MINERAL, California — On Tuesday, the Park Fire was just across the ridge from Mineral, but by Thursday of that week, the fire had already climbed the mountaintops and spread toward Mineral. The fire gas has been slowed by firefighters’ efforts, but has not yet been stopped.

“There was activity in the Mill Creek watershed,” said Bud Englund, Cal-Fire’s deputy PIO. “It was difficult terrain. There’s a lot of steep and rugged terrain there. The firefighters are working really hard to stay there.”

Englund says working on the fire has been tough for crews as the steep terrain continues to pose challenges.

Local fires are much more vulnerable and start much more easily. That’s why this is the biggest problem at the moment.

As for wider operations, he says the teams are continuing their previous tactics, digging firebreaks while air operations drop bombs where possible.

“The soldiers must remain on site, the fire department must remain on duty and we must always be able to count on the support of the aircraft on site,” says Englund.

As for Thursday’s efforts to protect Mineral and other surrounding communities, Englund says they are progressing well.

“There is a lot of good building protection going on in this area and in the huts up there,” he says. “And it was a good joint effort by the firefighters and all the agencies involved.”

Englund says they are preparing for the park fire to continue spreading in the same way throughout the afternoon and night.