Update August 3, 9:20 a.m.
The 99 Fire, which burned 550 acres south of Chico Tuesday afternoon, was declared 100 percent contained by Cal Fire as of Wednesday morning.
Update August 2, 5:03 p.m.
Air tankers are making drops on a wildfire in Butte County sparked by a vehicle accident.
The fire exploded Tuesday afternoon to 550 acres over the course of two and a half hours. Authorities have apparently stopped the fire’s spread, at least for now.
“We have a lot of resources on the north end of this fire now," said Fire Captain Scott McLean with CalFire’s Butte Unit. "It’s looking a lot better than it was about 30 minutes ago. We still have aircraft at scene and they’re orbiting as I speak.”
The fire is burning mainly through dry grass and brush near the Butte County Landfill east of Highway 99. Neal Road has been closed to traffic between the highway and Wayland Road.
McLean urged those in the area to stay off of Neal Road as many pieces of heavy equipment are on the move.
Calfire reports the blaze centered on Hamlin Canyon.
If the weather cooperates, McLean said firefighters should contain much of the blaze tonight, though it may take several days to fully control.