California’s Largest Wildfire of 2024
California’s Park Fire isn’t just the largest wildfire seen in 2024 — it’s also the fourth-largest wildfire on California’s record.
Source: Contains modified Copernicus Sentinel data 2024/Wikimedia Commons
This massive fire has been burning out of control for weeks now. So far, it has spread over at least 626 square miles. By comparison, Los Angeles is about 503 square miles.
Firefighters Work to Contain Park Fire
About 6,500 firefighters are currently battling Park Fire and trying to contain it as best they can.
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Recent days have been positive for firefighters, as the region has seen milder weather that allowed these firefighters to build accurate containment lines for the blaze. Now, the Park Fire is at 27% containment.
The Threat of Thunderstorms
However, all of this positivity could change, as this upcoming week there is a threat of massive thunderstorms that could cause the fire to once again rage out of control — or start new fires elsewhere in the state.
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These thunderstorms could release strong winds that blow in various directions, as well as lightning that could start fires.
Progress Could Be Eroded
Because of these possible thunderstorms and fierce winds, fire officials have admitted that the good progress they have made in the past few days could be quickly eroded.
Source: Frank Schulenburg/Wikimedia Commons
These thunderstorms can also quickly turn incredibly dangerous, particularly because of how the wind could change the fire’s direction.
Staying Positive
Even while warning about these thunderstorms, CalFire official Mark Brunton has stated that they’re staying positive thanks to the good days they’ve recently had.
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“We’re not completely out of the woods yet, but we’re looking very, very good,” Brunton said. “This is moving at a very fast pace.”
Keeping Firefighters Safe
Jonathan Pangburn, a CalFire fire behavior analyst, recently explained that these thunderstorms can put firefighters in grave danger, even if there isn’t lightning.
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Pangburn said, “Even if there’s not lightning per se, it is very much a safety-watch-out environment for our firefighters out there.”
Preparing for the Worst
Though firefighters have seen great progress in the past few days, they’re also preparing for very difficult days ahead.
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The next week will see thunderstorms — with possible thunder strikes and fierce winds — paired alongside hot and dry weather conditions.
How the Park Fire Started
Officials have suggested that the Park Fire may have started thanks to arson in a Sierra Nevada park east of Chico in Sacramento Valley.
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This fire started at low elevations, allowing it to burn quickly through oaks and thick grass. Now, it has climbed higher.
Other Difficulties
Though firefighters have had a good few days, they’ve still had major difficulties when trying to combat this fire.
Source: Frank Schulenburg/Wikimedia Commons
Most notably, the smoke from the fire has prevented them from using helicopters, as well as other aircraft, to fight this blaze.
U.S.’s Fire Season
California isn’t alone in dealing with massive wildfires threatening their firefighters and populations. The Park Fire in the Golden State is among the other 90 huge fires currently burning up parts of the western United States.
Source: MODIS Land Rapid Response Team, NASA GSFC/Wikimedia Commons
Many people have evacuated these areas as fires rage out of control.
The Ongoing Threat of Wildfires
Climate experts have warned that many people in the western United States may have to get used to living with the threat of dangerous wildfires, thanks to ongoing climate change.
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Wildfires are becoming more extreme and destructive because of climate change, as the planet is warmer and droughts are much more severe than they’ve been in the past.