Northern California Fire Becomes State’s Biggest in a Day, Evacuations Ordered

A wildfire that started Wednesday near Chico, California grew quickly to 45,549 acres overnight to become the state’s largest active blaze.

Evacuation orders and warnings were issued, but the number of residents affected or properties damaged or destroyed has yet to be determined.

As of Wednesday afternoon, the fire was threatening more than 1,100 homes in and around the towns of Eco, Richardson Springs, and Cohasset, with a combined population of around 10,000, according to the The Federal Emergency Management Agency

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The Park Fire in Butte County reportedly started at 2:52 p.m. on Wednesday off Upper Park Road in Upper Bidwell Park, east of Chico. It is only 3% contained.

“The fire is well established,” a CalFire update states. “Fire personnel are currently focusing on evacuations and structure defense while concurrently building direct containment lines utilizing bulldozers, fire crews and fire engines. More resources have been ordered and are inbound from various areas throughout Northern California.”

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So far 216 firefighters are assigned to the blaze, as well a eight dozers and five helicopters. FEMA’s Region 9 Administrator authorized the use of federal funds to assist the state of California in combating the fire.

The cause is under investigation.

The Lake Fire in Santa Barbara County was the state’s biggest until Wednesday. It is 38,664 acres and is 90% contained. The 2024 SQF Lightning Complex fire in Tulare is 31,309 acres and is 10% contained. The Shelly Fire in Siskiyou County is 15,492 acres and is 66% contained.

This month has been active for wildfires, and the official start to the state’s wildfire season is still months away. A CalFire official said at the begging of July said this season so far looks to be another challenging one for the state.

According to CalFire, 4,303 wildfires have burned 286,925 acres so far this year.