Massive Wildfire in Northern California Becomes Largest in the U.S.

Thousands of firefighters are currently battling a rapidly expanding wildfire in northern California, which has more than doubled in size within a single day.

As of Saturday evening, the Park Fire had consumed over 350,000 acres (141,640 hectares) approximately 90 miles (144 km) north of Sacramento, the state capital, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, also known as Cal Fire.

Authorities noted that cooler temperatures and increased humidity expected in the region might aid in slowing the wildfire's progression. By Saturday evening, the fire was only 10% contained and had destroyed 134 structures.

Evacuation orders and warnings have been issued for various communities across multiple counties. This includes a warning for Paradise, a town tragically impacted by the 2018 Camp Fire, the most lethal in California's history.

President Joe Biden has been briefed on the situation and has instructed his team to provide all necessary support for the firefighting efforts, according to a White House official.

A man was arrested on Thursday, suspected of starting the Park Fire by pushing a burning car into a ravine on Wednesday afternoon.

The Park Fire is the largest of several active wildfires across the United States, which have collectively burned more than 2 million acres, as reported by the National Interagency Fire Center.

In Oregon, multiple fires are also raging, including the Durkee Fire, which has burned over 288,000 acres in the state's eastern region, according to local authorities.

Tragically, a firefighter lost his life when a single-engine tanker crashed near the Falls Fire in southeastern Oregon, as stated by the U.S. Forest Service on Friday.

(Reported by Joseph Ax and Andrea Shalal; Edited by Sandra Maler and Michael Perry)