It all comes down to weather.

After two days of somewhat favorable conditions that allowed firefighters to gain ground on 28 major wildfires burning across the state, winds are forecast to return Sunday, posing new challenges to quench the flames.

According to the National Weather Service, breezy southerly winds are expected to develop Sunday and increase on Monday as a weather system passes to the north. Forecasters say the strongest winds will be over the southern Cascade Range.

But, they cautioned, “These winds, combined with low humidity, will result in elevated fire weather conditions across the region and may impact ongoing wildfires. Extreme caution should be taken to prevent additional fires.”

A fire weather watch has been issued for the Burney Basin and Northeast Plateau in Shasta County including parts of Lassen National Forest and the Lassen National Park. The warning also covers elevations from 1,000 to 3,000 feet across the western slopes of the Sierra foothills — including the area under siege from the West Zone of the North Complex Fire.

More than 16,750 firefighters remain on the lines battling fires that mostly sparked last month and have led to evacuations. This fire season has killed at least 22 people (19 since Aug. 15) and has scorched more than 3.3 million acres of land — an area nearly the size of Connecticut.

According to Cal Fire spokesman Daniel Berlant, the state responded to 36 new fires Saturday, all of which were quickly contained. He cautioned that Sunday may present problems for crews.

“While weather conditions have continued to be more seasonable compared to last week, firefighters are monitoring the forecast closely as Monday could bring elevated fire risk,” he wrote in a statewide update Sunday morning. “With the changes in weather conditions, we may see the return of critical fire next week.”

In the past week, several fires leaped atop the state’s all-time list for acreage burned, including the August Complex in Mendocino National Forest and the North Complex, which killed at least 12 people and leveled homes above Lake Oroville in less than 24 hours.

This year’s 3.3 million acres of burned land statewide has already set a record. That’s 26 times higher than the acres burned last year for the same period, according to Cal Fire. So far, more than 4,000 structures have been destroyed.

The immense destruction of the fire season has drawn national attention to California’s plight. President Donald Trump will visit Sacramento County on Monday in order to meet with federal, state and local fire officials to be briefed on the state of the wildfires. The president will arrive at McClellan Park, a site used by Cal Fire as a wildfire response center.

Here’s a roundup of the major fires burning across the state as of Sunday afternoon.

North Complex (West Zone/Bear Fire)

Updated: 7:56 a.m. Sunday | Size: 258,802 acres (404.4 square miles) | Containment: 26%

Strong winds are expected Sunday and Monday, continuing to fuel the North Complex Fire, which began Aug. 17 in the Plumas National Forest and spread southwest into populated areas after jumping the Feather River on Tuesday. The weather will also keep smoke in the region, reducing visibility and lowering temperatures. A red flag warning for the area and much of the northeastern portion of California was issued through 8 p.m. Monday.

At least 12 people were killed and another 13 were reported unaccounted for after the southwest corner of the North Complex erupted Tuesday and Wednesday.

A fastest-spreading part of the blaze, formerly known as the Bear Fire, grew rapidly in the immediate area of Lake Oroville, forcing mandatory evacuations. Now being handled by Cal Fire’s Butte Unit, it has since been renamed the West Zone of the North Complex, and was reported Saturday afternoon at 74,000 acres with 15% containment.

The West Zone ravaged hilly areas north of Lake Oroville, including Berry Creek, a town of about 1,200 people that was almost entirely destroyed. As of Thursday morning, the West Zone destroyed or damaged 2,000 structures — including Berry Creek Elementary School, which was burned to the ground, and Camp Okizu, a summer camp for child cancer patients that was severely damaged.

The West Zone continues to threaten more than 23,000 buildings in parts of Butte, Plumas and Yuba counties.

The destructive and deadly West Zone has been reminiscent of the nearby 2018 Camp Fire, which was started by power lines amid strong winds and tinder-dry conditions.

A temporary evacuation point has been established at Oroville Church of the Nazarene, 2238 Monte Vista Ave., Oroville. Butte County officials added: “Please stay in your vehicle, a representative from Butte County or Red Cross will assist you with further information and sheltering needs.” They urged residents to take animals along with food, water and bedding for the animals to animal shelters. A small animal shelter was established at Old County Hospital, 2279 Del Oro Ave., Suite E, at Mono Avenue, in Oroville.

Additional evacuations are in Plumas and Yuba counties.

» Fire updates from federal officials | NIFC fire detection mapping

Willow Fire

Updated: 8:21 a.m. Sunday | Size: 1,311 acres (2.0 square miles) | Containment: 75%

The Willow Fire, north of Sacramento in Yuba County, was 1,311 acres and is 75% contained Sunday after burning since Sept. 9. Progress has been steady as firefighters worked to contain the blaze.

