LAKEPORT (AP) — Authorities say a firefighter has been killed battling the largest record blaze in California history.
State fire officials say the firefighter died Monday at the site of the Mendocino Complex fire north of San Francisco. Details haven’t been released.
Six firefighters have now died in connection with a wave of massive wildfires that struck Northern California in the past weeks.
The deadliest wildfire, the Carr Fire, has left a total of eight people dead, including three firefighters.
Two firefighters have died fighting a fire near Yosemite National Park.
The Mendocino Complex — actually twin fires being fought together — has burned for more than two weeks. The fire has burned nearly 150 homes and about 547 square miles (1,415 square kilometers) of brush and forest. That’s an area larger than the city of Los Angeles.
There are almost 13,000 firefighters now battling 11 lathe wildfires. To date, these fires have consumed more than 726,000 acres and damaged or destroyed over 2,000 structures
With state resources stretched thin only a month into the fire season, help is pouring into California from around the globe and across the United States.
California is experiencing its largest and most destructive wildfire season on record.
A firefighting engine with two firefighters from the New Hampshire Division of Forests and Lands is on its way to help fight a wildfire in northern California.
The vehicle can deliver as much as 50 gallons of water per minute. It also can deliver water to areas difficult to access by larger firefighting equipment.
The firefighters and engine were scheduled to arrive in California on Monday to assist with the Mendocino Complex fire. Arizona National Guard to help fight California fires
The Arizona National Guard is sending a UH-60 Blackhawk helicopter and its crew from the National Guard’s 98th Aviation Troop Command to California to help with fight wildfires.
The crew reported for duty Monday to Mathers Air Force Base in Sacramento County.
The National Guard in California over the weekend called on the Arizona contingent for its help.
