The destruction of California's largest-ever wildfire, in 4 astonishing photos

California wildfire.
(Image credit: Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

California's Mendocino Complex fire, which this week became the largest wildfire in the state's history, has burned through hundreds of thousands of acres. Much of the land in California has been scorched in recent weeks as 18 separate fires continue to grow, only about 40 percent contained.

Years of drought have primed the state for some truly horrific blazes, and officials say the Northern California fire might continue to burn until September. Below, four photos that show just how breathtakingly destructive the Mendocino Complex fire has become. Summer Meza

Subscribe to The Week

Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

SUBSCRIBE & SAVE
https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/flexiimages/jacafc5zvs1692883516.jpg

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

Sign up
Explore More
Summer Meza, The Week US

Summer Meza has worked at The Week since 2018, serving as a staff writer, a news writer and currently the deputy editor. As a proud news generalist, she edits everything from political punditry and science news to personal finance advice and film reviews. Summer has previously written for Newsweek and the Seattle Post-Intelligencer, covering national politics, transportation and the cannabis industry.