Wildfires are ravaging the western United States and Canada, putting millions of people under air quality alerts. Thousands of firefighters are battling the flames, including the largest wildfire in California this year.
The Park Fire in California has burned an area larger than Los Angeles as of Sunday, spreading smoke and decreasing air quality across the northwestern U.S. and western Canada. The blaze has consumed over 550 square miles of inland Northern California.
Firefighters made progress on Saturday due to cooler temperatures and increased humidity, raising containment from zero to 12%. The fire has drawn comparisons to the devastating 2018 Camp Fire that destroyed Paradise, claiming 85 lives and 11,000 homes.
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Evacuation warnings were issued for Paradise and other Butte County communities on Sunday. Cal Fire reported positive developments, stating that the Park Fire’s southernmost front, closest to Paradise, was under control. Crews are now focusing on hot spots and hazards, with no immediate threat to Chico.
First responders shifted their focus from saving lives and property to battling the fire directly, with nearly 4,000 firefighters on the ground. The fire’s rapid growth has surprised officials and required reinforcements to relieve exhausted local firefighters.
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While some areas of the fires showed signs of improvement by Sunday, devastation was evident in Cohasset. In Southern California, a fire in the Sequoia National Forest prompted evacuations, as strong winds fueled its spread across 60 square miles in just four days.
The National Weather Service issued a “red flag” warning due to dry conditions and high winds, increasing the fire danger. Officials warned that remaining complacent or ignoring evacuation orders only heightens the risk to everyone.
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Despite no reported fatalities in the Park and Borel fires, authorities emphasized the importance of heeding evacuation orders to prevent endangering rescue efforts. Crews continued to make progress on fires near the California-Nevada border in the Plumas National Forest.
While the region expects cooler temperatures, meteorologists stress that existing fires will not disappear. The Park Fire has destroyed structures, but the number has been revised after on-site assessments. The fire was ignited by an individual who pushed a burning car into a gully in Chico.
Over 100 wildfires were burning in the U.S. on Sunday, with climate change contributing to increased lightning strikes in the western U.S. amid scorching heat and dry conditions.
