Massive California wildfire grows to 350,000 acres, containment efforts show progress

By Dilara Hamit

The largest wildfire currently raging in California, known as the Park Fire, has expanded to more than 350,000 acres as of Saturday. However, there is a glimmer of hope as progress in containment efforts and a forecasted cool-down offer some relief.

NBC News has reported that the Park Fire ignited on Wednesday under dramatic circumstances. Authorities allege that a man started the blaze by pushing a flaming vehicle into a gulley filled with dried brush at a park in Chico.

Fueled by hot temperatures, dry brush, and gusty winds, the fire rapidly spread, doubling in size repeatedly within hours.

Similar conditions have afflicted the western US throughout this month, with forest areas in Oregon, Washington, and parts of Canada also succumbing to wildfires.

Cal Fire officials reported that the Park Fire has destroyed 134 structures so far as it advanced northward from Chico, spreading from Butte to Tehama County. Initially, the fire raged uncontrollably with zero containment. However, as of Saturday, firefighters have managed to achieve 10% containment.

The battle against the Park Fire continues, but the efforts of firefighters combined with a predicted drop in temperatures bring hope that the worst may soon be over.