The Ukiah Daily Journal, June 29, 2008
Firefighters brought the Mendocino Lightning Complex fire further under control Saturday night with the help of additional resources, but the fire was continuing to spread.
As of Sunday morning, the complex was still burning in 60 uncontrolled fires and had consumed a total of 35,700 acres but was reported as 20% contained Sunday morning.
Additional firefighters and resources were added to the fire lines Saturday, bringing the total number to 1,127 firefighters backed by 93 fire engines, 33 water tenders, 31 bulldozers and seven helicopters.
President George Bush made an emergency declaration for Northern California due to the wildfires. The declaration clears the way for federal resources and money.
The declaration comes one day after California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger sent a letter to Bush requesting the designation. Schwarzenegger declared an emergency in Northern California earlier this week.
Evacuation warnings were still in place for eight communities Sunday but no areas had been added to the list. The Greenfield Ranch subdivision, which was under an evacuation order Friday night, was placed back on the warning list on Saturday.
On Sunday morning both emergency shelters in Mendocino County, at the Willits and Fort Bragg High Schools, were placed on standby. Red Cross officials have said the shelters have seen very little use.
Shelters on standby remain fully stocked and can be reopened if they are needed.
The current cost of fighting the fire is estimated at $7.09 million.
