A wildfire in Northern California has become the largest fire of the season, destroying buildings and forcing thousands to evacuate. Authorities believe the fire, called the Park Fire, was started by a man who pushed a burning car into a gully.
The suspect, Ronnie Dean Stout II, 48, was arrested and is being held without bail. Stout was seen pushing the car into a gully in Bidwell Park near Chico. The car burned completely, spreading flames and causing the Park Fire.
Stout has a history of serious crimes, including lewd acts with a child and robbery, which could lead to severe charges under California’s “Three Strikes” law.
The Park Fire began around 3 p.m. Wednesday and has since burned over 124,000 acres. It has destroyed many structures and led to evacuation orders for rural areas, including the town of Cohasset. Over 1,100 firefighters are working to control the blaze, which is only 3% contained.
Meanwhile, the Durkee Fire in Oregon, the largest fire in the nation, has burned nearly 270,000 acres and is 0% contained. President Biden and Oregon Governor Kotek are working to provide more resources for fighting this fire. The Durkee Fire, which started from a lightning strike, is so intense it has created its own weather system.
In summary, this wildfire season has seen a dramatic increase in fire activity, with fires burning significantly more land than last year. Firefighters are facing extreme conditions, making their job even more challenging.