TUOLUMNE COUNTY (LA Times) — The Rim fire burning in and around Yosemite National Park became the fourth-largest blaze in California history as it grew to 348 square miles Sunday, officials said.

The wildfire, which began Aug. 17, is 40% contained with more than 5,000 firefighters battling the flames, according to the U.S. Forest Service. A September 1932 fire in Ventura County that burned 343 square miles previously held the spot, Cal Fire said.

San Diego’s 427-square-mile Cedar fire in Oct. 2003, which destroyed more than 2,800 structures and killed 14, remains the largest wildfire in state history. The blaze began as a signal fire set by a West Covina man who was separated from his companion on a deer hunting trip, according to Times archives.

Crews are making good progress on the Rim fire, particularly on the northwest side of the blaze, though local winds sparked new spot fires and the fire is continuing to expand to the northeast, said U.S. Forest Service spokesman Trevor Augustino.

Winds have declined from earlier in the week, and a short rain shower Saturday night and higher humidity levels have helped mitigate some of the fire danger, he said.

“Any rain we get would be a tremendous asset,” he said, adding that the drought conditions and rugged, remote terrain have been challenging for firefighters.

Wind shifts on Friday dumped smoke into the Yosemite Valley, which appeared hazy with decreased visibility on video streaming from webcams the park. Another shift in the wind is expected Monday or Tuesday, which should help clear the smoke out of the area, said park ranger Kari Cobb.

There has been a noticeable decline in visitors to the park, she said, partly because of the fire’s smoke but also because of road closures in the park.

Park officials are advising visitors to avoid strenuous activity and for those sensitive to smoke to avoid being outside.

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