California Wildfire Grows Larger than Los Angeles as Flames Rage On

Photo : Reuters

A massive wildfire in California, now the fifth-largest in the state's history, expanded to over 600 square miles on Tuesday, eclipsing the size of Los Angeles. Known as the Park Fire, this blaze has grown to 385,065 acres (155,830 hectares) and is currently raging in the Central Valley, roughly 90 miles north of Sacramento.

Fire officials report that the Park Fire, fueled by dry grass, brush, and timber, has become a significant challenge for firefighters. More than 5,500 personnel from California and other states are working tirelessly to contain the fire, which has now surpassed the size of the 2020 Creek Fire in Fresno County, which burned nearly 380,000 acres. However, it remains smaller than the August Complex fire of 2020, the largest wildfire on record in the state, which consumed over 1 million acres across seven counties.

Fire Captain Dan Collins of the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire) described the fire as fast-moving and difficult to access due to its extensive fuel sources. The fire line stretches 260 miles, roughly equivalent to the perimeter of three Lake Tahoes. Collins noted the challenges in deploying personnel across rugged terrain, with operations hampered by limited access.

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The weather forecast adds to the challenge, with only a slight chance of a stray thunderstorm on Tuesday. The rest of the week is expected to bring hot and dry conditions, with temperatures reaching 100 degrees Fahrenheit (37.8°C) and humidity dropping as low as 7%. These conditions exacerbate the fire's growth and complicate firefighting efforts.

The Park Fire remains just 14% contained as of Tuesday. The blaze has forced the evacuation of over 4,000 residents and resulted in the destruction or damage of more than 192 structures. Despite the extensive damage, there have been no reported injuries or fatalities.

The fire's response has been complicated by smoke clouds that have grounded 41 helicopters used for water and chemical drops. Evacuations include the town of Paradise, which was devastated by the 2018 Camp Fire, the deadliest wildfire in California’s history.

Ronnie Dean Stout II, 42, of Chico, California, has been charged with arson in connection with the Park Fire. Stout allegedly ignited the fire by pushing a flaming car down a gully in Butte County last Wednesday. At his arraignment on Monday, Stout denied wrongdoing but was denied bail. Additional charges may be filed as the investigation continues.

Butte County District Attorney Mike Ramsey confirmed that Stout did not enter a plea during the arraignment, which has been postponed to Thursday pending further charges. It remains unclear if Stout has retained legal representation.