Mendocino Complex Fire scorches over 157,000 acres, more homes evacuated

MENDOCINO, LAKE COUNTY, Calif. (KIEM) – The Mendocino Complex Fire is forcing more families to flee from their homes.

New evacuation orders are in effect as of Friday, by the Cal Fire Mendocino Unit.

Cal Fire Mendocino is sharing new alerts with haste on their Twitter, and Mendocino Complex Fire incident page.

This comes as the complex fire grows to a combined 157,250 acres, with at least 41homes destroyed, and 9,200 still threatened.

Following years of drought and a summer of record-breaking heat, immense tracts of forests, and grasslands have become perfect tinder for the wildfire.

Combined containment is down on the Mendocino Complex Fire as of Friday, from 39% to 30%.

Emergency evacuation and repopulation information is available, here.

The complex is forcing road closures, however one road is back open as of Friday evening.

As of Friday, Caltrans says SR-175 between Hopland and Lakeport is re-opened, after being closed since Sunday by the River Fire.

Caltrans says to drive with extra caution if you do take this route, as fire crews are still working in the area.

SR-20 is still closed from Potter Valley Road to Barlett Springs Road, just east of Nice.

SR-29 is closed from Park Way Road to SR-20.