A wildfire reported Friday on private land in Mendocino County was identified as the Willow Fire. It was first reported at 2:23 p.m. on September 18, according to information cited by The Sacramento Bee from the National Interagency Fire Center. The cause was undetermined.
The Lucas Fire near the Mendocino-Lake county line burned 4,128 acres.
A new ignition during an active fire season
The new fire adds to the workload for agencies operating across a region where large wildfires have repeatedly affected Mendocino County. The Willow Fire’s initial report does not establish whether it will expand, threaten structures or require evacuations; those questions depend on subsequent field assessments and official incident updates.
The broader fire picture is mixed. Nationally, 8,238,284 acres had burned by August 31, 2026—166% of the previous 10-year average—with 52,253 wildfires reported, or 126% of average, according to the National Interagency Fire Center.
Northern California's fire picture provides background but does not indicate how the Willow Fire will behave.
What remains unknown
No confirmed acreage, containment percentage or cause was available for the Willow Fire in the initial report. Residents should rely on updates from local emergency officials and fire agencies for any evacuation, road or safety instructions as more information becomes available.
