California's Lucas Fire near Mendocino National Forest grows to 3,476 acres; evacuations remain, tell me about this news in (https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/other/californias-lucas-fire-near-mendocino-national-forest-grows-to-3476-acres-evacuations-remain/ar-AA2c2qML?ocid=BingNewsVerp)
12-09-2026
The report covers the following key developments regarding the Lucas Fire:Fire Growth and Containment
- Size: The wildfire rapidly expanded to 3,476 acres after igniting near Potter Valley along the Mendocino–Lake county line.
- Containment: Containment remained low, around 5% to 10%, as approximately 1,000 firefighters contended with steep, remote terrain and limited ground access.
- Aviation Challenges: An inversion layer and heavy smoke initially hindered aerial operations, though air tankers and helicopters conducted retardant and water drops when visibility permitted.
- Evacuation Orders: In Lake County, mandatory evacuation orders covered multiple zones (including MNF-E016, MNF-E018, MNF-E019, UPP-E023, UPP-E025, UPP-E026, UPP-E027, and UPP-E030), particularly as spot fires threatened Bachelor Valley. Evacuation orders and warnings also applied to sections of Mendocino County near Potter Valley.
- Evacuation Warnings: Broader warnings were issued for surrounding zones in both counties, advising residents with livestock or those requiring extra time to prepare to leave immediately.
- Shelter: A temporary evacuation center and animal evacuation shelter were opened at the Lake County Fairgrounds (Baldwin Pavilion) in Lakeport.
- Mendocino National Forest Closure: The U.S. Forest Service implemented an emergency closure for a large portion of the Upper Lake Ranger District, shutting down forest roads, OHV trails, and campgrounds (including Middle Creek, Penny Pines, and Deer Valley).
- Weather Concerns: The National Weather Service issued a Red Flag Warning for Lake County and surrounding areas due to forecast gusty winds and very low humidity, raising the risk of accelerated fire spread.
- Cause: The origin of the fire remains under investigation.