The Dixie Fire reached a destructive milestone on Tuesday, as it inched closer to becoming the second wildfire in California's history to burn over 500,000 acres.
The fire has now destroyed 1,027 structures, becoming just the 16th in state history to cross that threshold, according to CAL FIRE.
As of Tuesday night, the Dixie Fire had burned 490,205 acres, second only to last year’s August Complex, which burned over a million.
Now 27% contained, the Dixie Fire is currently contending with light winds due to the terrain. While warm temperatures and low humidity are forecast over the next couple of days, officials said there is a “small chance” of “a thunderstorm or two” later in the week, with lightning a possibility.
Mid-August represents the “heart” of CAL FIRE’s “typically busy period,” Lassen-Modoc Unit Chief Scott Packwood said in a briefing Tuesday night, but crews have already been battling wildfires in Northern California for over a month.
The Beckwourth Complex originated on July 3, preceding the Dixie Fire by 11 days. Fire officials continued to preach patience and readiness for affected residents in Butte, Lassen, Plumas and Tehama counties, particularly as weather later this week could necessitate additional firefighting resources.
“Help us help you by getting your property ready, doing any defensible space clearing you can take care of,” Packwood said. “Get your evacuation plan in place. We are doing our best so we can go on to the next one.”
Officials said 3,100 residents have been evacuated in the fire, while no injuries and deaths have been reported. CAL FIRE estimated over 1,300 properties have been saved and show no signs of damage.
PG&E admitted possible culpability in the Dixie Fire last month, subsequently announcing plans to bury 10,000 miles of power lines underground. The utility believes its equipment also might have been responsible for the Fly Fire, which burned about 4,000 acres before merging with the Dixie Fire late last month.
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