Northern California fires: Lava Beds reopens after Antelope Fire burns almost 20 miles of park

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This week, firefighters increased containment on several of the most destructive and largest wildfires in California's history.

While last weekend's rains helped firefighting efforts, and cooler temperatures continue this week, this isn't likely the end of fire season, according to government-run fire information website Inciweb. "(This) week, temperatures will increase, leading to dryer fuels and increased fire activity." 

Thus far this year, almost 7,600 fires burned more than 2.3 million acres, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection. Four fires burning this month are among the 20 largest fires on state record. The Caldor and Dixie fires are also among the 20 most destructive.

Scroll down for updates on Sept. 22.

12:30 p.m. Wednesday: Lava Beds reopens after Antelope Fire burns 19.6 miles of park

Lava Beds National Monument will reopen to visitors on Thursday.

That's after containment on the Antelope Fire reached 95% and firefighters cleared safety hazards along the park's main road, park staff said in an update on Wednesday.

The northern entrance to the park will open to visitors Thursday morning, park spokesman Marc Blackburn said. Other re-openings include:

• The visitor center. Hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily.
• Roads: Cave Loop, Skull and Valentine.
• Campgrounds: Sites  are available on a first come, first served basis. 

"The Antelope Fire burned 12,540 acres in the southwestern corner of the park in early September," Blackburn said. Fire crews and park staff continue clean up efforts in the burn area, including hazardous tree removal. 

Some park areas will remain closed, including burn areas on the west side of the park road. Sites off limits include:  

• Fleener Chimneys 
• Merrill Cave 
• Whitney Butte Trail 
• Heppe Cave 
• Mammoth Crater 
• Big Nasty Trail 

Access to the Modoc National Forest through the park is restricted to fire crews and park staff, Blackburn said. Forest Service Road 49 — Medicine Lake Road — and Gold Digger Pass Road are closed to the public.  

For more information call 530-667-8113, email labe_interpretation@nps.gov or go to www.nps.gov/labe.

Size, containment on Northern California wildfires

Here are fire sizes and containment percentages as of Wednesday, according to reports from fire incident management teams, Cal Fire and forest and park services.

• Antelope Fire in Siskiyou County: 145,632 acres, 95% contained.
• Caldor Fire in El Dorado County: 219,578 acres, 76% contained. This fire is the 15th largest fire and the 16th most destructive wildfire in California's history.
• Dixie Fire in Plumas, Butte, Tehama, Lassen and Shasta counties: 963,276 acres, 94% contained. This fire is the second largest fire and the 14th most destructive wildfire in the state's history.
• McCash Fire in Klamath National Forest: 92,602 acres, 22% contained. 
• McFarland Fire in the Shasta-Trinity National Forest: The blaze is 100% contained at 122,653 acres.

• Monument Fire in Trinity County: 219,254 acres, 55% contained. This fire is the 16th largest fire in California's history.
• River Complex in Klamath National Forest: 196,175 acres, 55% contained. This fire is the 18th largest fire in the state's history.

Jessica Skropanic is a features reporter for the Record Searchlight/USA Today Network. She covers science, arts, social issues and entertainment stories. Follow her on Twitter @RS_JSkropanic and on Facebook. Join Jessica in the Get Out! Nor Cal recreation Facebook group. To support and sustain this work, please subscribe today. Thank you.