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California: Park Fire now fourth largest in state’s history

The blaze has now impacted more than 420,000 acres of land

Flames leap above fire vehicles driving along a road in Tehama County, California (Noah Berger/AP)
The Park Fire is now the fourth-largest fire in the history of California (Noah Berger/AP) (Noah Berger/AP)
By Mark Robinson

Park Fire is now the fourth largest fire in Californian state history, just two weeks on from being started in a suspected arson attack.

According to latest figures from Cal Fire, the blaze currently sits at an impact area of 425,360 acres covering four counties: Butte, Tehama, Shasta and Plumas.

Over the past two days, the fire has grown in the Mill Creek Canyon area of the state.

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The latest updates show that Park Fire is currently sat at around 34% containment, with no expected full containment yet date confirmed.

More than 6,600 personnel, 30 helicopters and 500 engines have been assigned to the blaze, which has destroyed more than 630 residential and commercial structures so far.

As the wildfire continues, fire tornados have been spotted and the flames have reached Lassen Volcanic National Park, which had been badly impacted by the Dixie Fire just three years ago.

Cal Fire and the Butte County Fire Department have confirmed that the wildfire began as the result of a suspected arson attack on July 24.

In a statement, they confirmed that 42-year-old Ronnie Dean Stout II, of Chico, had been arrested on suspicion of starting the fire.

“As the fire was starting, an unknown male was seen pushing a car that was on fire into a gulley near Alligator Hole in upper Bidwell Park,” a spokesperson said.

“The car went approximately 60 feet down an embankment near Chico Creek, burning completely and spreading the flames that became the Park Fire.

“The male was seen leaving the area by blending in with other citizens who were fleeing the rapidly growing fire.”

He was later identified and arrested by Cal Fire Law Enforcement, assisted by District Attorney investigators.

Evacuation orders are still in place in Tehama county, with warnings remaining in Butte, Plumas and Shasta as repopulation begins in the lower portion of the fire.

Cal Fire has advised residents to “remain diligent of crews and equipment working in the area.”