Bay Area residents waiting for good news were standing by Sunday as firefighters inched closer to fully containing the SCU Lightning complex, the third-largest fire in recorded California history.
Almost a full month since the series of fires began after a freak dry lightning storm swept over much of Northern California, the SCU Lightning Complex was about 98 percent contained after burning up nearly 400,000 acres, CalFire officials said Sunday.
The August Complex, burning in Mendocino, Humboldt, Del Norte and Trinity counties, is now the largest fire in state history, having consumed some 877,000 acres since it started Aug. 16.
The record-breaking SCU blaze has injured four first responders and two civilians, while a total of 248 structures have been destroyed or damaged, officials said.
Dozens of firefighters were continuing to fight the blaze as material inside control lines “continue to ignite brush fields near the fire’s edge,” CalFire said, adding that the fire is expected to be fully contained by Thursday. The fire continued to burn along two “branches” Sunday after smaller blazes across parts of Alameda, Contra Costa, San Joaquin, Santa Clara and Stanislaus counties had merged together earlier to create the complex.
“Lack of humidity recovery above 1,500 feet will continue to allow for smoldering and creeping,” the situation summary said. “Temperatures moderating to conditions that should allow for suppression repair to engage in work projects. High fire behavior probability still present across entire complex for interior islands burning.”
The same abnormal lightning storm that sparked the SCU Lightning Complex also sparked the LNU Lightning Complex in the North Bay — three major fires that had grown together to char more than 375,000 acres. That blaze, spread across Napa, Yolo, Lake, Sonoma and Solano counties, was about 96 percent contained as of Saturday evening.
The LNU fire, the fourth-largest in recorded state history, had killed five civilians and injured five people, including one first responder. About 1,491 structures have been destroyed, while 232 were damaged.
The Hennessey Fire, the largest of the three blazes in the complex, had burned 305,651 acres and was 98 percent contained, while the Walbridge Fire charred 55,209 acres and was 96 percent contained. The third fire that makes up the complex — The Meyers Fire — has already been contained at 2,360 acres.
Meanwhile, the CZU Lightning Complex, the fire burning in San Mateo and Santa Cruz counties, was 87 percent contained as of 7 a.m. Sunday. About 730 firefighters were attempting to knock down the blaze, which tore through Big Basin State Park in August.
That fire had scorched about 86,509 acres, killing one civilian and injuring another. Officials said in a situation report that 925 residences were destroyed, with another 90 damaged. The flames had destroyed 171 commercial properties and damaged another 16, with total or partial damage to some 400 mine structures in the area.
Officials said there is minimal fire over the majority of the fire area, and winds are expected to remain light. Winds forecast to move in over the region beginning Sunday night can help clear away lingering smoke, but will also carry the danger of stirring up hot spots or even starting new fires.
“Crews continue to mop up and control hot spots throughout the fire area in an effort to support repopulation efforts,” CZU CalFire officials said. “Hazards, like compromised trees still exist in the area.”
