The Park Fire has raged in the North State since July 24, 2024, in Upper Bidwell Park near Alligator Hole, in Chico. The Park Fire is the fourth largest fire in California’s history, and the largest active fire burning.
The Park Fire spans four counties Butte, Tehama, Shasta, And Plumas, with 55% containment and over 429,401 acres burned.
According to the CAL-FIRE website, all evacuation orders and warnings have been lifted in all four counties.
Only two roads in Tehama and Shasta Counties are closed and they are:
- Highway 172 between Mineral and Hole in the Ground Campground
- Highway 89 between Highway 36 and Summit Lake
Over 4,149 personnel, 6 helicopters, 219 engines, 80 dozers, 190 water tenders, 100 crews, and 179 other crews are assigned to the Park Fire.
637 structures have been destroyed and 49 structures damaged with zero fatalities reported.
The cause of the fire has been confirmed as arson. A man identified as Ronnie Dean Stout II has been arrested and arraigned in the Butte County Superior Court. Ronnie Dean Stout II has two previous strikes for child molestation and robbery causing great bodily injury. Witnesses claim to have seen Ronnie Dean Stout II push a car on fire down a 60-foot ravine and calmly walk away from the scene.
Parts of Bidwell Park have been reopened, while other parts remain closed due to fire damage and safety concerns.
Open areas of Bidwell Park are:
- Main Entrance Gate at Wildwood Avenue
- North side of Five Mile Recreation Area
- Parking Lots A to Parking Lots E (Horseshoe Lake)
- Chico Observatory
- Upper Park Gun Range
- Upper Park Road to Diversion Dam Gate
- Swimming areas at Day Camp, Alligator Hole, and Bear Hole
- North Rim Trail/ Fenceline Trail Is Open To Red Bud Trail Only
- Middle Trail Is Open To Bear Hole Connector Only
- Upper Trail And Upper Upper Trail Open To Middle Trail Connector Only
- Yahi Trail Is Open To Bear Hole Only
- Trails, except: Legacy Trail, from Annie Bidwell Trail access at Centennial & Chico Canyon Road to Bloody Pin Trail only
- Peregrine Point Disc Golf Course
Areas that remain closed of Bidwell Park are
- Upper Park Road beyond the Diversion Dam gate
- Ten Mile House Road
- On the North side, all portions of trails past the designated trail end points listed above
- On the South Side, all portions of trails east of Bloody Pin trail
Those who enter the closed areas are subject to citations and fines according to the press release from the City of Chico.
Stay tuned with the Roadrunner and local and national news for more updates and news on the Park Fire and other news in the area.
