Thursday 8-9-18: Wild Fires and Air Quality continue to dominate the NEWS as the CARR fire in Shasta and Trinity counties continue to burn exceeding 176 Thousand Acres and destroying 1077 Residential homes. Containment is reported at 47% with full containment still reported at unknown.A Several areas have been opened for residents that were evacuated to return and that progress will continue today. The Mendocino Complex fire burning over 300 thousand acres and designated as the largest wildfire in the history of California is still listed as two major area fires, the Ranch fire, 81% contained with 118 residential homes destroyed, and the River Fire at 47% with containment to be complete by 9-1-18. These fires along with the Yosemite fire continue to pelt the Sacramento area with ash and smoke with haze forecast for the area into next week. There is a red flag weather warning starting at 2 PM today through 11 PM Saturday with strong winds gusting up to 35 miles per hour, prompting fast start fire possibilities and fast spread of any fire situation. The high wind area extends through the CARR and Mendocino fire areas and extends into the Sierra to the Nevada Border and includes the Tahoe and Reno Nevada areas. Extreme caution is being recommended.
