Feliz

Feliz Fire Report - August 07, 2026

Fire Start, Size and Growth

Start Date/Time/Location: The Feliz Fire ignited around 3:39 p.m. on Saturday, August 1, 2026, near Feliz Creek Road and U.S. Highway 101 in Hopland, Mendocino County.
Size and Containment: As of August 7, 2026, the fire has burned 872 acres and is 90% contained.
Fuels, Growth and Rate of Spread: The fire initially spread at a dangerous rate through steep, rugged hillsides fueled by dry grass, oaks, and dense brush. Hot, dry, and windy conditions drove rapid expansion to over 800 acres within the first five hours before forward progress was successfully stopped.
Containment Efforts: Over the past 72 hours, fire crews have made steady progress, bringing containment up to 90%. Operations are currently focused on identifying and mitigating remaining hot spots, patrolling control lines, and ensuring public safety. All out-of-unit resources have been released. Early suppression efforts involved a coordinated attack using bulldozers, hand crews, helicopters dropping water, and planes dropping fire retardant.

Emergency Information

Evacuations and Sheltering:
Mandatory Evacuation Orders: All mandatory evacuation orders (which previously affected zones MEN-2HOP04 and MEN-2UKV29) have been lifted.
Evacuation Warnings: All evacuation warnings (which previously affected zones MEN-2UKV20, MEN-2UKV21, MEN-2UKV23, and MEN-2HOP01) have been lifted.
Curfew: No curfews are currently in effect for this incident.
Evacuation Shelters and Information: Temporary evacuation points at the Mendocino County Office of Education and United Disaster Relief Center are now closed. Large and small animal shelters at the Redwood Empire Fairgrounds and Plant Road have also ceased emergency operations for this incident.

Road and Infrastructure Closures:

• U.S. Highway 101, which was previously closed or reduced to one-way traffic between Highway 175 and the Hopland area, has fully reopened.
• Local road closures, including Feliz Creek Road at Mountain House Road, Hewlett Sturdevant Road at Highway 101, and Highway 112 at Highway 101, have been lifted as the fire threat has diminished.
• Motorists are still advised to use caution in the Hopland area due to the ongoing presence of emergency personnel and equipment.

For more information, visit:

• CAL FIRE Incidents Overview
• Mendocino County Sheriff's Office
• CAL FIRE Mendocino Unit (MEU)

Current Impact

Impacts:
Injuries and Fatalities: Five firefighters sustained minor injuries following a fire vehicle rollover on August 2. They were transported to a local hospital and released the same day. No civilian injuries or fatalities have been reported.
Structures Impacted: Damage inspections concluded on August 5, confirming that no structures have been destroyed. Firefighters successfully protected homes and businesses off Hewlett Sturtevant Road and Feliz Creek Road.
School and Business Closures: No ongoing major school or business closures are reported, though agricultural operations in the immediate vicinity experienced temporary disruptions during the fire's peak.
Notable Impacts: The fire burned down the hillside toward the Saracina Vineyards and winery, but the property was successfully protected by firefighting efforts.

Safety Concerns:
Power Outages: While power lines were initially threatened, no widespread, ongoing power outages are currently impacting the area due to this fire.
Water Safety: No specific water safety concerns have been reported, but residents on well water in the immediate burn scar should monitor local advisories.
Burn Bans: Standard seasonal burn bans and fire restrictions remain in effect for Mendocino County due to high fire danger.
Air Quality: Smoke production has significantly decreased as containment has reached 90%. However, residents with respiratory conditions should continue to monitor local air quality advisories.

Ongoing Outlook

Containment Projections: The fire is currently 90% contained. Firefighters expect to achieve full containment in the coming days as they continue to patrol the perimeter and mop up isolated hot spots. The release of out-of-unit resources indicates that the threat has largely been mitigated.
Weather and Wind Warnings: Current weather in Mendocino County is sunny with temperatures in the low to mid-80s and moderate humidity (around 36%). No Red Flag Warnings or High Wind Warnings are currently in effect for the immediate fire area, providing favorable conditions for crews to finalize containment lines.

Cause and the Role of Weather and Climate

Cause: The cause of the Feliz Fire remains under official investigation by CAL FIRE.
Weather and Climate: Extreme fire weather played a critical role in the fire's initial explosive growth. Temperatures in the low 90s, relative humidity around 20%, and northwest winds reaching 20 mph created "prime burning conditions." Local fire officials noted that vegetation has been drying out all summer, and recent heat waves significantly elevated the fire risk, allowing the flames to spread rapidly through the dry brush and oak woodlands.

For more information, visit:

• CAL FIRE Incidents Overview
• Mendocino County Official Website
• CAL FIRE Mendocino Unit (MEU) Updates