“Although several areas in the northern edge of Yuba County remain under mandatory evacuation, it seems like things are moving in a better direction,” the Yuba County Office of Emergency Services said Saturday evening.

On Sunday morning, some evacuation orders were lifted. Residents of Brownsville were allowed to return home, though several roads in the area remained closed and communities northeast of Brownsville up to the county line were still under evacuation orders.

“For residents able to return home, please continue to be vigilant in monitoring fire activity nearby and remain prepared to evacuate again if necessary,” the Yuba County Sheriff’s Office said.

The Willow Fire, north of Smartsville near the intersection of Neptune Lane and Willow Glen Road, has destroyed 41 structures and damaged 10 more. A total of 218 fire personnel have been sent out to the blaze, according to Cal Fire.

» Fire updates from Cal Fire | NIFC fire detection mapping

Creek Fire

Updated: 9:54 a.m. Sunday | Size: 201,908 acres (315.5 square miles) | Containment: 8%

The Creek Fire continued to burn through the Sierra National Forest and foothill communities of Fresno and Madera counties, and has burned more than 200,000 acres with 8% containment Sunday morning.

Full containment is not expected until mid-October, and the cause of the fire remains under investigation.

According to a report from Cal Fire, stronger winds over the fire will allow for better mixing and less smoke, and winds over the highest peaks in the area could hit 35 mph.

The change in conditions is expected to lead to more active fire behavior, putting the focus on structure defense, tactical patrol around structures in burned areas and perimeter control. Containment lines are being constructed and strengthened in several areas including China Peak, Cherry Valley, Blue Canyon, Auberry, Shaver Lake and Huntington Lake.

The Creek Fire has destroyed 369 structures, and 5,296 remained threatened by the wildfire.

» Fire updates from Cal Fire | NIFC fire detection mapping

August Complex

Updated: 1:16 p.m. Sunday | Size: 877,477 acres (1,371.1 square miles) | Containment: 28%

The August Complex (including the Doe Fire) — which has burned in and around Mendocino National Forest in Mendocino County — is now the largest wildfire by acreage in California history, surpassing the 2018 Mendocino Complex’s 459,123 acres.

Its acreage leapfrogged over the LNU and SCU Complexes after growing by nearly 100,000 acres Tuesday and rose another 50,000 acres Wednesday. The fire grew another almost 100,000 acres from Friday to Saturday. It remains 25% contained, forest officials said.

The fire increased by 300,000 acres in one day but that was largely due to the merging of the complex with two other fires, the Elkhorn Fire and Hopkins Fire. Officials said they had unified the command center for the three fires.

On Sunday morning, U.S. Forest Service officials said conditions are expected to “be dry, windy and with less smoke which will influence fire behavior. The priority in the North Zone is structure protection, indirect line construction (away from the fire’s edge) and tactical firing operations (applying fire on the ground to remove vegetation and widen containment lines).”

The fire, which started Aug. 16, was burning 25 miles west of Orland, 58 miles south of Redding and 104 miles northwest of Sacramento. It has charred acreage across five counties: Glenn, Mendocino, Lake, Tehama and Trinity. The August Complex was initially 37 different fires, but many have been contained or have merged.

Crews cautioned that actual acreage is “subject to change as fire activity progresses throughout the day.” The newest blaze, the Hopkins Fire at 19,782 acres, is 25 miles northeast of Covelo but has spread further into the Yolla Bolly-Middle Eel wilderness.

Evacuation orders remain in effect for Glenn County and portions of Mendocino and Lake counties, with a full list found on the incident page.

» Fire updates from federal officials | NIFC fire detection mapping

Slater Fire

Updated: 10:25 a.m. Sunday | Size: 130,482 acres (203.9 square miles) | Containment: 0%

The Slater Fire has merged with the Devil Fire, reaching into Josephine County in Oregon. The Devil Fire, which was detected on Sept. 9, is located in the northern part of Klamath National Forest. It is currently estimated at 3,888 acres and is 0% contained.

The Slater Fire, which is also burning uncontained in the Klamath National Forest in Siskiyou County, has killed one person as of Wednesday evening, as reported by The Siskiyou Daily News. That person has not been identified, pending an investigation by the Siskiyou County Sheriff’s Office.

