“As of July 30, 2024, wildfires have scorched a staggering 751,327 acres across our state,” Cal Fire posted on Wednesday. “This year’s wildfire activity is 2,816% higher than last year, 29 times the amount of acreage burned.”

The Park Fire’s destruction in Northern California to homes and land continues and the fire has become the fifth largest in the state’s history since 1932. Cal Fire says so far over 390,000 acres have burned in the Park Fire across four counties.  92,000 acres include Forest Service land that is impacting a “variety of vegetation and ecosystems.”

The fire is currently only 22% contained and was allegedly intentionally set by Ronnie Dean Stout II when he pushed a burning car down an embankment, igniting the initial blaze. Stout was arrested Monday and charged with reckless arson, among other charges. Stout has denied the fire was intentionally set.

Weekend forecasts include possible thunderstorms for California and lightning strikes may cause additional fires in the region.

The #ParkFire has now escalated to become the fifth-largest wildfire in California’s history, severely impacting Butte, Tehama, Shasta, and Plumas counties. This development underscores the critical importance of being #ReadyforWildfire. One of the most effective ways to ensure… pic.twitter.com/Esh3drISfg

— CAL FIRE (@CAL_FIRE) July 30, 2024

Image: AP