Mendocino Complex Fire Is Now The Largest In California History

MENDOCINO COUNTY, CA -- A Northern California wildfire exploded Tuesday to become the largest wildfire in state history, standing at 263,000 acres. The Mendocino Complex Fire, which officials said is nearly the size of Los Angeles, destroyed 75 homes and 68 other structures across three different counties.

The River Fire was 78 percent contained while the Ranch Fire was 20 percent contained as of Tuesday morning, but firefighters continued to be challenged by heavy fuel loads, low fuel moisture and high temperatures, officials said.

The blazes, which erupted July 27, continued to threaten another 11,000 structures, officials said.

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The fire is one of more than a dozen to burn across the state this week with the deadliest being the Carr Fire in Shasta and Trinity counties. The blaze killed seven people and destroyed 1,500 structures as it burned 167,000 acres.

In Southern California, the Holy Fire erupted Monday afternoon in Orange County, quickly burning 4,000 acres across steep terrain in the Trabuco Canyon area. The fire, which destroyed one structure, prompted evacuations in the area as firefighters worked to contain the fast-moving blaze.

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