The Timber Fire remained 7% contained Thursday as the number of acres burned and structures threatened continued to increase.
More than 4,200 acres have burned, an area described as roughly equivalent to 3,000 football fields, and more than 500 buildings are considered at risk.
Fire crews are focusing on preventing the fire from moving south toward Highway 1, where many homes and well-known businesses are located. Evacuation orders remain in place in the area because of ongoing conditions.
The threat to people and property has also affected wildlife. Earlier in the week, a rescue effort was launched to save two California condors housed at the Ventana Wildlife Society sanctuary.
"Your heart just sinks. They've got a fire bearing on them. They have no way to get out," VWS Condor Program Manager Joe Burnett said.
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The birds, identified as Condors 340 and 868, had been kept at the sanctuary after recovering from lead poisoning treatment.
According to the Ventana Wildlife Society, the condors had spent four months in captivity after surviving a condition that kills 50% of condors.
"For us, that's a terrible feeling because we are trying to help them," Burnett said. "And then we have Mother Nature who throws this fire at us. God, how many lumps can these birds take, you know?"
CAL FIRE Battalion Chief Curtis Rhodes and Joe Burnett traveled through fire-affected terrain to reach the sanctuary and remove the birds from danger.
"First thing he says is, 'there's no guarantee we're going to get through there'," Burnett said. "340, I've known him since he was in the egg. It strikes a cord. You want to get up there and help him."
The pair spent about three hours reaching the site, navigating through the fire line, fallen trees and burning brush. The rescue was captured on camera.
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"I called everyone. I called Kelly and said, 'we did it, man, we got them out'," Burnett said. "Yeah, words can't describe it. It was just a just a huge load off to know that those birds were going to at least not be in that pen."
Condor 340 was later seen on a Ventana Wildlife Society camera Thursday morning resting as fog and smoke moved through the area. Despite the successful rescue, concerns remain for the birds as the fire continues to grow.
"They do not fly at night. And if they were caught by flames or overcome by smoke in the middle of the night, that could be devastating. We're in the thick of it, really. I mean, we got past the immediate hurdle. But we're really still just in the thick of it," VWS Exec. Director Kelly Sorenson said.
Oakland Zoo VP of Veterinary Services, Dr. Andrea Goodnight, who helped nurse Condor 340 back to health after lead poisoning, said she remains hopeful that the birds can stay safe while firefighters continue their work.
"My wish for him and all the other birds is that they can just navigate and use their instincts to get away and find some areas that they can be safe until the fires are put out," Dr. Goodnight said.
A heavy marine layer moved into the area Thursday and is expected to remain through the weekend, conditions that could aid both the birds and firefighting efforts.
Warmer and drier weather is expected to return after the weekend, potentially making firefighting operations more difficult.