Skip to main content

2024 WOR: Mendocino Complex – Incident Overview

 Day 1  |  Day 2  |  Day 3  |  Day 4  |  Day 5  |  Day 6  |  Day 7  |  Letter to Leadership

 

Mendocino Complex: Incident Overview

As Week of Remembrance 2024 embarks to honor the events of the 2018 Mendocino Complex, our thoughts are also and always with the Granite 19, who perished together on June 30, 2013. You are never forgotten.

Incident Background: The Mendocino Complex started on July 27, 2018, and eventually became the largest wildfire at the time in California history, burning 459,123 acres. When the complex’s Ranch and River Fires started, the Northern California Geographic Area was at Preparedness Level (PL) 3. One other large fire was burning in the region – the 28,000 acre Carr Fire, which went on to burn 229,000 acres in the neighboring county. The day the Mendocino Complex started, three other geographic areas and the nation were at PL 4, drawing significant resource demand. The next day that increased to National PL 5.

Fire behavior was consistently extreme and large fire growth was observed daily. On August 3rd a Fuels and Fire Behavior Advisory was issued for the fire area citing a fine fuel crop at 180% of normal, 1000-hr fuel moistures at record lows, and Energy Release Component values at record highs. On August 4th, the Ranch and River Fires ran 50,000 acres.   

Ultimately, several thousand firefighters from 34 different agencies would support suppression efforts, including the US National Guard, US Army, Australia, and New Zealand Fire. Two Type 1 Incident Management Teams (IMTs) were assigned to the complex due to its enormous size. However, instead of assigning each IMT to half of the fire with geographically determined boundaries, the teams operated out of the same Incident Command Post in Ukiah, CA and essentially merged into one IMT, duplicating IMT positions and areas of responsibility. This unusual organizational structure presented unique operational challenges for management of an already complex, evolving incident. 

It cannot be overemphasized how coinciding events in the regional fire environment contributed to a sense of tension and urgency during the Mendocino Complex. 2018 was recorded as California’s deadliest and most destructive wildfire season on record. Within days of the complex igniting, two firefighters were killed on the Ferguson Fire in Yosemite National Park. National political leaders visited fire camps throughout the state. The growing Carr Fire competed for suppression resources and in November the deadly Woolsey and Camp Fires ravaged communities preparing for the holidays.  

Bringing Forward Lessons Learned:  Although the chaotic backdrop leading up to these events may sound extraordinary, incident response in the modern wildfire environment is recreating similar situations with increasing frequency each year. In this broader context, the fire response produced two significant unintended outcomes: multiple firefighter injuries and a firefighter fatality on August 13th, and an entrapment with multiple injuries on August 19th. For the firefighters, dispatchers, pilots, and support personnel who were present, these events and what led up to them will remain unforgettable. Week of Remembrance 2024 aims to tell this story with integrity and respect, so that the Mendocino Complex’s lessons learned may be of value for the broader fire community to learn from. 

Discussion Questions:

  • Where were you in late July of 2018 when the Mendocino Complex started? 
  • As you remember it, what contributed to the atmosphere of this historic fire year? 
This is our history. Learn from it today. Use it tomorrow.

Resources:

 

6MFS Suggestion Form


Have an idea or feedback?

Share it with the NWCG 6MFS Subcommittee
 


Follow NWCG on X and Facebook
 


 

Last Modified / Reviewed:

NWCG Latest Announcements

EMC Memo 25-001: Interim Rapid Extraction Module (REMS) Training and Qualification Requirements

Date: June 3, 2025
Questions?  Please contact:
Emergency Medical Committee

The Emergency Medical Committee has issued interim guidance for Rapid Extraction Module Support (REMS) teams. Until further notice, Type I and II REMS teams must designate a team leader qualified at Firefighter Type 1 Squad Boss (FFT1) or higher. This temporary change replaces the Single Resource Boss (SRB) requirement, which is currently not feasible due to administrative barriers.

This memorandum does not include any other changes to the NWCG Standards for Rapid Extraction Module Support, PMS 552. This interim change takes effect immediately and will remain in place until further notice.

References:

EMC Memo 25-001: Interim Rapid Extraction Module (REMS) Training and Qualification Requirements

NWCG Standards for Rapid Extraction Module Support, PMS 552

Equipment Bulletin 25-002: Chaps, Chain Saw, M-2020, Nonconformities Affecting Use, Appearance, and Serviceability

Date: June 2, 2025
Questions?  Please contact:
Equipment Technology Committee

The Equipment Technology Committee issued Equipment Bulletin: 25-002 to address a manufacturing nonconformity affecting Forest Service specification, 6170-4K Chain Saw Chaps. The issue applies to chaps manufactured in 2024 and 2025 and distributed through FedMall. These chaps may have incorrectly bound edges that expose inner protective layers.

Independent purchasers should inspect all chain saw chaps received from FedMall beginning in 2024, prior to use. Review the full Equipment Bulletin: 25-002 for inspection criteria and recommended actions.

References:

NWCG Alerts

ETC Equipment Bulletin: 25-002

2024 Wildland Fire Emergency Medical Service Awards

Date: May 22, 2025
Questions?  Please contact:
Emergency Medical Committee

The NWCG Emergency Medical Committee (EMC) is proud to announce the recipients of the 2024 Wildland Fire Emergency Medical Service Awards. Each year, EMC recognizes individuals and groups who have demonstrated exceptional actions or accomplishments that go above and beyond their normal mission or job duties.

Congratulations to all the awardees and nominees. Through leadership and initiative, they have made significant contributions to the safety and well-being of the wildland fire community. These honors are well deserved.

References:

2024 Wildland Fire EMS Awards

NWCG Emergency Medical Committee

NWCG Welcomes the Incident Management Teams Association as an Associate Member

Date: May 21, 2025
Questions?  Please contact:
https://www.nwcg.gov/contact-us

The NWCG Executive Board is honored to announce that the Incident Management Teams Association (IMTA) has joined the National Wildfire Coordinating Group as an associate member.

IMTA is a dedicated group of incident management professionals committed to enhancing the profession by promoting standards and fostering collaboration across federal, state, local, Tribal, and private sector partners throughout all phases of incident management.

“Joining NWCG aligns with our mission to elevate incident management professionals nationwide,” said Dr. Randal Collins, President of IMTA. “This is a proud moment for all of us committed to advancing public safety.”

References:

Incident Management Teams Association

National Wildfire Coordinating Group