The Park fire near Chico, Calif., has rapidly grown to cover an area more than 12 times the size of San Francisco, making it the sixth-largest blaze in California history. The fire, likely sparked by extreme heat, has destroyed 165 structures and threatens thousands more, with thousands of people under evacuation orders. Climate change has exacerbated the situation, with record-breaking heat and dryness creating ideal conditions for the fire. The fire's rapid spread is also attributed to decades of fire suppression practices, unlike the frequent burns used by Indigenous tribes in California. The fire's impact is compounded by higher nighttime temperatures and erratic atmospheric conditions. With the potential to become the state's biggest fire, the Park fire highlights the urgent need for proactive forest management and climate action in California.