Northwestern US and Canada Grapple with Mega Wildfires

Wildfires raging across the western United States and Canada prompted air quality alerts for millions. The largest blaze in California, the Park Fire, has burned over 550 square miles. Despite cooler weather aiding firefighting efforts, more fires are expected due to ongoing dry conditions.

Wildfires across the western United States and Canada have put millions under air quality alerts as firefighters battle raging flames, including California's largest wildfire this year.

Dubbed the Park Fire, it has scorched over 550 square miles in Northern California, darkening the sky with smoke and exacerbating poor air quality across the Northwestern US and western Canada. Despite only 12% containment, cooler temperatures and increased humidity could aid firefighting efforts compared to the devastating 2018 Camp Fire.

Evacuation warnings are in place for Paradise and surrounding communities. Cal Fire operations chief Jeremy Pierce reported progress on the southern front, near Paradise, expecting no spread into Chico. Over 3,400 firefighters, aided by helicopters and air tankers, are combating the blaze. First responders have shifted focus from saving lives to confronting the fire directly, with anticipated reinforcements offering much-needed relief to exhausted local crews.

The Park Fire has destroyed at least 66 structures; initial estimates of 134 destroyed buildings were adjusted after ground assessments. A Chico man, accused of starting the fire by pushing a burning car into a gully, faces court on Monday. Meanwhile, the north of the blaze remains challenging, requiring bulldozers and other equipment to manage the rocky terrain.

National Weather Service meteorologist Marc Chenard warned that despite cooler weather, conditions remain ripe for new fires, with warnings issued for Utah, Colorado, Wyoming, and parts of California. Other ongoing fires include those in the Sequoia National Forest and the Gwen Fire in Oregon and Idaho.

(With inputs from agencies.)