CLEAR LAKE - The bigger of the two Mendocino Complex blazes, the Ranch Fire has burned more than 300,000 acres and continues to threaten more than 1,000 structures, Cal Fire reports.

The Ranch Fire became the first California wildfire to reach the size milestone as of late Monday. It spread an additional 5,000 acres overnight to reach 305,490 acres as of 7 a.m. Tuesday. Containment of the Ranch Fire, which is the largest wildfire in state history, grew from 59 percent to 68 percent during that span.

Cal Fire has confirmed the first fatality related to the Mendocino Complex Fire. He was identified as Chief Matthew Burchett, 42, who was deployed to the California wildfires earlier this month, along with four other firefighters from Draper, Utah. He had worked with his local fire department since May and previously served 20 years with the Greater Salt Lake Unified Fire Authority.

The smaller River Fire reached 100 percent containment Monday, at a final size of 48,920 acres, and had no further movement, Cal Fire says. Together, the Mendocino Complex Fire has scorched 354,410 acres.

Story Date: August 16, 2018