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Accessibility statementSkip to main content Democracy Dies in Darkness SubscribeSign in Advertisement Democracy Dies in Darkness Extreme WeatherWeather Climate Capital Weather Gang Environment Climate Lab Hurricanes Extreme WeatherWeather Climate Capital Weather Gang Environment Climate Lab Hurricanes 164,000-ACRE PARK FIRE WAS STARTED BY FLAMING CAR, CALIF. OFFICIALS SAY A man was arrested in connection with California’s largest fire this year after a woman said she saw him push a burning car down a ravine. 3 min 193 Sorry, a summary is not available for this article at this time. Please try again later. California Park Fire burns down homes 1:07 The Park Fire continued to burn through Chico, Calif., on July 25, burning down homes and prompting evacuations. (Video: The Washington Post) By Frances Vinall , Sarah Raza and Diana Leonard Updated July 26, 2024 at 11:14 a.m. EDT|Published July 26, 2024 at 4:44 a.m. EDT Northern California’s massive Park Fire continued to grow overnight, fueled by wind and dry, hot weather. The wildfire, which authorities believe was an act of arson, reached more than 164,286 acres by early Friday and was only 3 percent contained. It is California’s largest this year. Want to know how your actions can help make a difference for our planet? Sign up for the Climate Coach newsletter, in your inbox every Tuesday and Thursday. In a briefing on Thursday afternoon, UCLA climate scientist Daniel Swain said the Park Fire is “really the first fire in the past several years in California where I would call its behavior ‘extraordinary,’ and that’s not a good thing.” He predicted the fire could grow to several hundred thousand acres, spreading north and east. The next populated communities may be a ways away — but even those could be at risk in coming days, he added. Story continues below advertisement “There’s a lot of fuel ahead of this thing,” Swain said. 🌱 Follow Climate & environment Follow Butte County fire chief Garrett Sjolund said at a news conference Thursday that the fire “quickly began to outpace our resources because of the dry fuels, the hot weather, the low humidity, and the wind.” Gusty winds and dry conditions were predicted for the region until at least late Friday, with a National Weather Service Red Flag warning for critical fire weather conditions in effect. Advertisement Skip to end of carousel PHOTOS FROM THE PARK FIRE The Park Fire tears though the Cohasset community in Butte County, Calif., on July 25. (Noah Berger/AP) A man is under arrest for suspected arson in California’s largest fire of the year, which has exploded in size since it started July 24. See more photos here. End of carousel The fire started about 3 p.m. Wednesday and “exploded from a 400-acre fire to a more than 71,000-acre inferno consuming everything in its path” overnight into Thursday, Cal Fire said on social media. By late Thursday it was burning across more than 145,000 acres in Butte and Tehama counties and had produced several fire tornadoes. About 4,400 residents are under evacuation orders, including the communities of Cohasset and Forest Ranch and areas in northeast Chico, authorities said. Two minor injuries were reported, and photos showed multiple homes damaged or destroyed. Butte County District Attorney Michael L. Ramsey said Ronnie Stout, 42, of Chico would be arraigned Monday on charges related to arson that have yet to be determined. Investigators say a witness saw him pushing a flaming car off an embankment in upper Bidwell Park, starting the blaze. Advertisement Story continues below advertisement “She saw him get into the vehicle, do something in the vehicle, get out of the vehicle, and then push the flaming vehicle down the embankment,” Ramsey told reporters. “We are here today because of that.” He said the vehicle was Stout’s mother’s car. Stout was arrested early Thursday on a no-bail warrant, Ramsey said. Butte County has repeatedly been ravaged by deadly and destructive wildfires. The Camp Fire nearly incinerated the town of Paradise in 2018, killing 85 people. On Friday, residents of Paradise were on edge after authorities told them to prepare for the chance they’ll need to evacuate as Park Fire flames spread. In 2021, the Dixie Fire, which was sparked by PG&E power lines, devastated the town of Greenville, Calif., and burned nearly 1 million acres, the second-largest fire in state history. Earlier this month, the Thompson Fire near Oroville destroyed or damaged dozens of structures and burned more than 3,700 acres before fire crews contained it. So far this year, 4,367 fires have erupted in California, burning at least 343,253 acres. These ignitions have come from a mix of causes, including lightning and arson. Scientists say that climate change is a driving force in making wildfires more explosive in California, and around the world. Share 193 Comments Extreme weather HAND CURATED * What to know: A map of Oregon’s Durkee Fire, the largest in the U.S. July 25, 2024 What to know: A map of Oregon’s Durkee Fire, the largest in the U.S. July 25, 2024 * Earth broke all-time heat record two days in a row, scientists say July 24, 2024 Earth broke all-time heat record two days in a row, scientists say July 24, 2024 * Clearing the air on turbulence and climate change: What you need to know June 13, 2024 Clearing the air on turbulence and climate change: What you need to know June 13, 2024 View 3 more stories NewsletterTUESDAYS Climate Coach Climate Coach Michael Coren advises you on how to navigate life on our changing planet. Delivered Tuesdays. Sign up Subscribe to comment and get the full experience. 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