August Complex Fire Grows As California Fire Crews Struggle To Contain Fires

California fire crews continued struggling to contain the wildfires Friday thanks to the August Complex fire. The sheer size of the August Complex fire demands their immediate focus, spreading crews thin as they try to contain the smaller fires across northern California.

The August Complex fire began over a month ago as multiple, smaller fires sparked by lightning strikes across California’s Glenn, Lake, Mendocino, Tehama, and Trinity counties. While the fires in Tehama, Lake, and Glenn Counties were contained, the remaining fires converged and spread into Humboldt and Del Norte Counties over the following month.

On Sept. 10, the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection classified the August Complex Fire as the largest wildfire and complex fire in the state’s history after it had burned through over 471,000 acres.

The August Complex fire has now engulfed 824,118 acres and crews have managed to contain around 30% of the blaze. Despite the damage to the land, it has not been as destructive on some communities. Cal Fire said only 32 structures were damaged or destroyed but at least one person was killed from the fire.

The sheer size of the fire is also making it difficult to address the other fires across northern California and is spreading crews thin. Many firefighters said they are battling exhaustion, as well, often working nearly 50-hour shifts. They have to sleep in the nearest safe locations so they can be called back out if needed.

Some firefighters also have been either injured or killed fighting the fires.

The latest firefighter killed was reported on Thursday near Yucaipa battling the El Dorado fire, the wildfire sparked by a device used during a gender reveal party over Labor Day weekend. The cause of death is currently being investigated and the name of the firefighter is being withheld until next of kin is notified.

“Our deepest sympathies are with the family, friends and fellow firefighters during this time,” the U.S. Department of Agriculture said in a press release.

Despite the struggles caused by the August Complex fire, Cal Fire reported two of the other biggest fires going have nearly been contained. As of Friday, the SCU and LNU Lightning Complex fires south of the August Complex fires were both 98% contained.