Authorities warned that dry weather and heavy winds could contribute to the rapid spread of wildfire as a massive blaze scorched nearly 3,800 acres in Mendocino County.
The National Weather Service issues a “red flag warning” from 11 a.m. Saturday to 11 a.m. Monday over winds and low humidity, which can cause “easier fire starts” and “rapid spread of fire.”
The Lucas fire had burned nearly 3,500 acres in Mendocino County.
The warning takes effect as the Lucas Fire raged near the Lake County and Mendocino County line in Potter Valley, triggering evacuation orders in several areas, according to CalFire.
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A firefighting helicopter drops water on the Lucas Fire Friday. REUTERS
Authorities warned that dry weather and heavy winds could contribute to the rapid spread of wildfire. Stephen Lam/San Francisco Chronicle via AP
The blaze fire began as a 10-acre fire on Thursday and exploded in size due to its remote location.
“Firefighters faced high temperatures and strong winds on the fire line today, working in challenging conditions to protect communities and slow the fire’s spread,” CalFire said in a update early Friday evening.
The fire triggered numerous evacuation orders in the area, with the Lake County Fairgrounds acting as an official evacuation shelter.
A firefighting airplane drops fire retardant in the path of the Lucas Fire on Friday. REUTERS
The Lucas Fire burns in the hills in Upper Lake on Friday. REUTERS
Firefighters clear brush to slow the spread of the Lucas Fire. REUTERS
A part of the Upper Lake Ranger District on Mendocino National Forest in northern Lake County was closed around 3 p.m. Friday.
The fire remained 15% contained as of Saturday morning.
The blaze spread as two other wildfires burned in Monterey County in the Bay Area.
The Timber and Plaskett fires have together burned more than 55,000 ac