A wildfire in California has rapidly grown to become the largest of the year, tripling in size in just one day. Authorities have determined that the fire, known as the Park Fire, was started by a burning car that was pushed into a gully by a man in Bidwell Park in Butte County. The man, a 42-year-old resident of Chico, was arrested for his actions.
The Park Fire has already burned over 257 square miles near Chico, prompting evacuations in Butte and Tehama counties. Only 3% of the fire has been contained as of Friday morning, with thousands of residents forced to leave their homes. The dry conditions, hot weather, low humidity, and wind have all contributed to the fire's rapid spread, according to officials.
Meanwhile, in Northern California near the Nevada line, the Gold Complex fires have displaced around 1,000 people. Lightning sparked these fires, which have burned over 4 square miles in the Plumas National Forest. Although there have been no reports of structural damage or serious injuries, the fires remain at zero containment due to gusty winds.
In Southern California, the Grove Fire is threatening homes in northern San Diego County. Evacuation orders are in place, with the fire being 10% contained as of Thursday afternoon. Residents in the area are urged to stay vigilant.
As wildfires continue to ravage the Western United States, Oregon residents in some areas have been allowed to return home following a thunderstorm that brought much-needed rain. However, the Durkee Fire on the Oregon-Idaho border remains unpredictable and is only 20% contained.
Across the Pacific Northwest and western Canada, wildfires have been exacerbated by climate change, with record-breaking heat and dry conditions fueling the blazes. In Idaho, pre-emptive power outages have been implemented to prevent new fire starts caused by downed power lines during high winds.
The wildfires have led to poor air quality in many areas, with smoke and haze filling the skies. Overall, more than 1,500 square miles have burned in the region this summer, with Oregon alone experiencing over 30 large fires concentrated in the central and eastern parts of the state.
Efforts are ongoing to contain the fires and protect communities as firefighters face challenging conditions across the region.
