California’s largest active fire grew rapidly on Friday evening, posing a threat to thousands of homes as firefighters worked to contain it. The intensity and swift spread of the Park Fire drew comparisons to the devastating Camp Fire in 2018, which claimed many lives and destroyed numerous homes in Paradise.
Over 130 structures have already been consumed by the blaze, and evacuations have been issued in Butte, Plumas, Tehama, and Shasta counties. The fire, which started on Wednesday after a man pushed a burning car into a gully, stood at 480 square miles on Friday night and was rapidly moving north and east.
Cal Fire incident commander Billy See expressed concern about the fire’s rapid pace, stating that it was advancing up to 8 square miles an hour. Evacuations were ordered in Lassen Volcanic National Park, as the flames moved north and east towards the park.
Several other communities in the U.S. and Canada were also under threat from wildfires on Friday. In eastern Oregon, a pilot died in a plane crash while battling a wildfire. The National Interagency Fire Center reported over 110 active fires burning across 2,800 square miles in the U.S., with many ignited by lightning strikes due to extreme weather conditions.
Efforts were being made to contain the fires, with dozens of crews working across the affected regions. Evacuated residents shared their experiences, with some unsure of the fate of their homes but prioritizing the safety of their families and pets.
As the situation remained fluid, authorities urged residents to stay informed and follow evacuation orders to ensure their safety. The ongoing wildfires serve as a stark reminder of the increasing threat posed by climate change and the urgent need for proactive measures to address it.
