Park Fire nears halfway containment after burning over 429K acres

NORTHSTATE, Calif. — LATEST INFO:Containment increases on Park Fire; Crews watch for spot fires after gusty winds

Firefighters are seeing favorable weather this week, aiding in raising containment on the largest fire burning in the country. According to Cal Fire's latest update, the Park Fire is now 50% contained after burning a total of 429,263 acres in Butte and Tehama counties.

Since Wednesday this week, Cal Fire said crews began seeing lower temperatures and higher humidity across the fire. Overnight, Cal Fire said crews saw a lot of great success on the Park Fire, with a majority of the fire currently under mop up and patrol status.

However, crews are still actively engaging the fire along the north/northeast portion, near Mineral and Mill Creek. Thanks to the better weather, Cal Fire said fire activity will be reduced with little chance of spotting.

RELATED: 'It's like going to a ghost town', Payne's Creek residents grapple with Park Fire losses

Between both Butte and Tehama counties, Cal Fire said 637 structures were destroyed and 49 were damaged as of Fri., Aug. 16. To view the structure status of your home or business, follow this link and enter your address.

The fire ignited in Upper Bidwell Park, northeast of Chico, at around 3 p.m. on July 24. Cal Fire arson investigators and the Butte County District Attorney’s Office said a man was arrested in connection to starting the blaze. The man was allegedly seen pushing a car that was on fire into a gully at Alligator Hole, where the fire started, officials said. The man, identified as Ronnie Stout, 42, of Chico, appeared in court on August 1, where his arraignment was moved to a later date to give his defense an "opportunity to review the case reports and determine a plea."

Cal Fire activated a fire information hotline for the Park Fire. They said residents can dial 211 or visit 211NorCal.org for more information. Residents from outside of Butte County can dial 1-866-916-3566.

RELATED: Redding band uses concert to raise funds for Payne's Creek evacuees

GoFundMe has created a central hub for those impacted by the fires burning in the Northstate. To donate to the fire victims, CLICK HERE.

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