Cooler weather is anticipated to bring wind gusts that could exacerbate the flames, as per officials.
The Park fire—currently the largest wildfire in California and burning through Northern California—has expanded to almost 671 square miles, predominantly in Tehama County. Firefighters are facing challenges from winds and weather conditions as they work to contain it.
By Monday afternoon, the fire was 38 percent contained, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Management (Cal Fire).
Some parts of the extensive burn area are now safe for some residents to return to their homes in Butte, Tehama, Shasta, and Plumas counties, authorities confirmed. However, evacuation orders and warnings are still in place in certain areas.
Overnight, firefighters managed to contain the fire within its existing boundary in the Lassen National Forest. Crews engaged in a direct attack on the flames near control lines, with support from aircraft, according to national forest officials.
Firefighters are expected to continue their aggressive containment efforts in the forest on Monday, including the removal of hazardous trees in the vicinity.
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Several of the nearly 6,000 firefighting personnel dedicated to the fire were mopping up areas already burned by the blaze, involving the removal of brush and trees and extinguishing any burning or smoldering material along containment lines.
By Monday afternoon, cooler temperatures were expected in the area, along with wind gusts ranging from 24 to 27 miles per hour. Fire officials warned that this could lead to increased fire activity.
“We’ve got some atmospheric instability that can lead to active and erratic fire behavior,” said Jan Smoots, a fire behavior analyst for Cal Fire, in the Monday morning update.
Smoots added that the fire could spread to dry areas in the valley and heavy timber in the mountainous region, potentially causing flare-ups and intense heat along the line.
The fire, which was caused by arson, has resulted in the destruction of 641 houses or buildings, with 52 other structures damaged, according to authorities.
Crozier Fire
A slow-burning fire in El Dorado County—the Crozier fire—remained at about 3 square miles on Monday, with firefighters achieving 36 percent containment of its perimeter.
The fire started on Aug. 6 and continues to burn in a remote mountainous area approximately 50 miles west of Lake Tahoe.
As of Monday, about 1,800 fire personnel have been assigned to combat the fire.
On Monday, Cal Fire reported that minimal burning activity was observed overnight, with smoldering trees, downed snags, and pockets of brush still burning within the established perimeter.
Fire officials expressed concern about the large amount of nearby brush that remains, posing a significant threat.
However, improving weather conditions and a gradual cooling trend in the area are expected to aid firefighters in mop-up operations and further containment of the fire.
The El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office allowed residents of Georgetown, Garden Valley, Volcanoville, and Quintet to return to their homes after evacuating them last week.
Residents of Mosquito and Swansboro were also permitted to return to their communities on Monday, according to Cal Fire.
The cause of the fire is still under investigation.
