Firefighters in Northern California made some progress in containing the state's largest blaze this year, partly thanks to improving weather conditions over the weekend.
Close to 5,000 firefighters are working to contain the Park Fire, with more on the way from elsewhere in California and the U.S.
Challenging topography was hampering handcrews and ground vehicles somewhat, but fire officials said containment efforts were making progress on Monday. Crews had laid contingency lines beyond the current edge of the fire, which are meant to add another layer of firebreak in the event that the fire expands toward local communities.
The Park Fire, which officials said was caused by arson, has burned some 370,000 acres across Butte, Plumas, Shasta and Tehama counties — an area that is roughly half the size of the state of Rhode Island.
The fire has destroyed 111 structures. Some 4,200 people are still under evacuation orders.
Butte County Sheriff Kory Honea asked residents to refrain from taking frustrations out on dispatchers, traffic controllers and other first responders while evacuations and response efforts continue.
"Butte County, we have been through this before. We know how to do this. You know how to do this. I need us all to be our best selves," he said.
There have been no fatalities reported in the fire.
CalFire officials said the Park Fire is now the sixth-largest in the state's history. The region has seen four of California's 10 largest fires.
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California Gov. Gavin Newsom proclaimed a state of emergency in Butte, Plumas and Tehama counties, allowing impacted residents to access unemployment benefits more easily and waive fees if they need to replace driver's licenses and records such as marriage and birth certificates.
The Butte County Air Quality Management District and the Butte County Public Health Department declared a joint local health emergency because of the hazardous materials found in ash and debris from the fire. Air quality alerts were issued Monday for the northwestern U.S. and western Canada.
As of Monday afternoon, the Park Fire remained 12% contained, with some help from increased humidity over the weekend.
The governor’s office announced they had secured federal assistance and resources to help get the fire under control.
The Park Fire began Wednesday after a 42-year-old man from Chico was reportedly seen pushing a car that was on fire into a gulley near Upper Bidwell Park, according to CalFire investigators.
The man was identified as Ronnie Dean Stout II, and law enforcement took him into custody, charging him with arson. He is being held at the Butte County Jail, according to records.
