On Friday evening, California’s largest active fire experienced rapid growth, fueled by bone-dry conditions, and posed a significant threat to thousands of homes. The Park Fire’s intensity prompted comparisons to the devastating Camp Fire in 2018, which resulted in numerous fatalities and destroyed thousands of homes in Paradise.
As of Friday night, the fire had scorched 374 square miles (967 square kilometers) and had destroyed over 130 structures. Evacuations were ordered in Butte, Plumas, Tehama, and Shasta counties as the fire continued to move rapidly north and east.
Cal Fire incident commander Billy See expressed concern about the fire’s rapid pace of advancement, stating that it was spreading at a rate of up to 8 square miles (21 square kilometers) per hour. Evacuations were ordered in various communities, including Mineral, as the fire threatened Lassen Volcanic National Park and surrounding areas.
Across the U.S. West and Canada, numerous communities were facing wildfires. Tragedy struck in eastern Oregon, where a pilot lost his life in a plane crash while battling one of the many wildfires plaguing Western states.
The National Interagency Fire Center reported over 110 active fires encompassing 2,800 square miles (7,250 square kilometers) burning in the U.S. on Friday. Climate change has led to an increase in lightning strikes and extreme heat, exacerbating fire conditions.
Firefighters were also battling blazes in eastern Washington and Idaho, where lightning-induced fires forced evacuations and caused significant damage. In California, evacuees like Carli Parker from Chico expressed anxiety about the safety of their homes in the face of the approaching fire.
Despite the devastation caused by these fires, communities showed resilience in the face of adversity. Sherry Alpers, an evacuee from Forest Ranch, prioritized the safety of her dogs over material possessions, while Brian Bowles faced tough decisions about where to seek shelter.
Tragically, fires continued to claim lives, with a pilot losing his life in Oregon and widespread destruction reported in Canadian Rockies’ Jasper National Park. The collective effort of firefighters and emergency personnel across multiple states highlighted the ongoing battle against these relentless wildfires.
Contributions to this report were made by various Associated Press writers.
