Firefighters in Northern California have made significant progress in containing the state’s largest blaze this year, thanks in part to improving weather conditions over the weekend.
Close to 5,000 firefighters are currently working on containing the Park Fire, with more reinforcements expected from other parts of California and the U.S.
Despite challenging topography that was causing difficulties for handcrews and ground vehicles, fire officials reported on Monday that containment efforts were advancing. Crews had established contingency lines beyond the current fire edge as a precautionary measure in case the fire spreads towards local communities.
The Park Fire, believed to be caused by arson, has burned approximately 370,000 acres across Butte, Plumas, Shasta, and Tehama counties – an area roughly half the size of Rhode Island. The fire has destroyed 111 structures, with 4,200 people still under evacuation orders.
Butte County Sheriff Kory Honea urged residents to remain calm and respectful towards dispatchers, traffic controllers, and other first responders during evacuations and response efforts.
No fatalities have been reported in connection to the Park Fire, which has now become the sixth-largest wildfire in California’s history, according to CalFire officials.
RELATED STORY | California’s largest wildfire explodes in size as fires rage across US West
California Gov. Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency in Butte, Plumas, and Tehama counties to facilitate easier access to unemployment benefits for impacted residents and waive fees for replacing important documents like driver’s licenses and birth certificates.
The Butte County Air Quality Management District and the Butte County Public Health Department jointly declared a local health emergency due to hazardous materials found in ash and debris from the fire, prompting air quality alerts across northwestern U.S. and western Canada.
As of Monday afternoon, the Park Fire was 12% contained, with increased humidity aiding containment efforts over the weekend. The governor’s office announced the acquisition of federal assistance and resources to help control the fire.
The Park Fire began last Wednesday after a man from Chico, identified as Ronnie Dean Stout II, allegedly started the fire by pushing a burning car into a gulley near Upper Bidwell Park, according to CalFire investigators. Stout has been arrested and charged with arson, currently held at Butte County Jail.
