A rare and destructive fire tornado, also known as a “firenado,” has ravaged northern California’s bushland as the state faces its most significant wildfire of the year. The Park fire, which ignited on Wednesday, quickly expanded to scorch over 239,000 acres northeast of Chico. By Friday night, according to the state’s fire agency, Cal Fire, it was still completely uncontained.
The fire’s origins trace back to a 42-year-old man who was arrested on Thursday. Authorities suspect he caused the blaze by rolling a burning car into a gully near Alligator Hole in Butte County. BBC News captured dramatic footage of the firenado—an intense whirlwind of flames and ash fueled by extreme heat and high winds—twisting through the surrounding bushland.
California Governor Gavin Newsom has declared a state of emergency for Butte and Tehama counties in response to the Park fire. In his statement, Newsom emphasized the state’s commitment to using every available resource to protect lives and properties. “Our fire and emergency response teams are working around the clock to combat these challenging fires,” he said.
The wildfire has led to mandatory evacuations, particularly in Butte County, where the Camp Fire in 2018 claimed over 80 lives. The small town of Cohasset, with a population of about 400, has already been evacuated as the fire continues to spread uncontrollably.
Cal Fire reports that the Park fire has already destroyed 134 structures and threatens an additional 4,200. The blaze, which started on Wednesday at approximately 1,400 acres, has now expanded into California’s Central Valley.
Authorities have charged Ronnie Dean Stout, 42, with setting the fire. They claim he calmly blended in with fleeing citizens as the blaze rapidly grew. Stout is currently in jail without bail as officials determine the exact charges he will face.
A resident at the mobile home listed as Stout’s address, who chose to remain anonymous, suggested that the accusations against him might be unjust. “They’re saying he did it intentionally, but he didn’t. The car caught on fire,” the woman told the San Francisco Chronicle before declining to comment further.
The National Weather Service has issued a red flag warning for the northern Sacramento Valley. They caution that high winds and low humidity could exacerbate the fire, potentially starting new ones and making existing ones even more dangerous.
The LA Times reports that the Park fire is threatening the Ishi Wilderness and the Lassen foothills—areas that have not experienced significant fires in nearly a century. These regions are particularly vulnerable due to the large amounts of fuel they contain.
While California grapples with this massive blaze, the largest wildfire in the United States right now is across the border in Oregon. The Durkee fire, sparked by lightning on July 17, has burned at least 288,000 acres and was 20% contained as of Friday evening. This fire has devastated ranch land and killed hundreds of cattle, posing a threat to several towns.
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Canada is also battling severe wildfires, including one that has destroyed up to half of the historic town of Jasper in Alberta, along with large portions of Jasper National Park. Rainfall on Friday has provided some relief, aiding the hundreds of firefighters working to contain the blaze.
