The Park Fire has burned over 149,700 hectares, prompting massive evacuations and drawing thousands of firefighters.
LOS ANGELES – On July 29, 2024, California’s largest wildfire of the year continued to spread, forcing thousands of evacuations and causing widespread destruction. The Park Fire, located outside Chico in northern California, has been burning since July 24 and has already consumed more than 149,700 hectares, an area larger than the city of Los Angeles.
Firefighting Efforts and Risks
Nearly 4,900 firefighters have been mobilized to battle the flames, aided by 33 helicopters, 400 fire trucks, and numerous aircraft. As of the latest report, the fire is 12% contained, with firefighters making some progress due to a slight drop in temperatures. However, authorities are still urging extreme caution, as the fire remains volatile and unpredictable.
Over 26,000 residents have been forced to evacuate, and local officials are closely monitoring the situation due to the high risk of further fire escalation. “This fire is extremely unstable and unpredictable,” Tehama County Sheriff Dave Kain said, noting that areas previously considered safe have reignited.
Cause and Impact
The fire is progressing rapidly, aided by dry vegetation and the ongoing heatwaves that have plagued California and the western U.S. since June. The terrain in the area, which has not seen significant fires in decades, is fueling the rapid spread of the fire.
The Park Fire brings back haunting memories of the 2018 Paradise Fire, where 85 people died. The town of Paradise, located about 20 km from the current fire, is under alert, and some residents in nearby areas have chosen to stay behind, prepared to defend their homes.
Local authorities have arrested a 42-year-old man suspected of starting the fire by pushing a burning car into a ravine. The fire has spread quickly, exacerbated by climate change and rising temperatures.
With multiple fires burning across the U.S., including several in Oregon, air quality alerts have been issued in many areas due to the smoke. Repeated heatwaves and extreme weather events are now seen as consequences of climate change, which is linked to human activities, especially fossil fuel reliance.
