Firefighter Dies Battling Ranch Fire In Lake County
LAKE COUNTY (CBS SF) -- Officials with Cal Fire confirmed Monday evening that a firefighter has died from injuries sustained while fighting the Ranch Fire in Lake County.
Cal Fire posted initial information about the fatality on its Twitter account at about 7:25 p.m. Monday night.
Mendocino Complex Fatality 8.13.18 #mendocinocomplex @MendoSheriff @MendocinoNF @LakeCoSheriffCA @GlennCountyOES @CAL_FIRE pic.twitter.com/ZipRF0vhzV
— CAL FIRE Mendocino (@CALFIRE_MEU) August 14, 2018
The firefighter was the first reported fatality from the Mendocino Complex. Two other firefighters had previously been injured fighting the fire.
According to reports by the Lake County News, the firefighter was struck by a tree while fighting the Ranch Fire in Lake County.
Cal Fire later confirmed more details, saying that it was a firefighter from Utah who was injured. The firefighter was transported to a local hospital where he succumbed to his injuries.
Cal Fire said the incident is currently under investigation.
The biggest wildfire in state history is now threatening homes near Lake Pillsbury in Lake County.
According to Cal Fire, the destructive ranch fire is still very active. The Ranch Fire and the River Fire are the two fires that make up the Mendocino Complex.
Combined, the two fires have burned about 538 square miles so far.
Six firefighters have now died in connection with a wave of massive wildfires that struck Northern California in recent 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.