The fire has exploded from 30,000 acres on Wednesday afternoon to 120,000 acres by Thursday, and increased to 140,000 by Friday, fire officials said. By Saturday morning, the size of the fire was revised to about 125,000. The fire, which was first spotted Tuesday morning at 150 acres from the Slater Butte Fire Lookout, was burning 12 miles northeast of Weed, 23 miles southeast of Yreka and 210 miles north of Sacramento.

Weather is expected to be similar to what it has been throughout the week, with light winds driving smoke, but the incoming front could slow fire activity, the U.S. Forest Service said in an incident report.

Klamath National Forest, along with all national forests in California, is closed due to the fire and extreme risk of further fire activity.

The wildfire destroyed an estimated 150 homes in the Happy Camp area.

» Fire updates from federal officials | NIFC fire detection mapping

Dolan Fire

Updated: 1:10 p.m. Sunday | Size: 117,242 acres (183.2 square miles) | Containment: 40%

The Dolan Fire has charred more than 117,000 acres in the Los Padres National Forest in Monterey County and is 40% contained, National Forest officials said. The fire, which started Aug. 19, is burning 15 miles southeast of Big Sur, 37 miles southeast of Monterey and 170 miles south of Sacramento.

Fire growth has slowed, though hot and dry weather could lead to unexpected growth in the next few days. Firefighters increased containment by 10% since Saturday night.

The fire has led to injuries of fire personnel after the flames more than doubled Tuesday. New evacuations have been ordered for Santa Lucia Memorial Park east of Lucia, while many existing orders have stayed in place.

Firefighters who were defending a structure in the southern area near Big Sur were injured last week when flames overran them and destroyed the Nacimiento Station in the Los Padres National Forest.

More than 750 remain assigned to the blaze as of Saturday.

» Fire updates from federal officials | NIFC fire detection mapping

El Dorado Fire (Yucaipa)

Updated: 9:07 a.m. Sunday | Size: 14,283 acres (22.3 square miles) | Containment: 41%

Significant progress was made in containing the El Dorado Fire by Saturday morning. Favorable downslope winds aided firefighting efforts on Friday. Warnings of upslope gusts cautions that major growth of the fire could occur and Cal Fire is asking residents to be prepared for rapidly changing evacuation orders and warnings.

The El Dorado Fire has burned for a week in San Bernardino County, Cal Fire said, but containment has increased significantly in recent days. The fire was burning in the San Bernardino National Forest 4 miles east of Yucaipa and 23 miles east of Riverside. Cal Fire’s San Bernardino Unit, the San Bernardino National Forest and San Bernardino County Fire Department are in unified command.

The flames were sparked by a device used at a gender reveal party last Saturday morning, before quickly spreading.

» Fire updates from Cal Fire | NIFC fire detection mapping

Fork Fire

Updated: 12:31 p.m. Sunday | Size: 1,736 acres (2.7 square miles) | Containment: 7%

Firefighters battling the Fork Fire, which has been burning for nearly a week in a remote area of the Eldorado National Forest, warn that “critical fire weather” could impact their efforts.

In a Sunday update, the U.S. Forest Service said that the fire — which started Sept. 8 along South Fork Road and Trail View in El Dorado County — had charred 1,752 acres, but progress on the relatively small wildfire has been slow. Through the weekend, containment on the fire hasn’t budged from 7%.

Although firefighters were hoping to make progress on containment given favorable weather conditions in the past few days, the Forest Service said that “steep topography and weakened snags present many potential challenges” to their operations.

The flames spread into the burn scar from the 2014 King Fire in the Georgetown Ranger District. Evacuation orders are in effect for Loon Lake, Gerle Creek and Rubicon Trail Area.

» Fire updates from federal officials | NIFC fire detection mapping

SCU Lightning Complex

Updated: 7:19 a.m. Sunday | Size: 396,624 acres (619.7 square miles) | Containment: 98%

Residents in the South Bay waiting for good news were standing by Sunday as firefighters inched closer to fully containing the SCU Lightning complex, the third-largest fire in recorded California history.

Almost a full month since the series of fires began after a freak dry lightning storm swept over much of Northern California, the SCU Lightning Complex was about 98 percent contained after burning up nearly 400,000 acres, Cal Fire officials said Sunday.

The record-breaking blaze has injured four first responders and two civilians, while a total of 248 structures have been destroyed or damaged, officials said. The fire threatened the historic Lick Observatory in late August.

About 50 firefighters are continuing to fight the blaze as material inside control lines “continue to ignite brush fields near the fire’s edge,” CalFire said, adding that the fire is expected to be fully contained by Thursday. The fire continued to burn along two “branches” Sunday after smaller blazes across parts of Alameda, Contra Costa, San Joaquin, Santa Clara and Stanislaus counties had merged together earlier to create the complex.

