Park Fire size drops Wednesday afternoon as the blaze still burns in eastern Tehama County

2:30 p.m. Wednesday: Park Fire size downgraded

Cal Fire decreased the size of the Park Fire to 422,924 acres on Wednesday afternoon.

Containment on the fire is still at 34%.

11:30 a.m. Wednesday: Park Fire tops 425,000 acres, containment stagnant

Cal Fire said the Park Fire has grown about 5,000 acres since its early morning update.

As of 11 a.m. Wednesday, the fire has burned 425,725 acres.

Containment remains at 34%, Cal Fire said.

"Some evacuation warnings have been upgraded in the area east of Mill Creek. Repopulation is also occurring in the lower portion of the fire. Please remain diligent as crews and equipment are working in those areas. Stay alert as evacuation updates remain dynamic," Cal Fire said.

10 a.m. Wednesday: Fire grows about 200 acres overnight

Driven by hot and dry conditions, the Park Fire on Tuesday night continued to be a threat in eastern Tehama County, torching thousands of acres more just south of the mountain town of Mineral.

The fire grew by about 200 acres overnight, officials said Wednesday.

Since Monday night, the fire has grown by about 18,000 acres to 420,827 acres, or 657, square miles, the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection said Wednesday morning. Containment has not changed since the weekend and remains at 34%.

Cal Fire reported the wildfire was active in the Mill Creek area and has spread, jumping Highway 172.

All told, the Park Fire has already consumed 98,048 acres of Lassen National Forest.

Residents evacuated by the fire are being allowed to return to their homes "where it is safe to do so, with multiple evacuation orders and warnings reduced recently in Butte, Shasta, and Tehama counties. Please remain diligent while crews and equipment continue working in these areas," Cal Fire said Wednesday.

Meanwhile, Wednesday's weather forecast is expected to offer little relief. The temperature high could reach 90 degrees in the area.

The hot weather continues through the week before there is a chance for slight cooling and higher humidity levels by the weekend.

Meanwhile, the number of structures destroyed by fire has been slightly downgraded to 636 from 640, and there have been 49 structures damaged. Structures include homes, commercial and out-buildings.

Those numbers could change again, though Cal Fire has said damage assessment teams have completed their work.

Nearly 6,600 firefighters are battling the Park Fire.

Original story

9:10 a.m. Tuesday: Park Fire grows by more than 12,000 acres; new evacuation orders in Tehama County

After little growth over the weekend, the Park Fire took off Monday afternoon in eastern Tehama County and grew by more than 12,000 acres, burning through the Mill Creek area, the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection said.

That growth prompted more evacuation orders in the county, Cal Fire said.

As of Tuesday morning, the fourth-largest wildfire in state history has burned 414,042 acres.

Containment on the blaze remains at 34%.

Cal Fire said, the fire “burned actively in heavy, receptive fuel beds, including abundant dead and down fuels in mature stands with more complete consumption in timber nursery stands, understory, and brush.”

“The fire crossed Tamarack Road into the South Fork Antelope Creek drainage. Crews and aircraft worked aggressively to slow and contain the increased fire activity,” Cal Fire said.

The fire also was fueled by low humidity and hotter temperatures.

More: Park Fire map: See how one of California's largest fires compares with historic wildfires

“While there were evacuations lifted in both Tehama and Butte Counties, there was one zone that was upgraded to an Evacuation Order west of the intersection of Highways 32 and 36 in Tehama County,” Cal Fire said.

Officials said the hot weather will continue through the week before there is a chance for slight cooling and higher humidity levels by the weekend.

The Park Fire has destroyed 640 structures and damaged 52. Structures include homes, commercial and out-buildings.

Those numbers may not go up as Cal Fire said Monday that damage assessment teams have completed their work.

Meanwhile, Cal Fire has released a map that shows the structures that have been destroyed and damaged by the Park Fire.

Lassen Volcanic National Park remains closed. The road through the park Highway 89, also is only open as an evacuation route, park official said.

The Park Fire started July 24 in Upper Bidwell Park in Chico and rapidly spread north, racing through Tehama County, before it was stopped just shy of the Shasta County line.

David Benda covers business, development and anything else that comes up for the USA TODAY Network in Redding. He also writes the weekly "Buzz on the Street" column. He’s part of a team of dedicated reporters that investigate wrongdoing, cover breaking news and tell other stories about your community. Reach him on X, formerly Twitter @DavidBenda_RS or by phone at 530-338-8323. To support and sustain this work, please subscribe today.

This article originally appeared on Redding Record Searchlight: Park Fire size down to 422,924 acres, as containment stays steady