CHICO – A raging wildfire in northern California has quickly escalated to become one of the largest in the state’s history, authorities reported on July 27. The Park Fire has burned nearly 350,000 acres (142,000 hectares) as of late morning on July 27, positioning it as the seventh-largest wildfire ever recorded in California, according to the state agency Cal Fire.
This massive fire has forced the evacuation of more than 4,000 people from their homes. It is burning through a predominantly rural and mountainous area near the city of Chico, approximately 145 km north of Sacramento, the state capital.
Cal Fire stated on X (formerly Twitter) that “extreme fire conditions continue to challenge firefighters.” The fire remains completely uncontrolled, with efforts from about 2,500 personnel, over a dozen helicopters, and several planes yet to make a significant impact.
“The Park Fire continued to burn aggressively due to steep terrain and winds. Extreme fire behavior has occurred due to the slope and winds aligning, causing significant growth,” Cal Fire noted in an update. However, cooler weather and increased moisture are expected in the region, which may aid firefighting efforts.
The fire ignited on July 24 near Chico, in Butte County, and rapidly spread, affecting a wide area including neighboring Tehama County. The latest update from Cal Fire indicated that 134 structures have been destroyed.
The blaze has produced a massive column of dense grey smoke, affecting air quality in nearby states. On July 25, authorities detained a 42-year-old man suspected of starting the fire by pushing a burning car into a ravine.
Residents like Julia Yarbough have witnessed their homes reduced to ashes. “This is what’s left of my house,” she told CBS on July 26, pointing to the blackened and still smoking debris.
Chico is located only about 24 km from Paradise, a city that was devastated by the 2018 Camp Fire, California’s deadliest wildfire, which claimed 85 lives. The rapid spread of the Park Fire has placed Paradise under an evacuation warning, triggering painful memories for its residents.
Experts attribute the increasing severity of wildfires to climate change, exacerbated by human activities, which is leading to more extreme weather events.