“Lack of humidity recovery above 1,500 feet will continue to allow for smoldering and creeping,” the situation summary said. “Temperatures moderating to conditions that should allow for suppression repair to engage in work projects. High fire behavior probability still present across entire complex for interior islands burning.”

» Fire updates from Cal Fire | NIFC fire detection mapping

LNU Lightning Complex

Updated: Saturday | Size: 363,220 acres (567.5 square miles) | Containment: 96%

The same abnormal lightning storm that sparked the SCU Lightning Complex also sparked the LNU Lightning Complex in the North Bay — three major fires that had grown together to char more than 360,000 acres. That blaze, spread across Napa, Yolo, Lake, Sonoma and Solano counties, was about 96 percent contained as of Saturday evening.

The LNU fire, the third largest in recorded state history, had killed five civilians and injured five people, including one first responder. About 1,491 structures have been destroyed, while 232 were damaged.

The Hennessey Fire, the largest of the three blazes in the complex, had burned 305,651 acres and was 98 percent contained, while the Walbridge Fire charred 55,209 acres and was 96 percent contained. The third fire that makes up the complex — The Meyers Fire — has already been contained at 2,360 acres.

» Fire updates from Cal Fire | NIFC fire detection mapping

CZU Lightning Complex

Updated: 7:37 a.m. Sunday | Size: 86,509 acres (135.2 square miles) | Containment: 87%

The fire burning in San Mateo and Santa Cruz counties, was 87 percent contained as of 7 a.m. Sunday. About 730 firefighters were attempting to knock down the blaze, which tore through Big Basin State Park in August.

The CZU Complex has scorched about 86,509 acres, killing one civilian and injuring another. Officials said in a situation report that 925 residences were destroyed, with another 90 damaged. The flames have destroyed 171 commercial properties and damaged another 16, with total or partial damage to some 400 mine structures in the area.

Officials said there is minimal fire over the majority of the fire area, and winds are expected to remain light. Winds forecast to move in over the region beginning Sunday night can help clear away lingering smoke, but will also carry the danger of stirring up hot spots or even starting new fires.

“Crews continue to mop up and control hot spots throughout the fire area in an effort to support repopulation efforts,” CZU CalFire officials said. “Hazards, like compromised trees still exist in the area.”

While many road closures and evacuations remain in effect, Cal Fire has reduced many evacuation orders to warnings as containment increases. The agency has also allowed re-population of areas in Boulder Creek and portions north of Bonny Doon. Cal Fire advises that residents continue to take evacuation orders and warnings seriously, with a full list found on the incident page.

» Fire updates from Cal Fire | NIFC fire detection mapping

Butte/Tehama/Glenn Lightning Complex

Updated: Friday | Size: 19,609 acres (30.6 square miles) | Containment: 95%

The Butte/Tehama/Glenn Lightning Complex is two distinct zones. The fire has decreased significantly to 19,609 acres as Cal Fire reaches near complete containment.

The complex had been 69,735 acres (109.0 square miles) in Tehama, Glenn County, Cal Fire said in an update Tuesday. Acreage had changed overnight due to better mapping. The series of fires, which started Aug. 19, was burning 12 miles southwest of Red Bluff, 34 miles south of Redding and 117 miles northwest of Sacramento.

All fires burning within the Butte Zone, the eastern zone of the complex some 40 miles away, are in mop-up and patrol status, Cal Fire said on Sept. 1. It burned 2,782 acres before nearing containment.

» Fire updates from Cal Fire | NIFC fire detection mapping

Valley Fire

Updated: 7:08 a.m. Sunday | Size: 17,665 acres (27.6 square miles) | Containment: 79%

Containment improved significantly on the Valley Fire, which has charred parts of eastern San Diego County including the Cleveland National Forest. The fire, which started Sept. 5, was burning 6 miles southeast of Alpine and 27 miles east of San Diego.

After more than a week, the fire has already destroyed nearly a dozen homes and 25 other structures.

“I want to be very clear in my message,” said Cal Fire San Diego Chief Tony Mecham at a news conference at Viejas Casino and Resort. “We have a sleeping giant in the backcountry.”

Crews were busy setting backfires to try to deprive the advancing fire of fuel. Navy helicopters are assisting helicopters and fixed-wing planes already making water and fire retardant drops.

San Diego Gas & Electric officials warned that some residents near Alpine they may have their power turned off because of elevated fire weather conditions and winds, much like those in threatened PG&E territory.

