Park Fire Scorches Nearly 430,000 Acres, Becomes Fourth-Largest in California History

Firefighters battle challenging conditions as containment efforts progress slowly; arson and climate change cited as primary causes.

The Park Fire began on July 24 when a man pushed a burning car into a gully near Chico.
As of August 13, the fire has burned over 429,200 acres and is 39% contained.
High temperatures, strong winds, and dry vegetation have exacerbated the fire's spread.
The fire has destroyed 641 buildings and damaged 52 more, primarily in Tehama and Butte counties.
Experts link the increase in wildfire activity to human-caused climate change, predicting further escalation in the coming decades.