Wildfire — Northern Sacramento Valley, California

2024-07-24 to 2024-07-31 · Northern Sacramento Valley, California

Event narrative

The Park Fire started around 2 PM on July 24, just east of Chico off Upper Park Road in Upper Bidwell Park. Very hot temperatures, combined with critical fire weather conditions allowed for rapid growth of the fire shortly after ignition prompting multiple evacuations warnings and orders. Within the first 24-30 hours, the fire was mapped at approximately 125,000 acres. Red Flag conditions were not being met at the time of ignition, however temperatures reached around 99 to 106 degrees, with relative humidity in the 14 to 25 percent range, and wind gusts of 10 to 25 mph. From July 24rd through the 31st, the heat continued with temperatures peaking around 94 to 106 degrees, and low relative humidity continued, in the 5 to 25 percent range, however winds returned to more of the typical diurnal regime. By July 31st, approximately 391,200 acres had burned with 434 structures destroyed and 39 structures damaged and 18% containment. Tehama County had 338,201 acres burned with 127 structures destroyed and 4 structures damaged. Butte County burned 52,999 acres with 310 destroyed and 38 damaged. The fire was not contained in the month of July.

Wider weather episode

The Park Fire started around the afternoon of July 24, just east of Chico off Upper Park Road in Upper Bidwell Park. Very hot temperatures, combined with critical fire weather conditions allowed for rapid growth of the fire shortly after ignition prompting multiple evacuations warnings and orders. The fire continued to burn into August.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1192401. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.