(AP) - A prosecutor says a 42-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of starting a wildfire that has become California’s largest this year.
Butte County District Attorney Mike Ramsey says Cal Fire arson investigators made the arrest early Thursday after a man was seen pushing a burning car into a gully Wednesday afternoon.
The flames exploded into what is now the Park Fire, which has scorched more than 70 square miles near the city of Chico.
Authorities later identified the man and a warrant was issued. The DA says his name will be released later Thursday.
THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. AP’s earlier story follows below.
BOISE, Idaho (AP) — Rapidly growing wildfires prompted evacuations in Northern and Southern California on Thursday, while some Oregon residents were cleared to return home after a thunderstorm dropped welcome rain but also potentially dangerous lightning on the largest active blaze in the United States. Another fast-moving wildfire forced thousands to abandon a town in Canada.
Evacuations were ordered in California’s Butte and Tehama counties as crews battled a fire reported near Chico just before 3 p.m. Wednesday. The blaze, dubbed the Park Fire, quickly spread from about 10 square miles (26 square kilometers) to more than 70 square miles (180 square kilometers) and was only 3% contained early Thursday, according to CAL FIRE. The cause was under investigation.
