A fast-growing wildfire broke out in Mendocino County, growing to almost 3,500 acres as of Friday afternoon.
The blaze exploded near the Lake County and Mendocino County line in Potter Valley, triggering evacuation orders in several areas, according to CalFire.
Officials said the fire began as a 10-acre blaze in a remote area with grass and oak. Due to the fire’s remote location, they said, the fire flourished and quickly grew. A time-lapse video showed a plume of smoke from the fire rapidly expanding over the course of hours.
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The blaze exploded near the Lake County and Mendocino County line in Potter Valley. REUTERS
Firefighters monitor the progress of the Lucas Fire near Upper Lake in Lake County, California, on Friday, September 11, 2026. REUTERS
Structures were quickly threatened at the head of the fire and in Bachelor Valley, forcing firefighters to take defensive measures. Night-flying helicopters assisted operations in putting out the fire.
Evacuation orders have been issued for zones MNF-E016, MNF-E018, MNF-E019, UPP-E023, UPP-E025, UPP-E026, UPP-E027, and UPP-E030. Warnings have been issued for zones MNF-E017, MNF-E021, UPP-E028, UPP-E031, UPP-E032, UPP-E035, UPP-E038, MEN-2POT08, MEN-2POT08-B and MEN-2UKV28.
Lake County Fairgrounds has transitioned into an official evacuation shelter, according to Cal Fire. It is located at 401 Martin Street in Lakeport and is being staffed by the American Red Cross Northern California Chapter.
Those planning on entering the Fairgrounds should enter through the C Street gate or the main gate off Martin Street.
There’s parking available and small animals are welcomed, but won’t be allowed to stay with their owners.
At about 2 p.m. Friday, the latest Cal Fire update said that the affected area by the fire had grown.
“The fire has been mapped at 3,476 acres by intelligence aircraft,” the update said. “An inversion layer and smoky conditions are hampering flight operations, but four Type 3 airtankers have now returned to the fire.”
A Red Flag warning was put in place by the National Weather Service for Lake County and the surrounding area on Friday afternoon. It’ll be enforced from 11 a.m. Saturday up to 11 a.m. Monday.
A part of the Upper Lake Ranger District on Mendocino National Forest in northern Lake County was also closed down around 3 p.m.
An earlier Cal Fire update said dozens of firefighters gathered to prepare an assault on the flames.
“Today temperatures and winds are expected to increase along with lowering humidity,” the update said. “Additional resources will be arriving to assist with this incident. All evacuations remain in place. Currently the fire is reported at 1099 acres and 5% contained.”
Smoke rises from the Lucas Fire near Upper Lake in Lake County, California, on Friday, September 11, 2026. REUTERS
The blaze triggered evacuation orders. REUTERS
The fire was only 5 percent contained as of Friday morning. REUTERS
The fire was only 5% contained as of Friday afternoon.
The cause of the fire is under investigation.
Lake and Mendocino County’s new blaze comes as two fires torch land south of them in Monterey County. The Timber and Plaskett fires have burned more than 55,000 acres.
The fires have disrupted businesses in the Big Sur area and closed large portions of Highway 1.
Air quality and smoke conditions for the area can be checked on AirNow.
There’s more information available on evacuation zones and road closures here.
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