West
California Park Fire grows to over 400K acres; hot, dry weather to challenge firefighters
Firefighters fighting the Park Fire in northern California have the more than 400,000-acre blaze 34% contained, though hot and dry conditions are expected to present a challenge in the coming days.
As of Monday morning, the Park Fire had burned 402,042, or 628,000 square miles, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire).
On July 24, 42-year-old Ronnie Dean Stout II of Chico, California, was allegedly seen pushing a vehicle that was on fire into a gully near the Alligator Hole in upper Bidwell Park, sending it down a 60-foot embankment.
Witnesses claim Stout was seen calmly leaving the area by blending in with other citizens who were in the area and fleeing the rapidly evolving fire.
CALIFORNIA MAN ARRESTED AFTER ALLEGEDLY PUSHING TORCHED CAR DOWN EMBANKMENT, SPARKING MASSIVE FIRE
Smoke rises above the roadway as the Park Fire jumps Highway 36 near Paynes Creek in Tehama County, California, on Friday, July 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Noah Berger)
Since the fire started, about 640 structures have been destroyed, and 52 other structures have been damaged between Butte and Tehama counties, according to Cal Fire.
Flames continue to burn from the Park Fire in Northern California, more than a week after it was started. (Cal Fire Butte County Facebook)
Fire officials said Monday morning that a large dry air mass with increasing temperatures was moving into the area, which will challenge crews on the northeast corner of the inferno.
The Park Fire in northern California was fought from the ground as well as from the air, as seen on Aug. 4, 2024. (Cal Fire Butte County Facebook)
FBI OFFERING $10,000 REWARD FOR INFO LEADING TO ARREST OF SUSPECTS IN DEADLY NEW MEXICO WILDFIRES
In a briefing on the fire, crews were encouraged to remain focused, flexible and aggressive as they battled the smoke and flames to close off gaps and strategically move resources around to areas where unfavorable conditions will likely increase the probability of fire activity.
THOUSANDS FLEE CANADA’S JASPER NATIONAL PARK AS WILDFIRE SPREADS TO TOWN
Crews continued to battle the Park Fire in Northern California this week. (Cal Fire Butte County Facebook)
There are currently about 6,600 crew members battling the fire, along with 44 helicopters, 536 fire engines, 196 bulldozers, 154 water tenders and 132 crews, Cal Fire notes on its website.
On Saturday, the Park Fire burned its way into California’s history books as the fourth-largest fire on record.
Reuters contributed to this report.
Read the full article from Here
SAN FRANCISCO (KRON) — A Silver Alert was activated Thursday by the California Highway Patrol after an 85-year-old man was reported missing from South San Francisco.
Zosimo Carmen is described by authorities as 5 feet 5 inches tall and weighing 155 pounds. He has gray hair and brown eyes.
Carmen was last seen around 2 a.m. on Thursday in the area of James Court and Livingston Place in South San Francisco. He was wearing a brown flannel shirt and blue sweatpants.
The Silver Alert was activated for San Mateo and San Francisco counties.
Anyone who sees Carmen is asked to call 911.
Welcome to the NFL, rookies.
The Denver Broncos are set to hold a rookie minicamp from May 8-10, with players expected to report to the team’s facility today (May 7). One of the key players to watch will be running back Jonah Coleman, the club’s fourth-round pick in last month’s NFL draft.
“Ultimately, to be a Bronco is the best thing in the world,” Coleman told the Big Ten Network during a sideline interview at Washington’s spring game last week.
Coleman figures to begin his pro career as a third-string running back behind J.K. Dobbins and RJ Harvey, but he could quickly win playing time as a capable blocker and receiver.
Broncos offseason schedule
- Offseason program started: May 4
- Rookie minicamp: May 8-10
- OTAs: June 2-4; June 9-11
- Mandatory minicamp: June 16-18
With rookies reporting to the facility, we should get jersey number news soon. Denver’s draft class, undrafted free agent signings and several expected tryout players will participate in the rookie minicamp this weekend.
