Park Fire engulfs more than 353,000 acres. ‘Favorable’ weather could slow its growth

With more temperate weather, the Park Fire’s flames have slowed but not before topping more than 353,000 acres in Northern California and becoming the seventh-largest wildfire in California history.

As of Sunday morning, the Park Fire has burned about 353,194 acres in Butte, Plumas, Shasta, Tehama counties and is at 12% containment, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection. The wildfire started on Wednesday in Upper Bidwell Park, east of Chico.

Firefighters got a better handle on the Park Fire on Saturday due to improved weather conditions, after it doubled in size before its third full day of activity.

In a Sunday morning briefing, Cal Fire officials attributed Saturday’s subdued weather to a layer of smoke that covered most of the area of the wildfire.

Thick wildfire smoke can block sunlight and lower temperatures in the area, according to research from the U.S. Forest Service.

“Looks like we have that again today,” Cal Fire’s Jeff Tomkins said at the briefing. “But smoke modeling and transport winds would suggest that the smoke is going to move to the north today.”

This means the smoke may thin out but even with clear skies on Sunday, the weather does look favorable, he said.

Jay Tracy, spokesman for Cal Fire, told The Sacramento Bee that firefighters are hoping to take advantage of favorable conditions to make a good push on firming the fire boundaries, specifically on the east and north side.

“They’re looking to go direct attack on some of the fire head,” Tracy said.

How much of Butte and Tehama has burned so far?

As of Sunday morning, about 52,850 acres have burned in Butte County and about 300,344 acres were claimed in Tehama County, according to Cal Fire.

Officials are using Fire Integrated Real-Time Intelligence System Program aircraft to assess the fire and map the acreage, Cal Fire said. The amount of acres burned is updated periodically.

Where is the Park Fire spreading?

One of the highest concerns is predominantly on the northern edge of the fire by Paynes Creek, Tracy said.

“They’re trying to keep it from getting into the gorge, just north of there,” Tracy said, referring to the Spring Creek area towards the mountains. “We’re trying to keep it contained there.”

Paynes Creek is a rural area in Tehama County with a population of nearly 40 people, according to the Census Reporter.

Evacuations

Evacuation orders have been issued to residents across Butte and Tehama counties.

Parts of Plumas and Shasta counties are also under evacuation orders or in warning zones issued by Cal Fire.

Lassen Volcanic National Park is closed due to the Park Fire. The park announced on X that campgrounds have been evacuated and reservations are canceled.

“The fire has potential to reach both Manzanita Lake & Mineral HQ. Hwy 89 through the park is open only for evacuation,” park officials said.