Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility
Wildfire Explodes Near Chico, Prompting Widespread Evacuations
News
By News
Published 4 months ago on
July 25, 2024

An ALERTCalifornia camera captured this image before becoming engulfed in flames by the Park Fire east of Chico in Upper Bidwell Park, Wednesday, July 24, 2024. (PG&E)

Share

Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

Noon, Thursday, July 25, Update:

A 42-year-old Chico man was arrested Thursday morning by CalFire arson investigators on suspicion of starting the Park Fire, the Butte County District Attorney’s Office said in a news release.

Arson Arrest Made in Park Fire East of Chico
A man whom authorities believe started the Park Fire east of Chico, Wednesday, July 24, 2024, is suspected of pushing this burning car down an embankment into a gully near Alligator Hole in upper Bidwell Park shortly before 3 p.m. (Butte County DA’s Office)

The man’s identity will be released later Thursday, authorities said.

Butte County District Attorney Mike Ramsey said the man was arrested after he was seen pushing a burning car into a gully near the Alligator Hole in upper Bidwell Park shortly before 3 p.m. on Wednesday.

The car went down an embankment about 60 feet and burned completely, spreading the flames that caused the fire east of Chico. The man blended in with others fleeing the rapidly spreading blaze, Ramsey said.

CalFire arson investigators responded immediately, secured the scene, and began working to identify the suspect.

The man was eventually identified and an arrest warrant was issued Thursday morning. He was booked into the Butte County Jail, where he is being held without bail.

Original Story

A wildfire that broke out Wednesday afternoon east of Chico prompted widespread evacuation orders as it quickly spread to more than 10 square miles.

The blaze broke out in Bidwell Park and is being called the Park Fire. With triple-digit temperatures and strong winds expected Thursday, firefighters face challenging containment efforts.

CalFire said Thursday morning that the fire was 3% contained.

“Fire personnel are currently focusing on evacuations and structure defense while concurrently building direct containment lines utilizing bulldozers, fire crews, and fire engines,” Cal Fire said. “More resources have been ordered and are inbound from various areas throughout Northern California.”

As of Thursday morning, 216 personnel were assigned to the fire. They were supported by five helicopters, 24 engines, eight bulldozers, six water tenders, and six crews.

“Numerous firefighting air tankers from throughout the state are flying fire suppression missions as conditions allow,” the incident report stated.

The cause of the wildfire is being investigated, CalFire said.

Read more at CBS News.

A helicopter douses the Park Fire east of Chico, Wednesday, July 24, 2024 (PG&E)

RELATED TOPICS:

DON'T MISS

Republicans Win 218 US House Seats, Giving Donald Trump and the Party Control of Government

DON'T MISS

Fresno State Alum Is New Dean of Health and Human Services College

DON'T MISS

Who Is Rep. Matt Gaetz, the Florida Congressman Donald Trump Picked to Serve as AG?

DON'T MISS

The Key Races to Watch: Nov. 13 Update

DON'T MISS

Feds Agree to Raise San Luis Reservoir: More Water for Farmers, Communities, Wetlands

DON'T MISS

Wired Wednesday: What Impact Does Deportation Have on the Central Valley?

DON'T MISS

How Will Election Winners Bredefeld and Chavez Fit in as Supervisors?

DON'T MISS

California Senate Leader Calls Union ‘Morally Bankrupt’ for Opposing a Vulnerable Democrat

DON'T MISS

R&B Concerts, Comedy, & Worship Take Center Stage This Weekend

DON'T MISS

Speaker Mike Johnson Wins GOP Nomination to Remain in Job, Faces Full House Vote in New Year

UP NEXT

Fresno State Alum Is New Dean of Health and Human Services College

UP NEXT

Who Is Rep. Matt Gaetz, the Florida Congressman Donald Trump Picked to Serve as AG?

UP NEXT

The Key Races to Watch: Nov. 13 Update

UP NEXT

Feds Agree to Raise San Luis Reservoir: More Water for Farmers, Communities, Wetlands

UP NEXT

Wired Wednesday: What Impact Does Deportation Have on the Central Valley?

UP NEXT

California Senate Leader Calls Union ‘Morally Bankrupt’ for Opposing a Vulnerable Democrat

UP NEXT

R&B Concerts, Comedy, & Worship Take Center Stage This Weekend

UP NEXT

Speaker Mike Johnson Wins GOP Nomination to Remain in Job, Faces Full House Vote in New Year

UP NEXT

ICE Immediately Moves to Bolster Surveillance of Illegal Immigrants After Trump Win

UP NEXT

You Can Win a Lexus in This Fresno Telethon Drawing. Get Tickets Now.

The Key Races to Watch: Nov. 13 Update

6 hours ago

Feds Agree to Raise San Luis Reservoir: More Water for Farmers, Communities, Wetlands

6 hours ago

Wired Wednesday: What Impact Does Deportation Have on the Central Valley?

6 hours ago

How Will Election Winners Bredefeld and Chavez Fit in as Supervisors?

7 hours ago

California Senate Leader Calls Union ‘Morally Bankrupt’ for Opposing a Vulnerable Democrat

7 hours ago

R&B Concerts, Comedy, & Worship Take Center Stage This Weekend

8 hours ago

Speaker Mike Johnson Wins GOP Nomination to Remain in Job, Faces Full House Vote in New Year

8 hours ago

ICE Immediately Moves to Bolster Surveillance of Illegal Immigrants After Trump Win

8 hours ago

You Can Win a Lexus in This Fresno Telethon Drawing. Get Tickets Now.

9 hours ago

Trump Says He Will Nominate Rep. Matt Gaetz of Florida to Be Attorney General

9 hours ago

Republicans Win 218 US House Seats, Giving Donald Trump and the Party Control of Government

WASHINGTON — Republicans have won enough seats to control the U.S. House, completing the party’s sweep into power and securing their hold on...

2 hours ago

2 hours ago

Republicans Win 218 US House Seats, Giving Donald Trump and the Party Control of Government

6 hours ago

Fresno State Alum Is New Dean of Health and Human Services College

Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., speaks at the Republican Party of Florida Freedom Summit, Nov. 4, 2023, in Kissimmee, Fla. (AP File)
6 hours ago

Who Is Rep. Matt Gaetz, the Florida Congressman Donald Trump Picked to Serve as AG?

6 hours ago

The Key Races to Watch: Nov. 13 Update

6 hours ago

Feds Agree to Raise San Luis Reservoir: More Water for Farmers, Communities, Wetlands

Wired Wednesday Cover, 11/13/24, KMPH Screengrab
6 hours ago

Wired Wednesday: What Impact Does Deportation Have on the Central Valley?

7 hours ago

How Will Election Winners Bredefeld and Chavez Fit in as Supervisors?

7 hours ago

California Senate Leader Calls Union ‘Morally Bankrupt’ for Opposing a Vulnerable Democrat

Search

Send this to a friend