A massive wildfire, aptly named the Park Fire, continues to rage through northern California, marking it as the largest wildfire of the year in the western United States. Since its ignition on Wednesday afternoon near Chico, just north of Sacramento, the fire has rapidly expanded, consuming over 664 square kilometers by Friday morning.
Local officials and the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire) report that the blaze has already destroyed 134 structures and poses a threat to an additional 4,200 buildings. Despite the relentless efforts of firefighting crews, only 3 percent of the fire has been contained as of Friday morning.
Cal Fire emphasized the challenging conditions contributing to the fire's intensity, citing hot and dry weather, gusty winds, and low humidity under a Red Flag Warning. The Park Fire is burning through a mix of grass, brush, timber, and dead vegetation, making containment efforts particularly difficult.
Thousands of residents have been evacuated to ensure their safety as crews work around the clock to control the spread of the fire. The situation remains critical, with authorities urging the public to stay informed and follow evacuation orders as the Park Fire continues to devastate the region.
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Massive fire rages in northern California, thousands evacuated
cgtn.com
