FORT BRAGG, Calif. — A firefighter was killed Monday while battling California's Mendocino Complex Fire, marking the first death in the largest wildfire in recorded state history. California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, or Cal Fire, Chief Sean Kavanaugh confirmed in a news conference late Monday night that a firefighter from Utah died from injuries sustained while "working on an active portion of the fire." The firefighter, who was not identified, was airlifted to a local hospital where he died from his injuries, Kavanaugh said, adding, "We are extremely heartbroken from this loss." A wildfire burns near homes in the Cleveland National Forest in Lake Elsinore, Calif on Aug. 9, 2018. Ringo H.W. Chiu / AP The fatality marked the 11th in an unusually dangerous fire season that officials described Saturday as "a siege." The Mendocino Complex fire, which began on July 27, includes two blazes, the Ranch and River fires, that have scorched nearly 350,000 acres across the rural northern counties of Colusa, Lake and Mendocino. The fire was nearly 68 percent contained as of Monday night and had destroyed 146 homes and 118 other buildings, according to Cal Fire data. More than 1,000 structures remain threatened. Thousands of fire personnel were battling the blaze using hundreds of fire engines, helicopters and dozers. "Today’s events are definitely a tragedy, and they’re not expected and they’re not wanted," Lake County Sheriff Brian Martin said. "But they’re a stark reminder of how dangerous this career is."<doc-sep>A firefighter from Utah died Monday battling the largest wildfire in recorded California history, marking the latest fatality in a fire season that has taken a grim toll on first responders. The firefighter was injured while working on an active portion of the Ranch fire within the massive Mendocino Complex blaze. He was flown to a hospital, where he died. Authorities said “fact-finding on the accident” is underway. “We are extremely heartbroken for this loss. We are dedicated to investigating what happened,” Sean Kavanaugh, a fire incident commander, said at a brief news conference. “We mourn as we also battle California’s largest wildfire that continues to burn extremely steep and remote terrain.” On Tuesday, authorities identified the fallen firefighter as Battalion Chief Matthew Burchett, 42, of the Draper City Fire Department in Utah. Advertisement By Monday evening, the Mendocino Complex blaze, made up of the Ranch and River fires, had scorched more than 328,000 acres, destroyed 139 homes and left two firefighters injured. It was 67% contained. Mendocino County Sheriff Tom Allman urged residents who have defied evacuation orders to leave. “These are very dangerous areas,” Allman said. “If this could happen to a firefighter, it certainly could happen to citizens. … Today, tomorrow and the next year, we will mourn the loss of a true hero.” The firestorms that erupted across the state amid scorching heat and bone-dry conditions have taken a devastating toll on fire crews. Full coverage of the California wildfires » A Redding firefighter, a bulldozer operator and a Pacific Gas & Electric utility worker have died during the Carr fire, which has destroyed more than 1,000 homes in Shasta County. Two more firefighters died while battling the Ferguson fire in Yosemite. A mechanic with the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection who had been assigned to the Carr fire also died in a vehicle crash in Tehama County. It has been an explosive summer in California, adding to a year of unprecedented fire destruction. Since last fall, thousands of homes have been lost and more than 40 people killed from wine country down to Ventura County. In addition to the lost firefighters, four civilians — including two children — died in the Redding fire. Advertisement The fires in July and August have been fueled by record-setting heat, which has left brush dry and highly flammable. The conditions have taken a particular toll on firefighters, who say they’ve been stretched thin as new fires keep breaking out. On July 14, Braden Varney, a heavy-equipment operator with Cal Fire, died in rugged terrain while fighting the Ferguson blaze. Varney was driving a bulldozer cutting firebreaks when the machine overturned. Two weeks later, Brian Hughes, captain of the Arrowhead Interagency Hotshots, was killed when he was struck by a tree while working with his crew to set a backfire — a tactic designed to limit a fire’s spread — on the east side of that same blaze. He was treated at the scene, but died before he could be taken to a hospital. Advertisement Then, as the Carr fire exploded into Redding neighborhoods on July 26, Jeremy Stoke, a fire prevention inspector, was killed. Authorities said Stoke “died while working to ensure the residents of west Redding had a chance to escape the flames.” alene.tchekmedyian@latimes.com Twitter: @AleneTchek UPDATES: Advertisement Aug. 14, 1:10 p.m.: This article was updated with the identity of the fallen Utah firefighter. 10:45 p.m.: This article was updated with statements from a news conference. 10:05 p.m.: This article was updated with additional details. 8:25 p.m.: This article was updated to reflect that the firefighter died Monday. Advertisement This article was originally published Aug. 13 at 8 p.m.