Park Fire: Largest California wildfire of 2024
CHICO, Calif. - Bay Area fire crews are among the 3,900 firefighters from around the state, now in Butte, Tehama, Shasta, and Plumas counties, battling the Park Fire, which began Wednesday and scorched more than 373,000 acres near Chico by Monday morning.
As crews battle the flames, containment of the fire has increased to 14%, Cal Fire officials said on Monday.
The Park Fire is now California's largest wildfire of 2024, and the sixth-largest in the state's recorded history, according to Cal Fire.
Video from the AlertCalifornia.org site showed flames overnight burning past an observation camera and terrifying shots of super-heated air creating a fire tornado.
At least 134 structures have been destroyed.
Ronnie Stout II, 42, of Chico, who was arrested Thursday, made his first appearance in court Monday and was charged with felony arson of an inhabited structure or property.
Butte County authorities said people saw him pushing a burning car into a gully the day the fire started, for reasons that were not clear. The car rolled about 60 feet down an embankment and burned completely, spreading flames that ultimately sparked the Park Fire.
Vanessa Starling, who lives near Cohasset, says they could hear the sound of the fire crackling as she left her home.
"It was pretty crazy, there is one spot that had a little fire tornado going on. We could hear it, just this roaring sound, you can hear the fire roaring as we were leaving," Starling said, worried about her family home. "We have property that's been in our family since 1905."
"It's very stressful, but we decided to go, to beat the traffic," Scott Ackerman, another evacuee said. "Because last time there was a lot of traffic, at the Camp Fire."
Officials say evacuation orders were issued on Friday for more than 4,400 residents in Butte and Tehama counties.
Gov. Gavin Newsom proclaimed a state of emergency in Plumas, Butte, and Tehama Counties over the fires on Friday.
The proclamation would allow easier access for residents impacted by the fire to unemployment benefits and waive fees to replace licenses and records, alongside other benefits.
Butte County, where the fire rages, is about a 35-minute drive from Paradise — a town devastated by the deadly 2018 Camp Fire. The area is unfortunately familiar with wildfires, so much that residents have become accustomed to wildfire season.
Park Fire: Man arrested on suspicion of starting explosive blaze
Authorities have arrested a man on suspicion of starting the Park Fire near Chico that jumped to 45,000 acres overnight.
"There's been a lot of packing up, loading up, trying to get out as much as possible, being relieved (to go) home, but we'll see," one woman said. "This time might be the one. Lots of our neighbors have already lost their place."
Residents say they are grateful to the firefighters on the front lines.
"The fire guys did an amazing job. When you look around and see fire and all the houses saved, except a few where they had an explosion. Amazing. These guys should be commended," Larry Ruby, a Butte County resident said.
Jana Katsuyama is a reporter for KTVU. Email Jana at jana.katsuyama@fox.com. Call her at 510-326-5529. Or follow her on Twitter @JanaKTVU and read her other reports on her bio page.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.