The Park Fire in Butte County – already the largest fire in California this year – grew to more than 164,000 acres by Friday morning, spreading rapidly and forcing more evacuation warnings.
For two days, driven by steady winds and high temperatures, the fire spread at an alarming rate and was so remote that it was difficult to extinguish. There were 164,286 acres listed Friday morning, with 3% included.
Forecasters say local conditions will remain a challenge.
The National Weather Service issued a red flag warning for the northern Sacramento Valley, including areas where the fire is spreading. Forecasters warned that wind gusts of up to 30 mph could push the fires north Friday night, which, along with lower humidity, “could lead to new fires and continued wildfires… that can grow quickly and dangerously in size and intensity.” ”.
It was one of several fires burning in California.
In Butte County, firefighters remain focused on protecting structures and the public until more personnel arrive.
The Butte County Sheriff’s Office has ordered residents in northeast Chico to evacuate. As of Thursday evening, more than 4,000 people had been evacuated, Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Megan McMann said. Several rural areas in Tehama County were also under evacuation orders.
The fire is burning north into the Ish Wilderness and Lassen Foothills, where experts say fires have not occurred in decades, if not a century.
“Once it gets into that area, it’s going to consume a lot of fuel,” Collins said.
“Many of us in firefighting have been waiting for this fire to happen for the past 25 years,” said Chico fire expert and geographer Zeke Lunder. Since there have been no recent fires, he said , the area became the hardest hit area by fires.
On Thursday afternoon, authorities announced the arrest of a 42-year-old Chico resident on suspicion of arson. Prosecutors say the man pushed a burning car into a ditch, sparking the fast-moving blaze.
