Wildfires continue to ravage the western United States, driven by record-breaking drought conditions and scorching temperatures. California is currently battling one of its largest fires in history, while Colorado faces rapidly expanding blazes that have tragically claimed a life.
The Park Fire in northern California stands as the nation's largest active wildfire, scorching over 391,000 acres (1,582 square kilometers) as of Wednesday afternoon. This makes it the fifth-largest fire in the state's history, reports the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire).
With only 18 percent containment, the Park Fire burns aggressively across multiple fronts. The agency warns that heavy fuels and near-record dryness levels are exacerbating the situation, leading to widespread smoke and hazardous air quality.
Four counties—Butte, Plumas, Shasta, and Tehama—are severely affected. Damage assessments reveal that 361 structures have been destroyed and 36 others damaged in Butte and Tehama counties alone. Over 5,800 firefighters are on the ground, utilizing 521 fire engines and 41 helicopters in an intense battle against the flames.
The Park Fire ignited on July 24 near Chico and has been traced back to arson. A 42-year-old man, Ronnie Dean Stout II, was arrested and charged with reckless arson, marking a significant development in the fight against these relentless wildfires.
Elsewhere, the Borel Fire in Kern County has engulfed 58,682 acres (237 square kilometers), with containment efforts progressing to 34 percent. This fire, which started on July 24 following a fatal car accident, experienced heightened severity on Wednesday due to ongoing red-flag weather conditions.
A new threat has emerged with the Pedro Fire near New Don Pedro Reservoir, rapidly spreading to 3,647 acres (15 square kilometers) across Mariposa and Tuolumne counties. With a mere 7 percent containment, the Pedro Fire poses active threats to structures and power lines, prompting evacuation orders and heightened warnings.
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Wildfires continue ravaging western U.S. amid record drought
cgtn.com
