Chico Park Fire Update: Massive Blaze in Northern California Forces Evacuations, Suspect Arrested

The Park Fire, which erupted in a park near Chico, California, has rapidly grown in size, forcing widespread evacuations across Butte and Tehama counties. Originating on Wednesday afternoon in Upper Bidwell Park, the blaze expanded from 6,400 acres late Wednesday night to over 120,000 acres by Thursday evening. Currently, containment efforts have managed to restrain only 3% of the fire.

The rapid growth of the Park Fire, which now stands as California’s largest active fire, has led to significant distress among local residents. “This fire has fingers that are growing in different directions depending on which way the wind is blowing,” stated Butte County Sheriff Kory Honea.

Cal Fire arson investigators have apprehended Ronnie Dean Stout II, a 42-year-old resident of Chico, on suspicion of deliberately starting the Park Fire. According to Butte County District Attorney Mike Ramsey, Stout was seen pushing a burning car into a gully in Upper Bidwell Park, which subsequently sparked the wildfire. Witnesses reported seeing Stout calmly leaving the scene among other fleeing residents. He was arrested early Thursday morning and is being held without bond until his arraignment on Monday.

Authorities have issued numerous evacuation orders and warnings as the Park Fire continues to spread. Over 3,500 people have been evacuated from the affected areas, including the towns of Eco, Richardson Springs, and Cohasset. Shelters have been established at Neighborhood Church in Chico and Camelot Equestrian Park in Oroville to accommodate both people and animals displaced by the fire.

California Governor Gavin Newsom’s office announced that the state has received a Fire Management Assistance Grant from FEMA to support firefighting efforts. This grant aims to cover up to 75% of eligible firefighting costs.

The rapid expansion of the Park Fire has caused significant devastation, with several homes reported destroyed. The exact number of damaged properties is still being assessed. The fire has also prompted the closure of major roads, including Highway 32 from Bruce Road in Chico to Highway 36.

Residents of Chico and surrounding areas are advised to stay informed through local emergency alerts and adhere to evacuation orders. “We urge everybody to get out as quickly as possible and not try to stick around,” emphasized Rick Carhart, public information officer for Cal Fire and the Butte County Fire Department.

Despite the arrest of the arson suspect, the investigation into the Park Fire’s cause continues. Authorities are encouraging anyone with information or who was in the Alligator Hole area between noon and 3 p.m. on Wednesday to contact Cal Fire investigators.

The Park Fire’s explosive growth is compounded by the region’s hot, dry, and windy conditions. Firefighters are utilizing aircraft, bulldozers, and ground crews to battle the blaze, but the challenging terrain and intense heat have hindered containment efforts.

The community remains on high alert, bracing for potential further evacuations and damage. The Park Fire is a stark reminder of the devastating impact wildfires can have on Northern California, an area still recovering from past fires such as the 2021 Dixie Fire and the 2018 Camp Fire.