino County is 97 percent contained, Cal Fire reported Wednesday.

Steep terrain has prevented firefighters from entirely quashing the Lodge Complex fire in the interior of the containment lines. It is expected to continue to simmer for an extended period of time and produce smoke in the Laytonville and south Leggett areas, officials said.

Sixty firefighters remain on the scene, mopping up and looking for hot spots, fire officials said. The fire caused 15 injuries and has cost an estimated $41 million.