Detroit Free Press – David Benda and Jessica Skropanic – Redding Record Searchlight

California’s largest wildfire to date this year and sixth largest in state history grew overnight while containment on the Park Fire blaze that has burned through two counties improved.

Containment increased to 14%.

Monday night: Park Fire continues growing, now over 373K acres

The Park Fire had grown to 373,357 acres on Monday afternoon, up about 3,000 acres from earlier in the day, according to a report from the California Department of Forestry and Fire protection. Containment increased to 14%, the agency said.

The Park Fire has destroyed 165 structures and damaged 15 more in Butte and Tehama counties, according to Cal Fire’s report on Monday night.

The blaze scorched about 320,306 acres in Tehama and 53,051 acres in Butte. It also threatens communities and wilderness areas in Shasta, Lassen and Plumas counties, but firefighters were able to hold their ground after cooler weather over the weekend helped them get a handle on the blaze.

The weather over the weekend helped crews grow containment lines around the Park Fire.

But at a morning briefing on Monday, firefighters were told that the weather will change later Monday, which has the potential of spurring more fire activity.

More:Park Fire reminder of changing climate’s impact on California

Southwest winds are expected to gust stronger in the afternoon, with gusts expected to exceed 20 miles per hour.

Firefighters also were reminded that the fire is being driven by heavy vegetation, especially on the west side where there is an abundance of grass like there hasn’t been seen for years. Also, there is lava rock on the fire’s west side, which makes it difficult to put down hose lines and cut fire lines with bulldozers.