# Lucas Fire explodes to 4,000 acres in Mendocino County

> A 10-acre fire in remote Northern California grew forty-fold in two days, and the weather forecast is about to make it worse.
- Title: Lucas Fire explodes to 4,000 acres in Mendocino County
- Summary: A 10-acre fire in remote Northern California grew forty-fold in two days, and the weather forecast is about to make it worse. The Lucas Fire went from 10…
- Keywords: wildfire, california, mendocino county, calfire, evacuations, news, entertainment, Lucas, Fire, explodes, 000, acres
- Source: California Post — https://nypost.com/2026/09/12/us-news/lucas-fire-weather-warning-issued-after-evacuations-in-mendocino-lake-counties
- Published: 2026-09-12T18:00:21+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: wildfire, california, mendocino county, calfire, evacuations, news, entertainment
## A red flag warning lands
The National Weather Service posted a red flag warning from 11 a.m. Saturday to 11 a.m. Monday across the area, citing heavy winds and low humidity.

> easier fire starts
## Ten acres became four thousand
The Lucas Fire started Thursday at just 10 acres. By late Saturday afternoon it had reached 4,008 acres, growing fast because of how remote the terrain is.
## Burning on the county line
The blaze is tearing through Potter Valley near where Lake County meets Mendocino County, and CalFire has issued evacuation orders across several areas.
## Crews fighting uphill
Firefighters worked the line Friday in high heat and strong wind, using helicopter water drops and retardant runs to slow the front.

> Firefighters faced high temperatures and strong winds on the fire line today
## Where evacuees go
The Lake County Fairgrounds is the official evacuation shelter. Part of the Upper Lake Ranger District in Mendocino National Forest closed around 3 p.m. Friday.
## Only 15% contained
Containment stood at 15% Saturday morning. Two more fires, the Timber and Plaskett, have burned over 55,000 acres in Monterey County.
## Key takeaway

The Lucas Fire went from 10 acres to more than 4,000 in two days, and a red flag warning through Monday means the hardest conditions are still ahead.