The fifth largest wildfire in state history, the Park Fire, grew marginally overnight, but destruction from the massive blaze that has burned through Butte and Tehama Counties continues to grow.
The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection said Wednesday morning that 277 structures have been destroyed by the fire and 29 structures have been damaged.
Cal Fire said those numbers include homes, commercial buildings, outbuildings and other structures.
The acreage burned by the Park Fire increased Wednesday morning to 389,791 acres, up about 3,000 acres from Tuesday night, Cal Fire said.
The fire remains at 18% contained.
The bulk of the fire has burned in Tehama County, with 333,765 acres already torched, while 52,999 acres has burned in Butte County, Cal Fire said.
However, most of the destruction the fire has done has been in Butte County.
Of the structures lost, 214 have been in Butte County, Cal Fire said, adding that damage inspection teams have completed 70% of their assessments.
The Park Fire started July 24 in Upper Bidwell Park in Chico and rapidly spread north, racing through Tehama County before it was stopped just shy of the Shasta County line. Thousands of people have been evacuated ahead of the blaze.
The Shasta County Sheriff’s Office on its Facebook page Wednesday morning said the zones under evacuation orders and warnings have not changed since Tuesday night.
Chico resident Ronnie Dean Stout II has been charged with starting the blaze. He was in court Monday in Butte County for arraignment, but he did not enter a plea. He is scheduled to return to Butte County Superior Court again Thursday.
There have been no reported deaths and no one has been seriously injured, according to Cal Fire.
Readers, scroll down for updates as they are posted for Wednesday, July 31.
8:50 a.m. Wednesday: Residents impacted by Park Fire could be eligible for evacuation-related expenses
Homeowners or renters insurance policies might help residents who have been ordered to evacuate due to the Park Fire.
California Department of Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara said residents might be able to recoup some of their costs under their Additional Living Expenses (ALE) coverage.
“ALE coverage typically includes food and housing costs, furniture rental, relocation and storage, and extra transportation expenses, among other costs. The Park Fire is now the fifth largest in California history,” Lara said in a news release.
Impacted residents who have questions or need assistance, can contact the California Department of Insurance at 1-800-927-4357 or visit www.insurance.ca.gov.
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Alice J. Roden started working for Trending Insurance News at the end of 2021. Alice grew up in Salt Lake City, UT. A writer with a vast insurance industry background Alice has help with several of the biggest insurance companies. Before joining Trending Insurance News, Alice briefly worked as a freelance journalist for several radio stations. She covers home, renters and other property insurance stories.