Massive California Wildfire Consumes 5,000 Acres Per Hour

A massive wildfire, known as the Park Fire, is rapidly spreading across northern California, growing by 8 square miles (20 square kilometers) every hour. Since its suspected arson start on Wednesday, the blaze has scorched over 350,000 acres northeast of Chico, making it the largest wildfire in California this year. As of Sunday morning, the fire was only 10% contained, according to Cal Fire, the state’s fire agency.

Approximately 2,500 firefighters are actively battling the flames, which are being fueled by steep terrain and strong wind gusts. A 42-year-old man has been arrested in connection with the fire, suspected of starting it by rolling a burning car into a gully near Alligator Hole in Butte County.

The fire’s current size surpasses 1.5 times that of New York City’s five boroughs. Cal Fire incident commander Billy See reported that the fire has been advancing at a rate of 5,000 acres per hour. During an operational briefing, Mr. See highlighted that despite tripling the number of personnel from Friday to Saturday, resources remain insufficient.

Scott Weese, a fire behaviorist with Cal Fire, emphasized the high fuel load in the area, consisting of abundant grass, which is contributing to the fire’s intensity. “The heat signature is huge,” Weese noted, mentioning that the fire engulfed 150,000 acres on the previous day.

Authorities are cautiously optimistic that Saturday’s improved weather conditions could aid in containing the blaze. Wind speeds have decreased, and temperatures have dropped by about 15°F, although they still hover in the low 90s (32°C) in some areas.

In response to the Park Fire, California Governor Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency in Butte and Tehama counties on Friday. “We are using every available tool to protect lives and property as our fire and emergency response teams work around the clock to combat these challenging fires,” he stated.

The firefighting efforts include at least 16 helicopters and multiple air tankers that are deploying water from the sky when conditions permit. Despite the challenges, the firefighting teams remain determined to bring the fire under control and safeguard the affected communities.