Massive Ranch fire now two-thirds contained

The Ranch Fire, the wildland blaze in Lake, Colusa, Glenn and Mendocino counties which since July 27 has grown to become California’s biggest wildland fire ever, was at 67 percent containment Sunday, having now burned more than 402,000 acres, Cal Fire said.

Ranch Fire acreage has increased, Cal Fire said, owing mainly to “firing” operations – setting intentional fires with the goal of controlled burning of fuels that could otherwise contribute to a more destructive fire. Such firing is being concentrated on the northeast parts of the fire.

Full containment is estimated to be achieved Sept. 1.

The smaller River Fire, centered north of Hopland in Mendocino County, has burned almost 49,000 acres since July 27. It is considered 100 percent contained, but firefighters continue to work various areas of the blaze, Cal Fire said.

These two fires, together called the Mendocino Complex Fire, have left one firefighter dead and three injured, and destroyed 157 homes and 123 other buildings.