Park Fire Continues To Challenge Crews In Northern California

Here are the morning’s top stories on Monday, July 29, 2024…

• In Northern California, the massive Park Fire is now the state’s sixth largest fire on record. The fire has burned more than 368,000 acres and is affecting four different counties – Tehama, Butte, Plumas and Shasta. Crews were able to take advantage of better weather conditions on Saturday, as containment stands at 12%. 
• The anxiety continues for people who live in Paradise. The town, which was destroyed by the Camp Fire in 2018, is under an evacuation warning because of the Park Fire.
• Another major wildfire is scorching Kern County. The Borel Fire has burned 50,000 acres. It tore through the historic town of Havilah over the weekend.

Park Fire Now Sixth Largest Wildfire In CA History

The Park Fire has now burned 368,256 acres, making it one of the largest wildfires ever recorded in state history. Crews were able to take advantage of favorable weather conditions on Saturday, so the fire is now 12% contained. But hot spots continue to pop up along the fire line.

Several communities remain evacuated and some residents still don’t know whether they’ll have a home to return to when they’re allowed back. Larry Jansen, a Cohasset resident, lost his home and made it out just an hour before the fire went over the road and closed the way out. “Our place is gone, burnt. Totally gone. And our whole area burned up,” he said, at Chico farmers market, where community members are coming together to support those who have been evacuated. “Friends are taking care of us right now … It’s a clean slate ahead. Nothing to worry about right now.”

Kenneth Gaines evacuated his farm in Payne’s Creek in Tehama County Friday night, and relocated to Dales. He said he saw flames jump the highway less than a mile from his gate. “I just got my wallet and my phone and a couple of other things,” said Gaines. “I didn’t realize it was that close. … I stayed through the Ponderosa Fire, but this is a much bigger fire, it’s moving a lot faster.”

Officials said at a briefing Sunday that they’re working to lower some evacuation orders to warnings, but they’re doing so cautiously, with fire activity still so uncertain.

For Paradise Residents, Park Fire Stirs Up Painful Memories 

For people living in Paradise, the Park Fire has brought up memories of the devastating and deadly Camp Fire. The fire in 2018 remains the deadliest and most destructive wildfire in California history. 

“We still have the warning in place, and we’re saying be ready if you feel uncomfortable, go ahead and evacuate,” Paradise Mayor Ronald Lassonde told KQED on Saturday. “There’s a large percentage of our population that actually drove through the flames. Someone ran through the flames. So, of course, that trauma stays with you.”

The community remains under an evacuation warning, although Lassonde said he’s hopeful that will be lifted soon, with most of the fire activity up to the north.

Kern County Town Of Havilah Destroyed By Explosive Borel Fire

The Borel Fire burning in the Kern County mountains since last Wednesday grew to 50,000 acres by Sunday night after destroying the small gold-mining town of Havilah.

The fire is 0% contained, and has led to the evacuation of 2,300 residents — with evacuation warnings and orders being expanded throughout the weekend.

The fire hit an area of green brush which helped give crews a break from extreme fire behavior that was aided as the fire burned along dry fuels days earlier.

Havilah is a historic mining town that was founded in the 1860’s. The town served as county seat in 1866 when Kern County was formed. It’s also designated as a California historical landmark.