A wildfire near Chico in Northern California has dramatically increased in size, prompting widespread evacuations and an arson arrest. The Park Fire, which ignited on Wednesday afternoon in a local park, has grown from 6,400 acres late Wednesday night to 45,550 acres by Thursday morning, and then to a staggering 164,000 acres—equivalent to 256 square miles—by early Friday, according to Cal Fire. Containment efforts have only managed to secure 3% of the blaze.
Rapid Fire Spread and Arrest
The fire’s rapid expansion has been erratic, with flames spreading in multiple directions depending on wind patterns. “This fire has fingers that are growing in different directions depending on which way the wind is blowing,” said Butte County Sheriff Kory Honea.
Cal Fire arson investigators have arrested a 42-year-old man from Chico, identified as Ronnie Dean Stout II, on suspicion of starting the fire. Butte County District Attorney Mike Ramsey explained that Stout’s arrest followed reports of a man pushing a burning car into a gully around 3 p.m. on Wednesday in the upper part of Bidwell Park, where the fire originated. The car slid 60 feet down an embankment, igniting the Park Fire. Witnesses saw the suspect calmly leave the area with other evacuees as the fire quickly spread. An arrest warrant was issued Thursday morning, and Stout was detained in the Butte County Jail without bond until his arraignment on Monday.
Evacuations and Immediate Impact
Authorities in Butte County and neighboring Tehama County have issued numerous evacuation orders and warnings as the fire grew. Shelters have been established for displaced residents and animals. By early Thursday, California Governor Gavin Newsom’s office announced that 3,500 people had already been evacuated from the area. Although the number of structures damaged or destroyed has not been officially estimated, footage shows several homes lost to the fire. One resident, Julia Yarbough, watched her house burn via her home security camera.
State and Federal Response
Governor Newsom announced that the state has received a grant from FEMA to aid in the response to the rapidly expanding fire. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security confirmed the grant, emphasizing the urgent need for assistance. At the time of Newsom’s request, approximately 1,100 homes in the towns of Eco, Richardson Springs, and Cohasset were directly threatened. These areas, home to around 10,000 people, faced significant danger even before the fire’s size increased seven-fold.
Cal Fire reported that over 1,153 personnel are currently battling the blaze. Despite the arrest of the arson suspect, investigations into the fire’s origins are ongoing, stated District Attorney Ramsey. The Park Fire is currently the largest wildfire burning in California, but it is not the only one. In Oregon, the Durkee Fire has grown so large and intense that it has created its weather system. The challenges faced by firefighters and residents in both states highlight the severity of this wildfire season.