Thousands evacuated from Park Fire burning near Chico, California
The Park Fire, burning near Chico in Northern California, is currently California’s largest wildfire of 2024 and is ranked among the top 10 largest wildfires in state history. The Park Fire continues to grow, resulting in thousands of people being forced to evacuate their homes.
CHICO, Calif. – Weather conditions in Northern California have eased some of the activity associated with the Park Fire burning near Chico, but thousands of firefighters are still working tirelessly in the air and on the ground to contain the wildfire that has destroyed numerous structures and is threatening thousands more.
Cal Fire estimated the Park Fire had burned more than 350,000 acres as of Sunday, making it the seventh-largest fire in California.
California’s Park Fire becomes largest in state history as evacuations spread
At least 20 buildings have been destroyed and another 4,200 are at risk, according to fire officials. Thousands of people in more than 80 community zones across four counties are now under evacuation warnings.
“Fire activity is decreasing due to cooler temperatures and increased humidity,” CAL fire officials said in an update Saturday night. “The fire continues to spread through multiple drainage channels. The fire is burning through grasses, shrubs, mixed wood and dead vegetation.”
No fatalities have been reported so far, but several minor injuries have been reported.
Wildfire smoke tracking: Smoke forecast maps, air quality measurements, and more
The Park Fire is California’s largest wildfire of 2024 and the seventh largest wildfire in state history. As of Sunday, the Park Fire had burned 350,012 acres and was only 10% contained.
Vanessa Sterling, who lives near the hard-hit town of Cohasset, told FOX 2 Bay Area she heard the noise as she was evacuating her home.
“It was pretty bad. There was one area where there was a little fire tornado and we could just hear it roaring. We could even hear the fire roaring as we were leaving the house,” Sterling said, worried about her family’s home. “We have land that’s been in the family since 1905.”
WATCH: A “firenade” breaks out along the Park Fire in California. Here’s how it happened
TOP SHOT – A building engulfed in flames is seen as the Park Fire continues to burn near Paynes Creek in unincorporated Tehama County, California, on July 26, 2024. A large, fast-spreading wildfire in Northern California has forced the evacuation of more than 4,000 people as firefighters battle gusting winds and dangerously dry conditions, authorities said on July 26. (Photo by Josh Edelson/AFP) (Photo by Josh Edelson/AFP via Getty Images) ( )
CHICO, CALIFORNIA – JULY 26, 2024: Huge pyrocumulus clouds rise from the Park Fire, which has grown to 239,152 acres and is 0% contained, as it rapidly spreads near Chico, California on July 26, 2024. High winds and dry vegetation fueled the blaze, which a man allegedly intentionally set on fire by driving a burning car into a ravine, causing it to burn 70,000 acres in the first 24 hours. In 2018, the Camp Fire engulfed thousands of people and became the deadliest and most destructive fire in California history, destroying more than 18,000 structures and killing 85 people in the nearby town of Paradise. (Photo by David McNew/Getty Images) ( )
Flames from the Park Fire cross Highway 36 near Paynes Creek in unincorporated Tehama County, California, on July 26, 2024. More than 1,150 personnel are battling the blaze, which has burned more than 180,000 acres, destroyed dozens of homes and forced the evacuation of more than 3,500 people, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection. (Photo by Josh Edelson/AFP) (Photo by Josh Edelson/AFP via Getty Images) ( )
Resident Grant Douglas drinks water while evacuating his wife and dog as the Park Fire continues to burn near Paynes Creek in unincorporated Tehama County, California, on July 26, 2024. More than 1,150 personnel are battling the blaze, which has burned more than 180,000 acres, destroyed dozens of homes and forced the evacuation of more than 3,500 people, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection. (Photo by Josh Edelson/AFP) (Photo by Josh Edelson/AFP via Getty Images) ( )
Surrounded by flames, resident Grant Douglas takes a breather on the side of the road as he evacuates his wife and dog as the Park Fire continues to burn near Paynes Creek in unincorporated Tehama County, California, on July 26, 2024. More than 1,150 personnel are battling the blaze, which has burned more than 180,000 acres, destroyed dozens of homes and forced the evacuation of more than 3,500 people, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection. (Photo by Josh Edelson/AFP) (Photo by Josh Edelson/AFP via Getty Images) ( )
A car burns in the Park Fire near Chico, California, USA, Friday, July 26, 2024. California arson investigators have arrested a man suspected of starting the state’s largest wildfire this year, which has prompted evacuations and threatened the state’s power grid. Photo by Benjamin Fanjoy/Bloomberg via Getty Images ()
The Park Fire burns near Chico, California, USA, Friday, July 26, 2024. California arson investigators have arrested a man suspected of starting the state’s largest wildfire this year. The inferno has prompted evacuations and threatened the state’s power grid. Photo by Benjamin Fanjoy/Bloomberg via Getty Images ()
A car burns in the Park Fire near Chico, California, USA, Friday, July 26, 2024. California arson investigators have arrested a man suspected of starting the state’s largest wildfire this year, which has prompted evacuations and threatened the state’s power grid. Photo by Benjamin Fanjoy/Bloomberg via Getty Images ()
