Mendocino Complex Fire was the largest recorded fire complex in California history . It was a large complex of two wildfires , the River Fire and Ranch Fire , which burned in Mendocino , Lake , Colusa , and Glenn Counties in the U.S. State of California , with the Ranch Fire being California 's single-largest recorded wildfire . The Ranch Fire burned eight miles northeast of Ukiah , and the River Fire burned six miles north of Hopland , to the south of the larger Ranch Fire . First reported on July 27 , 2018 , both fires burned a combined total of , before they were collectively 100 % contained on September 18 ; the Ranch Fire alone burned , surpassing the Thomas Fire to become the single-largest modern California wildfire . The Ranch Fire also surpassed the size of the 315,577-acre Rush Fire , which burned across California and Nevada , as well as the Santiago Canyon Fire of 1889 , which was previously believed to have been California 's all-time largest wildfire . The fires collectively destroyed 280 structures while damaging 37 others ; causing at least $ 267 million ( 2018 USD ) in damages , including $ 56 million in insured property damage and $ 201 million ( 2018 USD ) in fire suppression costs . The city of Lakeport , communities of Kelseyville , Lucerne , Upper Lake , Nice , Saratoga Springs , Witter Springs , Potter Valley , and Finley , parts of Hopland , and the tribal communities of Hopland Rancheria and Big Valley Rancheria were evacuated
Santiago Canyon Fire
Santiago Canyon Fire
Mendocino Complex Fire