Chico, California – The Park fire in Butte County has rapidly grown to over 350,000 acres, making it the largest wildfire in California this year. The spread of the fire has led to the destruction of numerous buildings and forced additional evacuations. According to David Acuna, a battalion chief with the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, the fire is now the seventh-largest in the state’s history and continues to expand rapidly.
Over the course of three days, the fire has advanced north through Butte and Tehama counties. Fueled by strong winds and high temperatures, the fire’s progress has been hindered by its remote location, making it challenging for fire crews to access. Starting at 178,090 acres on Friday, the fire grew to 350,012 acres by late Saturday afternoon with containment dropping from 3% to 0%.
Despite the challenging conditions, there is hope with a shift in weather patterns. Cooler temperatures and higher humidity have been observed in the Sacramento River Valley and Sierra Nevada foothills, offering some relief to firefighters. Reduction in temperatures from the mid-80s on Saturday and increased humidity have improved conditions for combating the fire.
The fire has already destroyed at least 134 buildings, while another 4,200 structures are currently under threat. Approximately 2,500 firefighters are working to contain the blaze, which has produced a massive mushroom cloud visible for miles. Communities like Cohasset and Forest Ranch were prioritized for protection efforts, with evacuations affecting about 4,000 people.
In addition to homes and structures, the fire also poses a threat to wildlife habitats. Critical salmon habitats along two creeks are in danger, raising concerns among scientists and officials about the impact on the struggling salmon population. The fire’s path into the Ishi Wilderness and Lassen foothills, areas with a long absence of fire activity, adds to the challenges faced by firefighting teams.
Authorities have arrested a 42-year-old Chico resident, Ronnie Dean Stout II, on suspicion of arson for allegedly starting the Park fire. The arrest comes amidst a high fire threat period in the region. The fire joins a list of several wildfires burning across California, including the Macy fire near Lake Elsinore, the Flynn fire in Altamont, and the Point fire in Contra Costa County.
As firefighting efforts continue, officials are hopeful that a forecasted decrease in temperatures over the weekend will aid in battling the Park fire and other ongoing blazes. With the unpredictable nature of weather patterns, responders remain vigilant in their efforts to contain the wildfires and protect communities at risk.