Park Fire explodes in Northern California. Wildfire 45,000 acres amid evacuations near Chico

A Northern California blaze exploded Thursday to more than 45,000 acres — the largest wildfire in California this year — spanning two counties, as residents were ordered to evacuate areas north of Chico. Firefighters have contained just 3% of a 45,550-acre blaze dubbed the Park Fire burning across Butte and Tehama counties after sparks ignited Wednesday near Upper Bidwell Park in Chico. More than 216 personnel are battling the flames that consumed structures, according to images on UC San Diego’s AlertCalifornia cameras and Cal Fire. The Butte County Sheriff’s Office...