State firefighters gained progress in their attempt to contain Northern California’s biggest wildfire while preventing it from spreading any further early Thursday, officials said.
The land burned by the Park Fire remained at 429,623 acres, but its containment increased to 45%, according to Cal Fire. The fire’s spread has stalled since Monday.
According to Cal Fire, crews held the fire inside the control lines despite warm, dry conditions and gusty winds. They continued to reinforce containment lines around hot spots and deep drainages.
The Park Fire has not injured anyone but has destroyed 641 structures — 428 in Butte County and 213 in Tehama County. Another 52 buildings in those two counties have been destroyed.
It also has charred 113,744 acres within Lassen National Forest.
Temperatures were expected to rise into the mid 90s in the area of the fire on Thursday, and humidity is higher. Wind gusts were expected to be lighter, according to weather forecasts.
Evacuation orders remained in effect for parts of Tehama County, while warnings also were still in place in Tehama, Butte and Plumas counties. The areas in the southern part of the blaze have begun the repopulation process.
Firefighters also gained ground significant process on the Crozier Fire in El Dorado County, which grew to 84% containment by Thursday morning. That fire has scorched 1,938 acres since starting on Aug. 6.
Even as crews gained on those two fires, another wildfire in Northern California continued to burn without any containment. The Boise Fire in Humboldt County has burned 8,617 acres and was 0% contained on Wednesday night. Cal Fire did not have an update on the blaze immediately early Thursday.
Please check back for updates.
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