Mendocino Complex Fire now second-largest in California history

Aug. 6 (UPI) -- One of the 17 major wildfires burning in California, the Mendocino Complex Fire grew to be the second-largest wildfire in the state's history Monday, officials said.

The River and Ranch fires, which together form the Mendocino Complex Fire in Northern California, were burning more than 273,000 acres Monday afternoon with a total containment of 30 percent, an interagency team of fire officials said.

The Ranch Fire was 225,001 acres with 21 percent containment and the River Fire was 48,663 acres with 58 percent containment.

Together, the fires haves destroyed 75 homes and 68 other structures, while threatening more than 9,300 others.

Meanwhile, firefighters are battling more than a dozen other major fires amid California's hot and dry weather. One, the Carr Fire, was still active in Shasta County. Officials said it killed a Pacific Gas and Electric Co. employee Saturday in the Whiskeytown National Recreation Area, bringing the death toll to seven.

Six other people, including two firefighters, have been killed by the Carr Fire, which has grown into the state's seventh-most destructive fire in California history. As of Monday, that fire burned through 163,000 acres and destroyed more than 1,000 homes. It was 45 percent contained.

The Ferguson Fire near Yosemite National Park has killed two and has charred about 91,000 acres. It was 38 percent contained.

The other fires are the Eagle Fire, Georges Fire, Wagner Fire, Tarina Fire, Cranston Fire, Parrots Fire, Whaleback Fire, Valley Fire, Horse Creek Fire, Garner Complex, Natchez Fire, Eel Fire, Lions Fire, Owens Fire and Donnell Fire.

Over the weekend, the White House approved California's request for federal money to help residents recover.

"This is part of a trend -- a new normal -- that we've got to deal with," Gov. Jerry Brown said.