The Park Fire that has burned from Butte County deep into Tehama County has reached 45% containment and sits at 429,263 acres as of Thursday.
Some evacuation warnings remain in Butte County but evacuation orders are still in place in parts of Tehama County and Plumas County.
Lassen Volcanic National Park remains closed in response to the fire with multiple road closures including parts of Highway 36 from Mineral to South Plumas County.
According to the latest update on Watch Duty, there has been no new spread beyond the established control lines.
“Crews continue to engage offensively building direct line and reinforcing lines around high heat and deep drainages,” a note from Cal Fire said. “Progress is ongoing but difficult in some areas due to adverse terrain and heavy dead and down vegetation.”
An additional note from the Lassen National Forest said crews are continuing to mop up with a focus on removing hazardous trees.
Upper park reopening
The city of Chico also made an announcement Thursday that upper Bidwell Park would be partially reopened.
“After an assessment of the road, trails and the removal of hazardous trees along the road where the fire initiated, the city has determined that portions of Upper Bidwell Park can be reopened per the attached map,” the announcement said.
The open is set to commence Friday.
This will include the main entrance at Wildwood Avenue, the northern part of the Five-Mile Recreation Area, parking lots around Horseshoe Lake and swimming areas like Day Camp, Aligator Hole and Bear Hole. Additionally, amenities like the Chico Observatory and the Gun Range will be reopened.
Remaining closed will be the upper park road past the Diversion Dam, 10 Mile House Road and portions of the Bloody Pin trail as well as some trails on the north side deeper into the park.
Heavy winds
The National Weather Service’s Sacramento office issued a statement regarding strong winds that are expected to hit on Saturday.
Gusts could be as high as 20 to 30 miles per hour throughout the north valley.
“While widespread fire weather concerns are not expected, locally elevated fire weather conditions will be possible in areas where strongest winds and driest conditions coincide,” the statement said.