CHICO, MULTIPLE COUNTIES — The Park Fire, having engulfed 422,924 acres in Butte, Plumas, Shasta, and Tehama Counties, quickly became the fourth-largest wildfire in California history last week. Now, it threatens to pass the Mendocino Complex Fire for the third-largest wildfire by area after activity over the previous few days. The fire has grown over 20,000 acres since Monday.

According to Cal Fire, 6,627 personnel are engaged in fighting the Park Fire as of Wednesday afternoon. 37 helicopters, 507 engines, 190 dozers, and 181 water tenders are deployed. 636 structures have been destroyed, and 49 have been damaged.

Dry conditions caused a significant offshoot to develop toward the northeast, now threatening the towns of Mineral and Mill Creek. Attempts were made to confine the fire to Mill Creek Drainage, but the conditions allowed burning to take place outside established control lines. On Wednesday afternoon, Plumas County issued evacuation warnings for two zones near Chester.

On Wednesday afternoon, Tehama County Sheriff Dave Kain gave an update that someone had allegedly used a rental truck in an attempt to loot fire-stricken communities. The truck driver became stuck on a bridge and, unable to progress to either side, abandoned the vehicle before any valuables were taken. The Sheriff has identified the driver and accomplices and says they will be charged, at a minimum, with illegal entry into an evacuated area.

Although the fire’s north side remains active, progress has been made towards the west, south, and southeast, allowing some zones to have evacuation orders lifted. Sheriff Kain warns residents returning to their homes that some residences have been damaged or destroyed and to be careful when disturbing ash that may contain harmful materials.

Cal Fire hopes that thick smoke will cause cooler temperatures and higher humidity. A weather system is expected to further increase humidity next week. The fire has remained at 34% containment since Monday.