» Fire updates from Cal Fire | NIFC fire detection mapping

Bobcat Fire

Updated: 2:36 p.m. Sunday | Size: 31,991 acres (50.0 square miles) | Containment: 6%

The Bobcat Fire continues to grow in the mountains above Los Angeles, U.S. Forest Service officials said. The fire, which started Sunday, was burning 6 miles east of Mount Wilson, 21 miles northeast of downtown Los Angeles and 358 miles southeast of Sacramento.

The fire is located near the Cogswell Dam and West Fork Day Use area, Angeles National Forest officials said, and is burning in heavy vegetation in steep, remote terrain that hasn’t burned in more than 60 years, officials said.

“The canyons that this fire has lined up with — Monrovia Canyon, Santa Anita Canyon, Little Santa Anita Canyon — those canyons have not burned since 1957 in the Monrovia Peak Fire,” Angeles National Forest Chief Robert Garcia told CBS Los Angeles.

» Fire updates from federal officials | NIFC fire detection mapping

SQF Complex Fire

Updated: 2:05 p.m. Sunday | Size: 74,304 acres (116.1 square miles) | Containment: 12%

The SQF Complex Fire, which includes the Castle and Shotgun fires in Sequoia National Forest, remains largely unchanged for four days in Tulare County. Containment remained at 12%, forest officials said. The fire, which started Aug. 21, was burning 28 miles east of Porterville, 49 miles northeast of Bakersfield and 243 miles southeast of Sacramento.

The fire is the southern hot spot in a trail of fires stretching more than 30 miles along the Sequoia forest’s deep backwoods, just west of the Kern Canyon. The larger of the complex’s two fires, the Castle Fire, was pushed by winds on the eastern flank towards Little Horse Meadows. The smaller Shotgun Fire is holding at 498 acres, “slowly burning in a rocky drainage and being monitored by aircraft.”

» Fire updates from federal officials | NIFC fire detection mapping

Rattlesnake Fire

Updated: 9:10 a.m. Sunday | Size: 1,441 acres (2.3 square miles) | Containment: 0%

The Rattlesnake Fire has burned 1,441 acres in Sequoia and Kings Canyon national parks in Tulare County and has no containment, officials said in an update. The fire, which started last week, was burning 8 miles east of Mineral King, 77 miles east of Fresno and 224 miles southeast of Sacramento.

It is the middle of a line of three fires burning not far from the Kern River Canyon. “The fire is burning in steep inaccessible terrain with sparse ground fuels and pockets of dead and down trees,” firefighters said. “While the size of the fire has increased, as it is moving through the Rattlesnake Creek drainage, there are no current threats to life or property.”

» Fire updates from federal officials | NIFC fire detection mapping

Bullfrog Fire

Updated: 12:16 p.m. Sunday | Size: 1,200 acres (1.9 square miles) | Containment: 0%

The Bullfrog Fire has burned 1,200 acres in Fresno County and has no containment, fire officials said in their latest update. The fire, which started Saturday, was burning 33 miles southeast of Bass Lake, 50 miles northeast of Fresno and 167 miles southeast of Sacramento.

» Fire updates from federal officials | NIFC fire detection mapping

Red Salmon Complex

Updated: 8:26 a.m. Sunday | Size: 87,782 acres (137.2 square miles) | Containment: 16%

The Red Salmon Complex grew overnight in Shasta-Trinity National Forest in Humboldt County after tripling in size Tuesday, forest officials said in an update. The size of the flames increased while the containment of the fire dropped from 19% to 18%. The fire, which started Aug. 18, was burning 39 miles northwest of Weaverville, 56 miles southwest of Yreka and 206 miles northwest of Sacramento.

» Fire updates from federal officials | NIFC fire detection mapping

Slink Fire

Updated: 10 a.m. Saturday | Size: 25,131 acres (39.2 square miles) | Containment: 48%

The Slink Fire continues to burn inside Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest in Mono County. The fire, which started Sept. 1, was burning 14 miles southeast of Markleeville, 68 miles south of Reno and 104 miles east of Sacramento.

By Saturday morning, the size of the fire had increased slightly, but containment had also increased significantly.

On Tuesday, firefighters said “gusty winds and low humidity were accompanied by a cold front that lowered the temperatures.” The FAA also established temporary flight restrictions for the areas after recreational drones were spotted in the area, causing aerial firefighting operations to cease. “The public must heed these restrictions and refrain from flying drones anywhere near fire operations for the safety of our aviators and the crews,” they wrote.

» Fire updates from federal officials | NIFC fire detection mapping

This story was originally published September 8, 2020 at 7:57 PM with the headline "Update: Wildfires have burned record acreage in California. Here’s where the biggest fires are."