A visual story about destruction and resilience

On Wednesday, a man pushed a burning car into a ravine near Chico, a college town north of Sacramento, authorities said. In just a few days, the flames have burned more than 370,000 acres, making the Park Fire the largest active blaze in the country. Thousands of people are under evacuation orders, and Cal Fire has confirmed the destruction of at least 111 structures.

Residents of this California region have faced a series of fires in recent years. The devastating Camp Fire in 2018 wiped out the town of Paradise, marking it as the deadliest fire in state history. In 2021, the Dixie Fire scorched nearly a million acres of land. The haunting memories of those earlier fires weighed heavily on Paul Mozzino, who was working at a grocery store in Chico when he heard the nearby fire alarms last week, prompting him to exclaim, “Oh God, not again.”

The images captured over the past few days tell a vivid story of the devastation of the Park Fire in Northern California. Firefighters from the California Conservation Corps and Cal Fire worked tirelessly to contain the backfire operation in Butte County, northeast of Chico. Smoke billowed over the road as the fire jumped Highway 36 in Tehama County. A helicopter was seen dumping water on the flames along Highway 32 in Butte County. The charred remains of homes and cars in the Forest Ranch area serve as stark reminders of the fire’s devastating impact.

Amid the chaos, firefighters set controlled fires along Highway 32 near Chico to contain the rapidly spreading flames. Horses were evacuated as the fire tore through the community of Cohasset in Butte County, leaving a trail of destruction. Firefighters remained vigilant, closely monitoring the controlled fires and hot spots to prevent further escalation of the fire.

As the fire in the park continues to ravage the landscape, the resilience and courage of the firefighters battling the blaze shines through. Their unwavering dedication and tireless efforts in the face of such adversity are truly commendable. The images captured during this challenging time not only show the devastation the fire has caused, but also highlight the resilience and strength of the community coming together in the face of crisis.