California Wildfire Update: Over 400,000 Acres Burned and 560 Homes Destroyed

Over 6,000 firefighters in California’s Central Valley continued battling the largest wildfire in the U.S. on Saturday. The fire has become the fourth-largest in California’s history.

Saturday’s thunderstorms brought minimal rain—only a trace to one-tenth of an inch—and winds up to 25 mph, making it harder for firefighters to control the blaze. The Park Fire is burning through wilderness about 100 miles north of Sacramento, with temperatures reaching 100°F (38°C).

“We had thunderstorms that caused down-drafts, which are problematic,” said Christopher Young from the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire). “Lightning is also a concern.”

The Park Fire, which started on July 24 when an alleged arsonist pushed a burning car into a gully near Chico, has burned over 400,000 acres (600 square miles), more than the size of Los Angeles. The 42-year-old suspect is charged with arson and is being held without bail.

Since the fire began, more than 560 homes and structures have been destroyed. The fire is 27% contained.

Over 4,000 people have been evacuated, including Jim Young, a 65-year-old retiree from Red Bluff. He and his dog, Sparky, had been staying in a gravel lot near a trailhead. On Saturday evening, Young learned that his property was safe and he could return home.

The difficult terrain means it takes firefighters two to three hours to reach the fire lines. Some are being transported by helicopter and will stay on the front lines with supplies flown in.

The wildfire season has started intensely, prompting the National Interagency Fire Center to request help from firefighters in Australia and New Zealand, who will arrive starting Aug. 7 to assist in Oregon and Washington.