Park Fire Grows to 350,000 Acres with More Than 4,000 People Under Evacuation Order

The 350,000-acre Park Fire near Chico, California, remains active, although falling temperatures and increased humidity have somewhat reduced its intensity. The blaze, which started on Wednesday, has spread across four counties and is currently the largest fire burning in the United States.

CalFire reported that the Park Fire was caused by arson and has only been 10 percent contained as of Saturday night. Nearly 4,000 firefighters and other personnel are working to control the fire, which has already destroyed at least 20 structures.

Approximately 4,400 residents in the unincorporated areas of Butte County are under evacuation orders. Lassen Volcanic National Park has also been closed and evacuated as the fire approaches its western edge.

Butte County Sheriff Kory Honea emphasized the importance of the evacuation orders, urging residents to prioritize their safety.

The fire’s rapid expansion could slow down over the next few days due to cooler temperatures and less wind. However, climate scientist Daniel Swain from UCLA warned that another prolonged heat wave is forecasted for the fire zone this week, potentially exacerbating the situation.

“This fire will likely be burning for weeks, if not months,” Swain said to the New York Times, adding that the likelihood of containing the fire soon is very low. He also noted that the Park Fire is expected to be among the top five largest fires in California’s history and could even surpass the one million acres burned in the August Complex fire of 2020.

Currently, the Park Fire is expanding at a rate of up to 5,000 acres per hour and is already the seventh-largest fire in California’s history as of early Sunday morning.

This fire season could be particularly severe in California following two milder seasons. Forecasters predict above-average temperatures this summer, and the rainy conditions of the past two winters have promoted vegetation growth, providing ample fuel for wildfires.

Authorities continue to monitor the situation closely and urge residents to stay informed and follow evacuation orders as necessary. For more information and updates on the Park Fire, go here.