‘Park Fire’ in California grows into largest wildfire in US

STORY: Thousands of firefighters battled a rapidly growing wildfire in Northern California on Saturday. The blaze had more than doubled in size in 24 hours, making it the largest of dozens of fires currently burning across the country.

The Park Fire had burned more than 350,000 acres of forest by Saturday evening, about 90 miles north of the state capital, Sacramento, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection.

More than 130 buildings have been destroyed. Evacuation orders and warnings have been issued for communities in several provinces.

According to authorities, the outbreak is only 10% under control so far.

However, lower temperatures and more humid air were expected in the region, which could potentially help slow the spread of the fire.

A man was arrested on Thursday on suspicion of causing the Park Fire by pushing a burning car into a bone-dry ditch the day before.

The fire’s size has now surpassed that of Oregon’s Durkee Fire, the nation’s largest active wildfire.

The Durkee Fire has burned nearly 700,000 acres in the eastern part of the state.

The lightning strike on July 17 sparked a fire, with high winds spreading flames across brush, forested areas and ranches.

According to the Forest Service, this is one of 45 large fires currently burning in Oregon.

In the northeast, where the Battle Mountain Complex Fire has burned nearly 400,000 acres, local rancher Don Cape says he’s never seen a fire like this in the 78 years he’s lived in the area.

“I’ve lived here my whole life and I’ve never, never seen it like this. Never… It’s just, it’s this wind and the blowing ambers that just rise up. And wherever you go, you’ve got one nearby. You’ve got one here.”

Meanwhile, the U.S. Forest Service reported that a firefighter has died after a single-engine tanker crashed near the Falls Fire in southeastern Oregon.