Overnight cooler temperatures and increased humidity have slowed the spread of the Park Fire, helping firefighters create more containment lines in Tehama County.
As of 11 a.m. Saturday, the Park Fire has burned 428,744 acres and destroyed 636 structures, according to Cal Fire. The fire’s containment has remained at 34% since Monday morning.
The Park Fire is California’s largest wildfire this year and the fourth-largest in the state’s history.
In Tehama County, the fire has burned over 376,000 acres, an increase of about 1,000 acres since Friday. It has also scorched nearly 53,000 acres in Butte County and about 113,000 acres in Lassen National Forest. The fire has also affected parts of Plumas and Shasta counties.
During a briefing on Saturday morning, Cal Fire officials said they expect fire activity to decrease throughout the day due to wetter and more humid conditions. A cooling trend starting this weekend and lasting into next week will help slow the Park Fire as temperatures drop below normal summer levels.
The improved weather will also help firefighters put out hot spots along the fire’s perimeter. Cal Fire said helicopters, air tankers, and ground crews are working together to fight the fire.
While the better weather will help control some areas, the fire continues to burn actively near the community of Mill Creek in Tehama County.
“The fire is burning in areas with heavy, dry vegetation,” Cal Fire reported. “Crews are working in hot conditions and deep valleys.”
However, a southwest wind expected on Sunday afternoon could make it harder to control the fire, with gusts of up to 25 miles per hour challenging firefighters’ efforts.
All evacuation orders and warnings have been lifted in Butte County. However, evacuation orders remain in parts of Tehama County, and warnings are still in place for some areas in Shasta and Plumas counties.
The Park Fire started in Butte County, just east of Chico, and is suspected to be caused by arson. As of Saturday, the fire has been burning for 18 days.