Social: Follow Broncos Wire on Facebook and Twitter/X! Did you know: These 25 celebrities are Broncos fans.
GRAHAM, Wash. – As Washington faces a spring with severely low snowpack, fire districts across the state are ramping up preparations for Wildfire Awareness Month. At Central Pierce Fire and Rescue, some of the most effective team members are focusing on prevention, through meal time.
Station 96, now affectionately nicknamed “The Goat House,” deployed a herd of goats to serve as official “fuel mitigation specialists.” These four-legged lawnmowers are tasked with clearing thick vegetation and maintaining the retention pond area around the station to ensure dry brush doesn’t become fuel for a potential fire.
The ‘G.O.A.T.’ of mitigation
While they may not look like your typical firefighters—and they certainly lack a sense of professional decorum—officials say the herd is setting a regional standard for wildfire prevention.
“They are the GOAT of […] fuel mitigation,” joked Wildfire Coordinator Jake Weigley.
The strategy is as practical as it is adorable. By having the goats graze the land, the department avoids spending crew downtime on weed whackers. This keeps firefighters ready for what they do best: responding to emergencies.
“It does save the taxpayers money, because our crews are able to focus on training and responding to calls,” Weigley said.
The “GoatFundMe’ account
Despite their official titles, these specialists aren’t on the public payroll. Their snacks, veterinary care, and general upkeep are funded internally through a “GoatFundMe” account, which is supported entirely by voluntary contributions from fire department and county employees.
The department hopes these stubborn workers will inspire residents to take notes on their own “defensible space” at home. Much like the goats clearing the field, fire officials recommend homeowners hardscape and remove any fuels that could carry a fire toward buildings.
A heightened season of awareness
The timing is critical. Following a winter with low precipitation, officials are on high alert for the upcoming fire season, though the full severity remains a question mark until the summer heat truly hits.
“We’re in a heightened level of awareness based on our snowpack and precipitation over the winter,” Weigley said. “But until fire season really gets started, we won’t know how severe it will be.”
Residents interested in meeting the herd can monitor the Central Pierce Fire and Rescue Facebook page for upcoming station events and community open houses. They ask to protect the goat’s health, you do not feed them.
MORE NEWS FROM FOX 13 SEATTLE
Humane Society dog kills family pet at Tacoma Marathon, shelter apologizes
‘Arrest me’: Seattle man critiques city’s homelessness response
Fin whale found dead on WA’s Samish Island
Boater appeared passed out before crashing into rocks in Steilacoom
Spokane, WA woman chases child on sidewalk with car: video
Woman faces long road to recovery after Lime bike crash on Seattle’s Aurora Avenue
Covington, WA homicide suspect Kyle Cathcart in custody. Here’s what we know
To get the best local news, weather and sports in Seattle for free, sign up for the daily FOX Seattle Newsletter.
Download the free FOX LOCAL app for mobile in the Apple App Store or Google Play Store for live Seattle news, top stories, weather updates and more local and national news.
The Source: Information in this story comes from original reporting from FOX 13 Seattle reporter Taylor Winkel.
-
Politics3 seconds agoVideo: Tennessee Republicans Aim to Break Up State’s Lone Democratic District
-
Business6 minutes agoWhy Stocks and Bonds Are Responding Differently to the Iran War
-
Science12 minutes agoThe Longevity Secrets Helping Athletes Blow Past the Limits of Age
-
Health18 minutes agoHantavirus Response Shows How Trump Cuts Have Compromised U.S. Preparedness
-
Culture30 minutes agoIn Her New Memoir, Siri Hustvedt Captures Life With, And Without, Paul Auster
-
Lifestyle36 minutes agoA Fashion Revolution at the Met
-
Education42 minutes agoToday, In Short
-
Technology48 minutes agoLive updates from Elon Musk and Sam Altman’s court battle over the future of OpenAI