Lightning and Burning Car Pushed Into Gully Are Blamed for Wildfires Scorching the West

Lightning and Burning Car Pushed Into Gully Are Blamed for Wildfires Scorching the West
Flames consume a building as the Park Fire tears through the Cohasset community in Butte County, Calif., on July 25, 2024. Noah Berger/AP Photo
The Associated Press
Updated:
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A burning car pushed into a gully sparked California’s largest wildfire of the year, authorities said Thursday as they announced the arrest of a suspect. Meanwhile other blazes scorched the Pacific Northwest.

Flames from the fire the man is accused of starting exploded into what is now the Park Fire, which has burned more than 195 square miles (505 square km) near the city of Chico. Evacuations were ordered in Butte and Tehama counties, with the blaze only 3 percent contained by Thursday evening.