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SCU Lightning Complex: 376,000 Acres, 33 Structures Burned; 45 Percent Contained

SAN FRANCISCO (CBS SF) -- The second largest wildfire in California history is now 45 percent contained as firefighters continue to make progress toward extinguishing it, according to Cal Fire late Saturday afternoon.

Containment was up from Saturday morning, when it was at 40 percent.

The fire has grown to 376,471 acres in Santa Clara, Alameda, Contra Costa, San Joaquin, Stanislaus, Merced and San Benito counties.

Firefighters on Saturday dealt with low humidity levels of 15 to 30 percent throughout the fire zone, with high temperatures ranging from the mid 80s to the mid 90s.

Overnight and into early Sunday morning, weather conditions in the fire zone will include the marine layer remaining about 2,000 feet deep, with warm and dry conditions above the inversion layer while cool and moist conditions impact the lower slopes.

SCU LIGHTNING COMPLEX FIRES

The fire had destroyed 33 structures as of Saturday morning -- five more than Friday -- and was threatening another 20,065 more.

Many large trees have burned and, weakened by the fire, continue to fall and block roadways, with their stumps retaining extreme heat, Cal Fire said.

The fires were sparked by lightning Aug. 16 and are burning in Santa Clara, Alameda, Contra Costa, San Joaquin, Stanislaus, Merced and San Benito counties. The blazes have merged into two branches.

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