Park wildfire in California becomes largest active blaze in US

A wildfire in northern California continues to burn across the region and became the largest active blaze in the U.S. over the weekend.

The Park fire has grown to more than 350,000 acres, making it the largest active wildfire in the U.S. right now and one of the largest wildfires in California history. The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection said on the social media platform X that the Park fire is the seventh largest in state history.

At least four counties are under evacuation orders as firefighters continue to battle the blaze, The Associated Press reported. The department said that lower temperatures and higher humidity have decreased fire activity, and the fire is now 10 percent contained as of Sunday

Authorities said that the cause of the fire was arson. The Butte County district attorney’s office said Ronnie Dean Scout, 42, was arrested last week on suspicion of starting the Park fire.

Authorities said that the man was seen pushing a car that was on fire into a gully in upper Bidwell Park a little before 3 p.m. on Wednesday. The car burned completely and spread flames that ignited the Park fire, according to the office.

He was then “seen calmly leaving the area by blending in with the other citizens who were in the area and fleeing the rapidly evolving fire,” the office said.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) has declared a state of emergency in Butte and Tehama counties due to the Park fire. He also declared a state of emergency in Plumas County due to a separate fire burning there.

“We are using every available tool to protect lives and property as our fire and emergency response teams work around the clock to combat these challenging fires. Stay safe and remain alert for instructions from local authorities as dangerous fire weather conditions continue,” he said in a statement.

The Associated Press contributed.