Man arrested for pushing burning car down hill, sparking massive wildfire near Chico, California

Arson suspected in massive Park Fire in Butte County

Officials estimated a wildfire raging in California’s Butte County was 45,550 acres in size as of Thursday, July 25, after a night of "dynamic fire activity." A suspected arsonist has been arrested for allegedly triggering the wildfire.

CHICO, Calif. - A suspected arsonist has been arrested for allegedly triggering a wildfire near Chico, California, that later exploded in size, threatening over 1,500 structures and forcing neighborhoods to evacuate.

The Park Fire began in Bidwell Park just before 3 p.m. local time Wednesday. It quickly reached nearly 6,500 acres by Wednesday night, as local officials scrambled to get threatened residents to safety, according to CAL Fire in Butte County. The fire has since grown to over 45,000 acres and remains only 3% contained.

Witnesses spotted a man pushing a burning car down an embankment moments before the fire began, according to Butte County District Attorney Mike Ramsey. The car rolled 60 feet downhill, where it eventually burned up, spreading flames into the nearby brush.

Man arrested for allegedly sparking Park Fire

A man in Chico was arrested for allegedly sparking the massive Park Fire, which is now California's largest fire this year.

From there, the wildfire took off, setting off urgent evacuations. Ramsey says the arsonist tried to blend in with the others who were scrambling to evacuate.

However, investigators were later able to identify their suspect, who was arrested and booked into the Butte County Jail on Thursday morning. Ramsey said he’s currently being held without bail until a Monday court appearance.

Park Fire in NorCal jumps to 45,000 acres

A wildfire near Chico grew to 45,000 acres overnight.

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Meanwhile, evacuated residents have been offered shelter at a church in Chico.

Triple-digit heat making it tough on firefighters

More than 200 firefighters are on the scene and more are on the way from throughout Northern California, according to CAL Fire.

Those firefighters are battling wilting triple-digit summer heat and dry, breezy conditions. The high temperature in Chico reached 106 degrees on Tuesday and Wednesday, and it is set to cross 100 again on Thursday.

However, cooler weather is on the way by the weekend, with highs dropping to around 90.