Massive California wildfire becomes nation's largest blaze

With 350,000 acres burned and 134 structures destroyed, firefighters struggle to contain rapidly expanding Park Fire

CALIFORNIA, US:

Thousands of firefighters were battling a rapidly expanding wildfire in northern California on Saturday, as the blaze more than doubled in size within 24 hours.

The Park Fire had burned over 350,000 acres (141,640 hectares) approximately 90 miles (144 km) north of Sacramento as of Saturday afternoon, according to Cal Fire.

Cooler temperatures and more humid air were forecasted for the region, potentially aiding efforts to slow the fire's spread, which was still 0% contained. The fire had destroyed 134 structures, authorities reported.

Evacuation orders and warnings were issued for multiple communities across several counties, including a warning for Paradise, the town ravaged by the 2018 Camp Fire, the deadliest in California's history.

A man was arrested on Thursday, suspected of starting the Park Fire by pushing a flaming car into a gully on Wednesday afternoon.

The Park Fire was the largest of dozens of wildfires across the country, which have collectively burned more than 2 million acres, according to the National Interagency Fire Center.

In Oregon, several fires were also burning, including the Durkee Fire, which had scorched more than 288,000 acres in the eastern part of the state. Tragically, a firefighter died after a single-engine tanker crashed near the Falls Fire in southeastern Oregon, the US Forest Service reported on Friday.