California's largest current wildfire has doubled in size over the last 24 hours.
The Park Fire has now burned over 164,000 acres -- more than 250 square miles -- since Wednesday, making it the state's largest blaze in four years.
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Authorities have arrested 42-year-old Ronnie Dean Stout II, a former convict accused of igniting the fire by pushing a burning car into a ravine at Bidwell Park in Chico, about 90 miles north of Sacramento.
The car went down an embankment approximately 60 feet and burned completely, spreading flames that caused the Park Fire, according to the Butte County District Attorney's Office. Stout was later seen "calmly leaving the area" while other parkgoers fled the fire.
Stout is due in court for arraignment on Monday.
The Park Fire took off just before 3 p.m. Wednesday and "exploded from a 400-acre fire to a more than 71,000-acre inferno consuming everything in its path," in just 24 hours, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE).
The blaze is 0% contained as of Friday morning. The fire is burning in grass, brush, mixed timber and dead vegetation.
"The Park Fire continues to burn very actively, especially when aligned with slope and winds, resulting in spotting and quick fire movement," CAL FIRE said. "This area is currently under a Red Flag Warning due to gusty winds and low humidity."
The fire has also forced thousands of people from their homes. Butte County has declared an emergency in response to the fire, triggering a mass evacuation that extends to neighboring Tehama County.
Officials say 134 structures have been destroyed and at least 4,200 others are threatened by the fire. No injuries or deaths have been reported.
More than 1,630 firefighters are currently working on the ground and by air to suppress the fire, according to CAL FIRE. Numerous firefighting air tankers from throughout the state are flying fire suppression missions as conditions allow.
Governor Gavin Newsom on Thursday announced that he has secured a Fire Management Assistance Grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency to ensure the necessary resources are available to suppress the fire.
Fueled by low humidity and gusty winds, California is enduring increased fire activity this year, with more than 350,000 acres burned to date -- which is twice the five-year average, CAL FIRE said.
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