A month into fighting the state’s largest wildfire, Cal Fire crews have reached nearly two-thirds containment, and the fire’s growth has slowed considerably.
The Park Fire, burning in Lassen National Forest and areas of Butte and Tehama counties, has scorched 429,460 acres but was 65% contained Friday morning, according to Cal Fire. The fire has grown approximately only 200 acres over the past week, according to the agency.
Crews have contained about an additional one-third of the blaze over the past 10 days.
The fire started July 24 at Upper Bidwell Park in Chico. Authorities say a man pushed his burning car down an embankment, sparking the blaze. It is the fourth-largest wildfire in California history.
Suspect Ronnie Dean Stout II, 42, pleaded not guilty Thursday in Butte County Superior Court to a charge of “willful and malicious arson,” as well as to four enhancements included with the charge, authorities said. The alleged enhancements by authorities are that Stout has two prior felony convictions, a felony prison term and that the fire destroyed structures, according to court records.
A preliminary hearing is set for Sept. 19.
Crews did not observe a lot of fire activity on Wednesday, according to Cal Fire, and even gusty winds were unable to re-generate its ability to spread, the agency said.
The newest danger in the area could be with the weather expected to bring some rain Friday or Saturday. Cal Fire said the rain won’t mix well with the freshly burned scar areas, and the National Weather Service issued a flash flood watch in that area from Friday afternoon through Sunday morning.
All roads have been opened, and areas that were evacuated have started to be repopulated, according to the agency.
The fire has not caused any deaths or injuries. It has destroyed 637 residential or commercial buildings and damaged another 49.
Source: www.mercurynews.com