The Park Fire, which erupted just two days ago, has become California’s largest wildfire of the year, scorching over 125,000 acres. In a stunning feat, the fire consumed 71,000 acres in less than 24 hours. The blaze, only 3 percent contained, prompted CalFire to issue evacuation orders and warnings throughout Butte and Tehama counties, reaching the city limits of Chico. Fortunately, no fatalities have been reported so far, and the cause of the fire remains under investigation.
BREAKING: #ParkFire continues to explode in size, now at 120, 000 acres. It’s by far the largest wildfire in the state of California so far this year.
Shout out to my friends at @CIRA_CSU for putting the satellite imagery together showing its explosive growth. @CBSSacramento pic.twitter.com/lJVr5JccUF
— Nic Merianos (@NickMerianos) July 26, 2024
Rick Carhart, public information officer with Cal Fire and the Butte County Fire Department, emphasized the immediate threat to communities such as Cohasset and Forest Ranch, which are currently under evacuation orders. He urged residents to comply with the evacuation directives to ensure their safety. For the latest updates on fire perimeters and evacuation details, residents are encouraged to check the CalFire website.
The Park Fire ignited around 4 p.m. local time on Wednesday near Upper Park Road in Upper Bidwell Park, east of Chico. As of Thursday evening, the fire had grown to 124,949 acres, making it the largest wildfire in the state this year. By comparison, the Lake Fire, which has burned at least 38,000 acres near Santa Barbara, is now 90 percent contained. The Park Fire’s rapid spread has been exacerbated by gusty winds, low humidity, and a lack of recent fire activity in the area, which has allowed undergrowth to accumulate, providing ample fuel for the flames
A suspect has been arrested for starting the Park Fire in Butte County, CA that’s destroyed over 71,000 acres. The wildfire, now California’s largest of the year, has forced nearly 4,000 to flee their homes. @KaynaWhitworth is on the scene. https://t.co/6Phmziofsw pic.twitter.com/I9Y1YYngxx
— World News Tonight (@ABCWorldNews) July 26, 2024
Carhart described the rapid expansion of the fire, noting that it grew from a few acres to 45,000 acres in less than 12 hours. The initial reports from the first units on the scene indicated a fire of 4 to 5 acres, but it quickly escalated to 500, then 6,400 acres, and ultimately reached 45,000 acres in just a few hours.
This region of Butte County has long been considered at high risk for a major wildfire due to its lack of fire history. The accumulation of underbrush and other vegetation has made the area particularly vulnerable to a fast-spreading blaze. A 2019 analysis of wildfire hazard potential highlighted the dangers faced by communities like Cohasset, which has limited evacuation routes, potentially leading to traffic congestion during an emergency.
A Northern California blaze exploded Thursday to more than 45,000 acres, the largest #wildfire in #California this year spanning 2 counties, as residents were ordered to evacuate areas north of #Chico.
More than 216 personnel are battling the flames.#wildfires #Cali #BREAKING pic.twitter.com/VcVy1L2dGw
— Breaking News (@TheNewsTrending) July 25, 2024
The fire’s origin has been traced to an alleged act of arson. Butte County District Attorney Mike Ramsey announced that a man has been charged with starting the fire after witnesses saw him pushing a flaming car into a gully, where it ignited the surrounding area. First responders are currently focused on evacuation efforts and establishing containment lines using bulldozers, fire crews, and engines. Additional resources, including air tankers, are being deployed from across the state to assist in the firefighting efforts. As of now, it is unclear how many structures have been affected by the fire.
Approximately 1,100 personnel are working tirelessly to combat the blaze and protect the threatened communities.
Major Points:
- The Park Fire, now California’s largest wildfire of the year, has burned over 125,000 acres in just two days, with 71,000 acres consumed in less than 24 hours.
- CalFire has issued evacuation orders and warnings in Butte and Tehama counties, including areas near Chico, as the fire remains only 3 percent contained.
- The fire’s rapid spread is attributed to gusty winds, low humidity, and a lack of recent fire activity, which has allowed underbrush to build up, fueling the flames.
- A man has been charged with arson for allegedly starting the fire by pushing a flaming car into a gully, leading to the current blaze.
- Approximately 1,100 firefighters are involved in efforts to contain the fire, with additional resources being brought in, though the exact number of structures affected is still unknown.
Charles William III – Reprinted with permission of Whatfinger News
