California’s Biggest Fire of the Year Grows to 6th-Largest in State’s History

An arson-caused fire in Northern California had grown to nearly 600 square miles July 29, becoming one of the fastest-growing fires and the sixth-largest in state history. Fire officials say the Park fire burning mostly in Tehama and Butte counties was 12 percent contained and had consumed 111 homes and buildings and damaged six others by July 29 as almost 5,000 firefighting personnel were on site. No injuries or deaths were reported as fire crews continued to protect several small, rural communities north of Chico and west of Lassen and Plumas national forests. While the burn covered a significant amount of land, mostly in Tehama County, the area is sparsely populated. Small rural communities east of Highway 99 remained in the path of the fire....