Park Fire in California grows

The Park Fire has become the sixth-largest wildfire in California's history and the weather pattern this week can make or break fire-fighting efforts.

The Park Fire in California continues to grow, now covering more than 386 thousand acres, and the weather pattern may bring more trouble as we head into the rest of wildfire season in the West.

Hot temperatures dry out the soil and create more fuel for wildfires to take advantage of. While temperatures in the West will be at or below average through Tuesday, a hotter pattern seen on our TemperatureRadar brings near-record and record-breaking highs by Thursday and Friday in cities like Boise, Idaho, and Yakima, Wash.

Lightning, from typically thunderstorms and dry thunderstorms, may also spark new fires. You can keep an eye on lightning strikes with our LightningRadar. Smoke from these fires also continues to lower air quality in the Northwest and into the Rockies. Weather & Radar's air quality tool can help you determine whether or not it's safe to be outdoors if you are in a sensitive group.