A massive “firenado” has torn through California as a wildfire continues to spread rapidly, consuming over 350,000 acres of land north-east of Chico. The Park fire, suspected to have been started by arson, has been fueled by steep terrain and strong wind gusts, growing at a rate of 8 sq miles an hour.
With only 10% containment as of Sunday morning, the fire has become the largest in the state this year and the seventh largest ever recorded in California. The sheer scale of the blaze has posed a significant challenge for the 3,700 firefighters battling the inferno.
Authorities have arrested a 42-year-old man in connection with the fire, accusing him of rolling a burning car into a gully near Alligator Hole in Butte County. The suspect is being held without bail as investigations continue.
The intensity of the fire has led to the formation of a rare “firenado,” a swirling vortex of flames and ash, further complicating firefighting efforts. Despite some easing of conditions over the weekend, the fire continues to spread, with 134 structures destroyed and 4,200 under threat.
California Governor Gavin Newsom has declared a state of emergency in Butte and Tehama counties, urging residents to heed warnings and stay safe. The wildfire has forced mandatory evacuations in Butte, where the devastating Camp Fire claimed over 80 lives in 2018.
The Park fire is just one of many wildfires burning across the US and Canada, with the National Interagency Fire Center monitoring 102 large fires in the US alone. The impact of these fires is widespread, with communities and wildlife facing significant challenges in the face of these destructive blazes.
