SOUTH LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – A day of steady rain in the fire area helped firefighters gain more ground on the Valley fire.
Cal Fire said Wednesday night that the Valley fire had grown to an estimated 70,200 acres, an increase of only 200 acres during the course of the day.
Containment also increased during the day, reaching 35 percent, Cal Fire said.
Cal Fire said the Valley fire's behavior was moderated due to cooler weather and rainy conditions, with firefighters continuing to focus on structural defense and perimeter control.
The National Weather Service reported that about half an inch of rain fell in the south county during the day.
Forecasters are predicting more rain – about one-tenth of an inch – through the night, clearing into Thursday morning.
More personnel have been assigned to the fire, with 3,128 firefighters now working the incident, Cal Fire said.
The vast firefighting force also includes 358 engines, 70 water tenders, 65 dozers, 58 hand crews, 15 helicopters and two air tankers, according to Cal Fire.
Authorities said mandatory evacuations and road closures in effect at the start of the day continued on Wednesday night.
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