The largest fire in California's history destroyed over 140,000 hectares of land
This is one of the largest fires in California's history: The wildfire in the northern part of the US state has destroyed over 140,000 hectares of land according to authorities. The region near the city of Chico was particularly affected, where over 4000 people had to evacuate their homes due to the flames. The fire department stated that they were still far from getting the intense fires under control. "The extreme fire conditions continue to pose a challenge for firefighters," explained the California Fire Department in their online service X. The fire has since grown to become the seventh largest fire that California has experienced since record keeping began.
Despite the firefighting efforts of over 3700 firefighting personnel, more than a dozen helicopters, and several airplanes, only ten percent of the fire front was under control according to the latest reports. "Numerous firefighting aircraft from the entire state are flying suppression missions where conditions allow," explained Cal Fire. Lower temperatures and higher humidity would have reduced "fire activity," but the fire was still spreading.
The "Park Fire" wildfire broke out near Chico in the Butte County administrative district on Wednesday. Within hours, the flames had devastated a large area there and in the nearby Tehama County. On Thursday, the police arrested a 42-year-old suspect who allegedly pushed a burning car into a ravine and thus ignited the fire.
Chico is only about 24 kilometers from the city of Paradise. Paradise was devastated by a catastrophic fire in 2018, which resulted in 85 deaths and is known as the deadliest fire in California's history. Due to the explosive spread of the current fire, an evacuation alert was again issued for Paradise. "I don't want anyone else to go through this," said Ava Elsner, who lived through the fire in 2018 with CNN. "It's the most traumatic, terrifying, and sad thing when an entire community goes up in flames," Elsner added.
California is experiencing an early start to what appears to be an unusually intense wildfire season. Experts see climate change as the cause of extreme weather conditions. Meanwhile, a large fire in the neighboring state of Oregon has already destroyed over 117,000 hectares. According to authorities, it is currently only about 50 percent contained.
The wildfire has burned through over 140,000 hectares of land in California, making it one of the largest fires in the state's history. The fire in the northern region had a significant impact on the city of Chico, causing over 4000 residents to evacuate their homes. The history of wildfires in California has seen this fire grow to become the seventh largest.
Despite the efforts of over 3700 firefighters, 12 helicopters, and several airplanes, only ten percent of the fire front has been contained. The "Park Fire" wildfire, which began near Chico, has devastated a large area, including parts of the nearby Tehama County.
The city of Chico is situated close to Paradise, a city that was devastated by a catastrophic fire in 2018, resulting in 85 deaths and becoming California's deadliest fire. Due to the rapid spread of the current fire, another evacuation alert has been issued for Paradise.
The wildfires in California and Oregon are part of an unusual and intense wildfire season that experts attribute to climate change. The fire in Oregon has already destroyed over 117,000 hectares and is only 50% contained.
