California’s largest wildfire to date this year and sixth largest in state history grew overnight while containment on the Park Fire blaze that has burned through two counties improved.
Containment increased to 14%.
The fire continues to burn hottest on the east side in the Butte Meadows area in Butte County. Crews spent much of Sunday battling two spot fires, each about 100 acres, in that area. Officials said Monday that firefighters did a good job overnight getting dozer and hand lines around the two spot fires.
Fire activity also is heating up along the fire’s west side east of the town of Dairyville in Tehama County.
Assessment teams continue to be on the ground surveying and confirming the damage.
Meanwhile, the Chico man accused of starting the fire by pushing a burning car into a gully in Upper Bidwell Park was arraigned Monday afternoon in Butte County Superior Court.
Ronnie Stout was arrested early Thursday morning by Cal Fire arson and district attorney investigators in Butte County.
Readers, scroll down for the latest updates on Monday, July 29.
Monday night: Park Fire continues growing, now over 373K acres
The Park Fire had grown to 373,357 acres on Monday afternoon, up about 3,000 acres from earlier in the day, according to a report from the California Department of Forestry and Fire protection. Containment increased to 14%, the agency said.
The Park Fire has destroyed 165 structures and damaged 15 more in Butte and Tehama counties, according to Cal Fire's report on Monday night.
The blaze scorched about 320,306 acres in Tehama and 53,051 acres in Butte. It also threatens communities and wilderness areas in Shasta, Lassen and Plumas counties, but firefighters were able to hold their ground after cooler weather over the weekend helped them get a handle on the blaze.
Shasta County Sheriff Michael Johnson said evacuation orders had been downgraded to evacuation warnings for six zones in the Millville, Shingletown and Cottonwood areas.
- Those include MIL-5280, SHI-5270 and COT-8990-A.
- Zones MAN-5000, SHI-5330A and SHI-5260 were split into two zones each. Orders were lifted in MAN-5000-A, SHI-5330-A and SHI-5260-A. These areas are now under evacuation warnings.
Johnson lifted warnings in six other Shasta County zones: SHI-5310, MIL-5300, MIL-5290, MIL-8960, COT-8970 and COT-8990-B.
Johnson said Shasta County sheriff's deputies made several felony arrests of people suspected of looting in evacuated areas.
Also, Anderson police arrested a man on suspicion of stealing his roommate's property during an evacuation order: "We have zero tolerance for that," he said.
Firefighters battled hot spots that popped up in Tehama County on Sunday and Monday along the fire's eastern edge, facing Lassen and Plumas counties. Crews were still snuffing out hot spots along Highway 32 on Monday afternoon. However, the area "is looking much better than it was" over the weekend, Cal Fire Operations Sections Chief Mark Brunton said.
Cal Fire reported crews are also continuing to mop up and inspect areas around the fire's southern edge in Butte County.
1:35 p.m. Monday: Residents can get answers to Park Fire questions in person
People with questions about the Park Fire can speak in person to a Cal Fire representative who will be available on Monday afternoon from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the Holiday Market at 20635 Gas Point Road in Cottonwood.
Park Fire remained at about 370,237 acres as of Monday afternoon, up 2,000 acres overnight, and remains 12% contained. The blaze destroyed 109 structures and damaged five more, the agency reported.
People evacuated from Manton and Mineral area homes can still get their mail, even though the Manton Post Office (31240 Manton Road) and the Mineral Post Office (38450 Highway 36) are closed. The U.S. Post Office said customers can pick up their mail at one of two other branches.
- Manton customers can pick up their mail at the Shingletown Post Office, 31268 State Highway 44, suite B from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. weekdays, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays.
- Mineral customers can pick up their mail at the Chester Post Office at 218 Laurel Lane. Hours are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays.
Motorists driving in the area should continue to avoid parts of Highway 36 to allow evacuees and emergency vehicles free access, the California Department of Transportation announced: Highway 36 is closed going eastbound at Hog Lake at Tuscan Springs Road, and westbound at the junction of Highway 89.
The Park Fire has scorched at least 315,397 acres in Tehama County and 52,859 acres in Butte County and prompted evacuations in Shasta County.
11:30 a.m. Monday: Evacuation warnings lifted in Paradise
The Butte County Sheriff's Office announced on its Facebook page all evacuation warnings have been lifted in Paradise in Butte County.
Evacuation warnings also have been lifted for eight zones in Magalia, which is north of Paradise in Butte County.
While the sheriff’s office lifted evacuation warnings for zone 283, south of Skyway in Magalia, zone 283 (north of Skyway) is still under an evacuation warning, according to the sheriff.
"Residents should continue to be aware of their surroundings and check for updates," the post said.
The fire continues to burn hottest northeast of the Chico-Paradise area around Butte Meadows. The west side of the fire also is active east of Dairyville in Tehama County.
9 a.m.: Weather expected to challenge firefighters on Monday
The weather over the weekend helped crews grow containment lines around the Park Fire.
But at a morning briefing on Monday, firefighters were told that the weather will change later Monday, which has the potential of spurring more fire activity.
More:Park Fire reminder of changing climate's impact on California
Southwest winds are expected to gust stronger in the afternoon, with gusts expected to exceed 20 miles per hour.
Firefighters also were reminded that the fire is being driven by heavy vegetation, especially on the west side where there is an abundance of grass like there hasn't been seen for years. Also, there is lava rock on the fire's west side, which makes it difficult to put down hose lines and cut fire lines with bulldozers.
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