California Wildfire Grows in Hot, Dry Weather

CHICO, Calif. (AP) — The Park Fire, California's largest wildfire of the year, has expanded significantly, burning over 660 square miles since it ignited on July 24 near Chico. The fire, which has now become the fourth-largest in the state's history, is currently only 34% contained. Following a brief period of reduced intensity due to favorable weather, the fire has reignited amid extremely hot and dry conditions, prompting concerns among firefighting officials. During a Thursday morning briefing, Cal Fire reported that while a significant portion of the affected area is in the mop-up stage, spot fires continue to pose challenges. Operations deputy Jed Gaines emphasized the ongoing threat, stating, “It’s not time to celebrate,” as crews focus on containing the fire's northeast corner, which remains a top priority. The fire has resulted in the destruction of 636 structures and damage to 49 others. Authorities have arrested a local man suspected of igniting the fire by pushing a burning vehicle into a gully in a nearby wilderness park. Meanwhile, a new fire, the Crozier Fire, has emerged about 100 miles south in El Dorado County, exhibiting extreme behavior and prompting the diversion of some firefighting aircraft from the Park Fire. As of Thursday morning, the Crozier Fire has burned over 1 square mile and is only 5% contained, adding to the challenges faced by firefighting teams across the region.