Trees burn in the Park Fire near Chico, California, USA, Friday, July 26, 2024. California arson investigators have arrested a man suspected of starting the state’s largest wildfire this year. The inferno has prompted evacuations and threatened the state’s power grid. Photo by Benjamin Fanjoy/Bloomberg via Getty Images ()
A building is engulfed in flames as the Park Fire continues to burn near Paynes Creek in unincorporated Tehama County, California, on July 26, 2024. A large, fast-spreading wildfire in Northern California has forced the evacuation of more than 4,000 people as firefighters battle gusting winds and dangerously dry conditions, authorities said on July 26. (Photo: Josh Edelson/AFP) (Photo: Josh Edelson/AFP via Getty Images) ( )
A car drives through flames crossing Highway 36 as the Park Fire continues to burn near Paynes Creek in unincorporated Tehama County, California, on July 26, 2024. A large, fast-moving and rapidly spreading wildfire in Northern California has forced the evacuation of more than 4,000 people as firefighters battle gusting winds and dangerously dry conditions, authorities said on July 26. (Photo by Josh Edelson/AFP) (Photo by Josh Edelson/AFP via Getty Images) ( )
A car drives along Highway 36 as flames rage across the area as the Park Fire continues to burn near Paynes Creek in unincorporated Tehama County, California, on July 26, 2024. A large, fast-moving and rapidly spreading wildfire in Northern California has forced the evacuation of more than 4,000 people as firefighters battle gusting winds and dangerously dry conditions, authorities said on July 26. (Photo: Josh Edelson/AFP) (Photo: Josh Edelson/AFP via Getty Images) ( )
A police vehicle drives past billowing embers as the Park Fire continues to burn near Paynes Creek in unincorporated Tehama County, California, on July 26, 2024. A large, fast-moving and rapidly spreading wildfire in Northern California has forced the evacuation of more than 4,000 people as firefighters battle gusting winds and dangerously dry conditions, authorities said on July 26. (Photo: Josh Edelson/AFP) (Photo: Josh Edelson/AFP via Getty Images) ( )
A fire truck drives past a burning highway guardrail as the Park Fire continues to burn near Paynes Creek in unincorporated Tehama County, California, on July 26, 2024. A large, fast-moving and rapidly spreading wildfire in Northern California has forced the evacuation of more than 4,000 people as firefighters battle gusting winds and dangerously dry conditions, authorities said on July 26. (Photo: Josh Edelson/AFP) (Photo: Josh Edelson/AFP via Getty Images) ( )
A burning vehicle is seen as the Park Fire continues to burn near Paynes Creek in unincorporated Tehama County, California, on July 26, 2024. A large, fast-spreading wildfire in Northern California has forced the evacuation of more than 4,000 people as firefighters battle gusting winds and dangerously dry conditions, authorities said on July 26. (Photo: Josh Edelson/AFP) (Photo: Josh Edelson/AFP via Getty Images) ( )
A burning vehicle is seen as the Park Fire continues to burn near Paynes Creek in unincorporated Tehama County, California, on July 26, 2024. A large, fast-spreading wildfire in Northern California has forced the evacuation of more than 4,000 people as firefighters battle gusting winds and dangerously dry conditions, authorities said on July 26. (Photo: Josh Edelson/AFP) (Photo: Josh Edelson/AFP via Getty Images) ( )
An evacuation warning was issued for the entire town of Paradise, California, on Friday, meaning all residents should prepare to evacuate in case the fire approaches.
“Due to fire activity and projected wind speeds, all Paradise residents should be prepared to evacuate and await further information,” Cal Fire said.
It’s a particular reminder of the dangers of wildfires in a region that was devastated in 2018 by the fast-spreading Camp Fire, which spread through town and killed dozens of people.
Roads were closed throughout the region and shelters were opened for displaced residents in Red Bluff, Los Molinos and the Butte County Fairgrounds in Gridley, in addition to the one in Chico.
More than 3,720 firefighters were battling the blaze as of Sunday morning, and California Governor Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency, authorizing the deployment of additional state resources to the area to help fight the blaze.
The arson suspect remains in jail awaiting indictment.
Time-lapse video shows California’s Park Fire growing in size
The Northern California wildfire, the Park Fire, began the day before in Chico and grew to more than 45,000 acres by the morning of July 25. (Video: ALERTCalifornia | UC San Diego via Storyful)
Investigators say the Park Fire began as a bizarre case of arson on Wednesday.
Butte County District Attorney Mike Ramsey said witnesses saw fire coming from under the left wheelbase of a car believed to belong to the suspect’s mother, and a man standing next to the vehicle watched the car burn.
Investigators said the man stayed inside the vehicle for a short time before getting out and pushing the burning vehicle down a 60-foot bank into a ravine, where the vehicle eventually became engulfed in flames and spread to nearby brush before eventually catching fire on a nearby residential street.
The suspect was identified that evening and arrested early Thursday morning. He is being held in the Butte County Jail without bail and is scheduled to be arraigned on Monday.
Weather finally gives firefighters a break
After days of battling triple-digit heat and high winds that led to fire weather warnings across much of Northern California, a shift in weather patterns has finally given firefighters a temporary reprieve.
Not only are cool ocean breezes blowing inland, dropping temperatures to the upper 80s to low 90s Fahrenheit, but humidity is also on the rise.
However, temperatures are set to rise further later this week, with temperatures potentially reaching triple digits again.
