Firefighters in northern California have contained 34% of the Park Fire, which has scorched over 400,000 acres. Hot and dry weather is expected to complicate efforts in the coming days.
The #ParkFire in northern California has burned 164,000 acres since igniting Wednesday. Ronnie Dean Stout II, 42, was arrested for arson. The Butter County District Attorney says Stout lit his mother’s car on fire & pushed it into a gully in Chico, igniting the Park Fire. @ABC30 pic.twitter.com/w526yiTFfW
— Jessica Harrington (@JessicaABC30) July 26, 2024
The Park Fire had burned 402,042 acres, equating to 628,000 square miles, by Monday morning, according to Cal Fire.
Ronnie Dean Stout II, 42, from Chico, California, was allegedly seen on 24 July pushing a flaming vehicle into a gully near Alligator Hole in upper Bidwell Park, sending it down a 60-foot embankment.
Witnesses reported that Stout left the scene by blending with other citizens fleeing the rapidly spreading fire.
Since the fire’s outbreak, approximately 640 structures have been destroyed, and 52 others have been damaged across Butte and Tehama counties, Cal Fire reports.
Fire officials stated Monday morning that a large dry air mass with rising temperatures was approaching, posing further challenges for crews on the northeast corner of the fire.
In a briefing, crews were urged to stay focused, flexible, and aggressive in battling the smoke and flames, closing off gaps, and strategically moving resources to areas where conditions could worsen.
Currently, about 6,600 crew members are fighting the fire, supported by 44 helicopters, 536 fire engines, 196 bulldozers, 154 water tenders, and 132 crews, according to Cal Fire’s website.
On Saturday, the Park Fire became the fourth-largest fire in California’s history.