Fire crews battling California’s largest wildfire of the year have managed to contain a third of the blaze, thanks to cooler weather. However, with triple-digit temperatures expected to return, there is concern that the fire could spread further, fire officials reported on Sunday.
The Park Fire, which erupted on July 24 when a man allegedly pushed a burning car into a gully in Chico and fled, has ravaged 627 square miles (1,623 square kilometers). This area is larger than the city of Los Angeles. As of Sunday, the fire was 30% contained.
Chris Vestal, a spokesperson for the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, stated that cooler temperatures and increased humidity have given firefighters “a great opportunity to make some good advances.” Nevertheless, the fire continues to burn through rugged, inaccessible, and steep terrain with dense vegetation in the Sierra Nevada foothills, making firefighting efforts particularly challenging.
The fire’s northern push has brought it closer to the Lassen Volcanic National Park, which remains closed due to the threat. The difficult terrain hinders the use of heavy machinery like bulldozers, necessitating the deployment of hand crews to clear vegetation—a slow and grueling task.
Despite these challenges, the improved weather conditions over the past few days have allowed firefighters to utilize helicopters and other aircraft to combat the blaze. However, with temperatures again rising above 100°F (38°C), fire officials are cautious. Vestal emphasized the importance of remaining vigilant about the upcoming weather conditions over the next week.
The Park Fire has destroyed at least 572 structures and damaged 52 others, with 2,700 residents in Butte and Tehama counties still under evacuation orders.
Meanwhile, in Colorado, firefighters are making headway against three major fires near heavily populated areas north and south of Denver. The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a fire near Littleton as arson. Another fire near Loveland has damaged or destroyed about 50 structures and resulted in one fatality.
Scientists attribute the increasing frequency and destructiveness of extreme wildfires in the US West and globally to the climate crisis, which is intensifying droughts and warming the planet. In Canada, a 24-year-old firefighter from Calgary was tragically killed by a falling tree while battling a fire in Jasper National Park.
The battle against these fires underscores the urgent need for addressing climate change and enhancing wildfire preparedness.