<doc-sep>Firefighter's death in Mendocino Complex blaze is 6th this fire season originally appeared on abcnews.go.com The largest fire in California history turned deadly on Monday as a firefighter tending the blaze was killed. There were few details on how the firefighter died in the Mendocino Complex Fire, northeast of Ukiah, California. The fire is burning near the Mendocino National Forest, about 140 miles northwest of Sacramento. "The Mendocino Complex Unified Incident Commanders from CAL FIRE, and the United States Forest Service are deeply saddened to report the death of a firefighter on the Mendocino Complex," CAL FIRE sad in a statement. "Fact finding on the accident is ongoing and notification of the next of kin is in progress. More information will be released as it becomes available." Officials said the firefighter was from Utah and was injured while working an active part of the fire. He was airlifted to a local hospital where he died from his injuries. Firefighters monitor a backfire while battling the Ranch Fire, part of the Mendocino Complex Fire, on Tuesday, Aug. 7, 2018, near Ladoga, Calif. (AP Photo/Noah Berger) (The Associated Press) (MORE: CAL FIRE mechanic becomes 8th person to die in Carr Fire, officials say) The fire became the largest in state history last week, passing the Thomas Fire from December 2017 as it grew to over 283,000 acres. The fire has now grown to over 349,000 acres, but the Ranch Fire -- one half of the Mendocino Complex Fire -- is up to 59 percent contained. The fire season has already been a hard one for firefighters working dozens of fires, especially in California. A firefighter monitors a backfire while battling the Ranch Fire, part of the Mendocino Complex Fire, on Tuesday, Aug. 7, 2018, near Ladoga, Calif. (AP) (MORE: California man suspected of sparking massive wildfire interrupts 1st court appearance with bizarre outbursts) Two firefighters were killed in the Ferguson Fire, which began on July 13 in Mariposa County, east of San Jose and burning in part of Yosemite National Park. Brian Hughes was killed on July 29 when he was struck by a falling tree. Hughes was the second firefighter to die in the blaze after Braden Varney was killed July 13. “We are extremely heartbroken from this loss." California fire officials say a firefighter from Utah was killed while battling the #MendocinoComplex, the largest wildfire in state history. https://t.co/QIuEK79rz9 pic.twitter.com/ZmgviNdlKj — ABC News (@ABC) August 14, 2018 The Carr Fire has been the deadliest of the wildfires to hit the West this season. Three firefighters have died in the blaze, which started on July 23 and has burned through 206,000 acres and destroyed 1,077 homes near Redding in the far northern Shasta County in California. Story continues CAL FIRE officially lists two firefighter deaths in the blaze, though San Francisco ABC station KGO reported a third firefighter, Andrew Brake, was killed in a car accident traveling to the fire. Ed Bledsoe searches through what remains of his home, Monday, Aug. 13, 2018, in Redding, Calif. Bledsoe's wife, Melody, great-grandson James Roberts and great-granddaughter Emily Roberts were killed at the home in the Carr Fire. (AP Photo/John Locher) (The Associated Press) (MORE: Mendocino Complex Fire now largest in California history) Five civilians were killed in the Carr Fire as well, including a worker for Pacific Gas & Electric. Progress has been made, as the Carr Fire is now up to 63 percent contained, according to CAL FIRE. This year has been the deadliest for firefighters since 2008, according to SF Gate.<doc-sep>
California fire: Officials 'heartbroken' by death of firefighter The Mendocino Cimplex fire, the largest fire in California’s history, turned deadly again this week when a firefighter was killed on Monday, August 13. So far, there have been few details around the tragedy but officials said the firefighter was from Utah, USA. He was injured while working on an active part of the fire and was airlifted to a local hospital where he later died from his injuries. Cal Fire issued a statement, saying: “The Mendocino Complex Unified Incident Commanders for Cal Fire, and the United States Forest Service are deeply saddened to report the death of a firefighter on the Mendocino Complex. "Fact finding on the accident is ongoing and notification of the next of kin is in progress. More information will be released as it becomes available." The fatality marks the sixth firefighter to be killed in California’s wildfires this year alone. Eight civilians have also been killed in the blazes across the state. With more than 300,000 acres burned, the Mendocino Complex Fire is the largest in California’s history. California fires 2018: A firefighter had died battling the flames of the Mendocino Complex Fire California fires 2018: The fatality marks the sixth firefighter to be killed in California's fires The northern California fire was created when two smaller fires, the Ranch fire and the River Fire merged. The River Fire is now 100 percent contained, whilst the Ranch Fire was 59 percent contained on Monday morning. The fire has been driven by triple-digit temperatures but weather forecasters now say temperatures will slightly cool down, from as high as 100F dropping to the 90’s. Fire crews are working tirelessly in sweltering conditions, battling multiple fires. California fires: Map shows HUGE smoke coverage across US California fires 2018: Fire crews are working tirelessly in sweltering conditions