Hey there, wildfire warriors! 🔥 The Western U.S. is heating up, and we're not talking about summer beaches. Record droughts have set the stage for some of the most intense wildfires in recent history.
Hitting the headlines is California's \"Park Fire,\" currently the largest active wildfire in the nation. As of Wednesday afternoon, this beast has devoured over 391,000 acres (that's about 1,582 square km for our metric friends), making it the fifth-largest fire in California's history!
Firefighters are working around the clock, battling aggressive flames that just won't quit. Only 18% of the fire is contained, with smoke spreading far and wide. Cal Fire warns that \"heavy fuels are very receptive and are near record levels of dryness.\" Yikes!
Four counties—Butte, Plumas, Shasta, and Tehama—are feeling the burn. Damage assessments show 361 structures destroyed and 36 others damaged. Over 5,800 heroes are on the front lines, using 521 fire engines and 41 helicopters to tame the inferno.
But wait, there's more! The Park Fire started on July 24 near Chico and has been traced back to arson. A 42-year-old man, Ronnie Dean Stout II, has been arrested and charged with reckless arson. His court proceedings are underway.
Meanwhile, the Borel Fire in Kern County has scorched over 58,000 acres (237 square km) and is only 34% contained. This one kicked off after a fatal car accident on July 24. Cal Fire reports \"severe\" fire behavior due to \"long-term red-flag-warning weather conditions.\" Not good!
And as if that wasn't enough, the new Pedro Fire near New Don Pedro Reservoir is growing fast. Since starting on Tuesday, it has spread to 3,647 acres (15 square km) across Mariposa and Tuolumne counties, with just 7% containment. Evacuations are in place as the fire threatens homes and power lines.
Stay safe out there, folks! Keep an eye on local updates, and let's send some positive vibes to all those affected and the brave firefighters on the ground. 💪🔥
Reference(s):
Wildfires continue ravaging western U.S. amid record drought
cgtn.com
