Park Fire grows to sixth largest in state history as Creek, Point fires moderate

The Park Fire continued burning Monday morning, growing to become the state’s sixth largest recorded wildfire and continuing to force evacuations across four Northern California counties.

Since the fire broke out on Wednesday, it has devoured 368,256 acres, according to Cal Fire. It has destroyed 109 structures and damaged another five.

Officials reported that the fire was 12 percent contained as of Monday morning.

The flames continued to burn actively into Sunday night before a thick blanket of smoke and the early morning humidity moderated the fire’s activity, according to Cal Fire’s situation summary. The areas on the upper slopes and ridges were particularly active Sunday night.

“The fire pretty much moderated overnight, a couple pockets here and there,” said Aaron Johnson, public information officer for CalFire. “Crews were able to engage on those.”

Fire officials anticipated increased activity through Monday due to southwest winds, fire receptive fuels and low fuel moisture. Firefighters will continue active control lines, reopen lines from previous fires and establish new lines to continue fighting the fire through Monday.

“It’s still early, so the fire has still been moderated” on Monday morning, Johnson added.

Fire crews have been stationed in areas that were particularly active over the past 36 hours to prepare for the anticipated increase throughout Monday, Johnson said.

“Crews have been prepared for that,” he said.

Firefighters were attacking the blaze with a massive show of force, with nearly 5,000 fire personnel and 98 crews working with 33 helicopters, 434 fire engines and 166 dozers to douse the flames.

Johnson added that fire crews were working “diligently” to put out the flames.

“We’re working to get folks back into their homes as quickly as possible once it is safe for them to do so,” Johnson said. “So bear with us. We’re getting there.”

A complete list of areas under evacuation orders and evacuation centers can be found on CalFire’s incident page.

The bulk of the fire has burned through Tehama County, charring 315,397 acres. An additional 52,859 acres have been burned in Butte County.

The Creek Fire in Alameda County’s Sunol had reached 35% containment as of 5:42 a.m. Monday, according to Cal Fire. The fire has burned 744 acres. Favorable overnight conditions allowed firefighters to make good progress on the blaze, according to Cal Fire’s situation summary.