The Park Fire in Northern California has exploded in size, consuming over 307,000 acres and becoming the 8th largest wildfire in the state’s history. The blaze remains entirely uncontained, with fire officials reporting 0% containment as of Saturday. This massive fire has forced the evacuation of more than 4,000 residents from communities including Cohasset and Forest Ranch.The fire’s rapid spread, fueled by hot weather, low humidity, and strong winds, has resulted in the destruction of at least 134 structures, with 4,200 more threatened. Firefighters are battling challenging conditions, with the fire advancing at a rate of up to 8 square miles per hour at its peak. However, cooler temperatures and increased humidity on Saturday may help slow the fire’s spread, though officials caution it’s still a dynamic situation.The Park Fire is part of a larger pattern of destructive wildfires across the Western United States and Canada. In the US, over 110 active fires are burning across more than 5,800 square miles, while Canada is battling over 3,700 fires. The National Interagency Fire Center reports that over 27,000 fires have burned more than 5,800 square miles in the US this year.Authorities have arrested 42-year-old Ronnie Dean Stout II on suspicion of starting the fire by allegedly pushing a burning car into a gully. The suspect is being held without bail.The fire’s proximity to Paradise, the site of the devastating 2018 Camp Fire that killed 85 people, has raised concerns among residents and officials alike. Butte County Sheriff Kory Honea has urged residents to be prepared to evacuate immediately, stating, ‘If the fire spreads, I cannot guarantee their safety’.In response to the crisis, California Governor Gavin Newsom has declared a state of emergency in the affected counties. The situation remains critical, with firefighters and residents bracing for potential further spread of the fire.
Key points
- The Park Fire has grown to over 307,000 acres, becoming California’s 8th largest wildfire in history.
- More than 4,000 residents have been evacuated, with 134 structures destroyed and 4,200 more threatened.
- Cooler temperatures and increased humidity may help slow the fire’s spread, but the situation remains critical.
- 42-year-old Ronnie Dean Stout II has been arrested on suspicion of starting the fire.
Contradictions👾While most sources report the fire size as over 307,000 acres, some articles mention it covering nearly 500,000 acres.
This discrepancy might be due to different reporting times or measurement methods.
