U.S. authorities have announced that the wildfire raging in Northern California for three days has become one of the largest recorded wildfires in the state’s history. The California state agency "Cal Fire" reported that the "Park Fire" - the most severe wildfire affecting California this summer - has consumed nearly 142,000 hectares by late Saturday morning, making it the seventh largest fire in the state’s history.
The fire, which has forced over 4,000 people to evacuate their homes, ignited in a rural and mountainous area near the small town of Chico, located approximately 145 kilometers north of Sacramento, the state capital. The agency added that "the severe conditions of this fire continue to pose a challenge for firefighting personnel. Currently, it is only 0% contained," despite the efforts of about 2,500 individuals, more than ten helicopters, and several planes.
The fire is spreading rapidly, comparable to a person walking, in a rural area three hours' drive northeast of San Francisco. California Governor Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency on Friday evening in two counties threatened by the fire, aiming to expedite government actions. The town of Chico is situated about 20 kilometers west of the town of Paradise, which was destroyed by a wildfire in 2018 that claimed 85 lives, marking the deadliest wildfire in California's history. The area is currently on alert as residents prepare for any eventuality.
