Over 500 buildings destroyed in 4th-largest fire in California history.
The Park Fire has now become the fourth-largest wildfire in state history.
As of Friday evening, the fire had grown about 6,000 acres since Thursday night, to 399,615 acres. Containment also went up slightly, to 25%, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection.
The fire continues to be most active in the northeast portions in Tehama County and in Butte County.
“While containment is growing and crews are making progress strengthening control lines, firefighters are actively engaged in fire suppression on more than 200-miles of active fire front. Fire continues to burn actively in areas with thick, dry vegetation that is receptive to burning. Steep, remote terrain continues to hamper control efforts. The topography has posed challenges for radio communications,” Cal Fire said Friday morning.
Weather could challenge crews this weekend as thunder storms are predicted Friday in the northeast part of the fire in the area of Lassen National Forest, Cal Fire said. The thunder storms bring the potential of erratic winds.
What’s more, warmer temperatures are forecast for Northern California on Friday and Saturday.
Readers, scroll down for updates as they are posted for Friday, Aug. 2.
8:00 a.m. Friday: Structure damage numbers keep going up
The destruction caused by the Park Fire also continues to grow.
Damage assessment teams now report that 542 structures have been destroyed by the fire. That’s up from 483 on Thursday. Most of the buildings destroyed are in Butte County.
Structures include homes, commercial buildings, outbuilding and other buildings.
Cal Fire said damage inspection teams have completed 88% of their assessments.
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This article originally appeared on Redding Record Searchlight: Park Fire updates: Blaze grows to fourth-largest in state history
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