Massive Wildfire Ravages Northern California at Alarming Speed
A colossal wildfire, known as the Park Fire, is rapidly expanding in northern California, consuming land at a staggering rate of 8 square miles per hour (20 square kilometers). Originating on Wednesday from a suspected arson incident, the blaze has devastated over 350,000 acres northeast of Chico and is only 10% contained as of Sunday morning, according to Cal Fire.
Approximately 3,700 firefighters are combating the inferno, which is fueled by rugged terrain and strong wind gusts. A 42-year-old man was arrested on Thursday, accused of igniting the fire by rolling a burning vehicle into a gully near Alligator Hole in Butte County.
The Park Fire has become the largest wildfire in California this year and the seventh largest in the state’s history, engulfing an area more than 1.5 times the size of New York City’s five boroughs. Fire captain Robert Foxworthy noted the challenging conditions, with steep terrain and limited road access complicating firefighting efforts. Embers flung far ahead of the main blaze have sparked numerous spot fires, exacerbating the situation.
Incident commander Billy See reported that the fire spread at an alarming rate of 5,000 acres per hour. Satellite images and photographs depict the widespread destruction, including smoldering vehicles and smoke plumes.
During a briefing, See mentioned that the firefighting force had tripled on Saturday compared to the previous day, yet more personnel were still needed. Fire behaviorist Scott Weese highlighted the high fuel load in the area, with abundant grass feeding the flames. He described the fire’s heat signature as “huge,” noting that it scorched 150,000 acres on Saturday alone.
Authorities hoped to use the milder conditions on Saturday to gain control over parts of the fire. Wind speeds decreased, and temperatures dropped slightly, but remained in the low 30s Celsius (90s Fahrenheit). Cal Fire reported that lower temperatures and higher humidity had slowed the fire’s spread, although it continued to grow in some areas.
Officials also noted a decrease in the likelihood of fire whirls, following the appearance of a rare “firenado” the previous day. This swirling vortex of flames and ash, driven by intense heat and high winds, had been filmed moving through bushland.
California Governor Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency in Butte and Tehama counties on Friday. On Saturday, he announced new federal assistance for Tehama County, adding to the support already provided to Butte County earlier in the week. “This is already one of the biggest fires in California history, and we’re continuing to see dangerous conditions – our firefighters and emergency responders are working day and night to protect our communities. Californians must heed warnings from local authorities and take steps to stay safe,” Newsom said.
The firefighting efforts include 16 helicopters and multiple air tankers, which drop water from the sky when conditions permit. Mandatory evacuations have been ordered in Butte County, where the deadly Camp Fire claimed over 80 lives in 2018. The small community of Cohasset, with a population of 400, has already been evacuated.
Cal Fire reported that 134 structures had been destroyed, with 4,200 more threatened. Authorities detained Ronnie Dean Stout, 42, who is accused of setting the fire and blending in with other evacuees. Stout is being held without bail as officials determine the charges against him. A woman at his listed address in Chico told the San Francisco Chronicle that the car fire was accidental and that prosecutors are wrongfully accusing him.
The Park Fire is among numerous wildfires currently burning across the United States and Canada. The National Interagency Fire Center is monitoring 102 large fires in the U.S., primarily on the west coast. In Oregon, a firefighting pilot died in a tanker plane crash after the aircraft went missing on Thursday night. In Canada, a significant wildfire in Jasper National Park destroyed hundreds of buildings in the town of Jasper. Improved weekend conditions, including rain and cooler temperatures, have aided efforts to protect other parts of the historic tourist town.
