A devastating wildfire has engulfed Northern California. An area of ​​20 square kilometers is burning every hour. The fire has already consumed an area of three hundred and fifty thousand acres as of Saturday morning local time. It is now the seventh largest wildfires in the state's recorded history.

According to the state's fire agency, Cal Fire, nearly two thousand and five hundred firefighters are battling to bring the fire under control. However, the fire is yet to be contained. This wildfire is now the largest in California this year, as it already claimed more than one and a half times the land area of New York City's five administrative area.

Billie See, commander of California's fire service, reported that the fire is advancing at a rate of four to five thousand hectares per hour. It is showing no signs of slowing down. He raised concerns that the fire might continue to spread at this pace.  

Compared to Friday, the firefighting force was tripled on Saturday. However due to high winds, containment efforts are severely hindered. At least 16 helicopters are trying to put out the fire. Multiple air tankers are deployed to drop water on the flames.

Cal Fire attributes the rapid spread of wildfires to steep terrain and windy conditions. The combination of mountain slopes and favorable wind has led to this extreme spread of flames. However cooler weather and higher humidity was expected in the region.

Governor Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency in Butte and Tehama counties on Friday due to the fire.

Evacuations are underway in Butte. At least 400 residents are already evacuated from Cohasset. So far, 134 structures have been destroyed. An additional four thousand and two hundred structures are at risk.

Weather forecasts suggest that more moisture-laden air could move into the area, potentially lowering temperatures. This could aid firefighters’ effort to contain the blaze.

A White House official stated that President Joe Biden has been briefed on the wildfire. He has directed his administration to do everything possible to contain the fire and keep the situation under control.

Local authorities point to an arson incident in the park on Wednesday that might have started the fire. They stated that a person ignited the blaze by pushing a burning vehicle into a narrow channel in Chico. The burning car has escalated into wildfires, which is now a major catastrophe.

Many wildfires are currently raging in various parts of the United States. Among these, 'Park Fire' has turned into the biggest. The country's National Interagency Fire Center has said that more than two million acres have already burned in these fires. Several wildfires are active in various parts of the state of Oregon. Among these, 'Durkee Fire' is the biggest. According to the authority, it has already burned more than two hundred and eighty-eight thousand acres in the eastern part of the state.