California is still being ravaged by wildfires. One of the blazes almost doubled in size over the weekend. It is not the fourth largest wildfire in the massive state’s history.
Fortunately, no one has been injured in the Mendocino Complex Fire, which consists of two fires, the Ranch Fire and the River Fire. It is burning around Clear Lake, in Northern California.
Now that they are united, they form the biggest blaze that California firefighters are currently battling. Altogether, the Mendocino Complex Fire has burned 266,982 acres. It grew about 70% over the weekend. As of Sunday night, it was only 33% contained.
Mendocino Complex Current Evacuation Map as of 8.5.18 / 9:11 a.m. #mendocinocomplex @MendoSheriff @lakecosheriffCA @mendocinonf @glenncountyoes pic.twitter.com/6oqZUcVGI4
— CAL FIRE Mendocino (@CALFIRE_MEU) August 5, 2018
This is now just one of 17 major fires that are burning in the hot, dry and windy conditions. A little farther north from this record setting fire in Shasta County, the Carr Fire claimed its seventh victim on Saturday. A Pacific Gas & Electric worker died while working with a crew to restore power, utility spokesman J.D. Guidi said.
The White House approved a disaster declaration for Shasta County, allowing affected residents from the Carr Fire to apply for federal disaster assistance such as temporary housing, home repairs and other programs.
President Donald Trump blamed the state’s environmental laws for the wildfires.
“California wildfires are being magnified & made so much worse by the bad environmental laws which aren’t allowing massive amount of readily available water to be properly utilized,” he tweeted Sunday. “It is being diverted into the Pacific Ocean. Must also tree clear to stop fire spreading!”
California wildfires are being magnified & made so much worse by the bad environmental laws which aren’t allowing massive amount of readily available water to be properly utilized. It is being diverted into the Pacific Ocean. Must also tree clear to stop fire spreading!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 5, 2018
It is not clear what California laws Trump was referring to.
“Battling these relentless fires requires a Herculean effort,” California Gov. Jerry Brown had written in his request to Trump for a presidential major disaster declaration.
More than 14,000 firefighters are battling the wildfires across California. It’s gotten to the point that fire crews from Australia and New Zealand are coming to the state to help.
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