California’s largest wildfire is leaving a path of destruction. It’s destroyed 66 structures, damaged five and is still threatening 4,200. Evacuation orders and warnings remain for the counties of Butte, Plumas, Shasta and Tehama but some were downgraded yesterday. The Park Fire now tops 360-thousand acres going into day five. That’s about the size of Los Angeles, making it the state’s seventh biggest ever. Governor Newsom declared a state of emergency in Butte and Tehama counties and says he secured federal assistance for both. On Saturday, he also surveyed ongoing firefighting efforts to protect communities.
The man accused of starting one of California’s worst wildfires is due in court today. Ronnie Stout was arrested Thursday and remains behind bars without bail. The Butte County district attorney says he pushed a burning car down a ravine in Chico the day before and those flames spread quickly, exploding into the Park Fire. The suspect is a registered sex offender. His criminal record includes a 20 year prison sentence in 2002 and a DUI arrest in 2020. That means he could get life if convicted under the “three strikes” law.
An urgent call is going out to all Californians to give the gift of life. The state is dealing with an emergency shortage of type-O blood. Vitalant says its supply is the lowest in 18 months. Summer is considered trauma season due to outdoor-related injuries. If it doesn’t get better fast, doctors could be forced to choose which patients to save first. Those willing to roll up their sleeves can stop by a Vitalant donation centers.
Crews are in the final stages of fighting two wildfires in the North Bay. The Ridge Fire, which has burned 2,756 acres of land in Lake and Colusa Counties is 95% contained. And, the Acorn Fire, which has burned 151 acres of land north of Clear Lake, is also 95% contained. The Ridge Fire started on July 20th, while the Acorn Fire started last Thursday. Crews are mopping up the fire areas and putting out hot spots. Neither fire caused property damage or injuries.
In Mendocino County, crews are still working on a pair of wildfires. The Grange Fire that started Thursday afternoon is 95% contained and has burned 90 acres. CalFire said in their last update that all evacuation orders and warnings have been lifted. 5 structures were damaged in the fire, and 1 was completely destroyed. No one has been injured. The Riley Fire burning along Riley Road near Camp Noyo has burned about 18 acres so far and is 10% contained. The fire started just before 11 Saturday morning. No injuries or structure damage has been reported. The cause of both fires is being investigated.
Farmworkers in Healdsburg continue to demand fair wages, hazard pay and better benefits. On Sunday, hundreds of farmworkers and their supporters gathered at Healdsburg Plaza, then marched through the city. About 500 people took part in the protest, which was organized by Santa Rosa-based labor rights coalition North Bay Jobs with Justice. Farmworkers are asking to be paid at least $25 perhour or $250 per ton of grapes picked. They also want hazard pay for working in dangerous conditions like extreme heat or wildfire smoke, and compensation for wages lost during disasters like fires or flooding.
A non-profit organization is handing out debit cards with 250 dollars in relief funds for families forced to evacuate their homes due to wildfires. Rick Martinez is the Executive Director of The California Fire Foundation and says thanks to support year-round from the community, there is enough money to respond to the need. He says the thousands of people who are being evacuated from the Park Fire northeast of Chico, California, are in dire need of assistance. Martinez adds that wildfires will continue to displace people, and donations are always welcome online at CAFireFoundation.org
Homeless advocates across the state are reacting to Governor Gavin Newsom’s executive order to have local municipalities clear out homeless encampments. There are almost two hundred thousand unhoused people and thousands more on the edge of homelessness. The Sacramento Regional Coalition To End Homelessness says the executive order is out of touch with the homeless community and one that poses no solution. Newsom’s order comes after a Supreme Court decision that gave state officials authority to remove homeless encampments and ticket people who camp in public.
