In the midst of extreme fire weather conditions, the Park Fire in northern California has quickly become the state's seventh-largest wildfire on record, burning over 150,000 acres per day since its start on July 24. Allegedly ignited by an arsonist in Butte County, this devastating blaze has now threatened the closure of Lassen Volcanic National Park.

The intensity of the fire has led to the emergence of fire whirls and fire tornadoes, as evident from radar data and remote camera observations. The rapid growth of the Park Fire has forced the evacuation of Lassen Volcanic National Park, with the National Park Service issuing warnings that structures in the area are at risk.

The impact of human-caused climate change has contributed greatly to the severity and duration of heat waves, heightening California's vulnerability to wildfires. While a brief respite from the intense heat is expected to aid firefighting efforts in the coming days, longer-term forecasts indicate that hotter-than-average weather will likely return by early August and persist throughout the month.

Meanwhile, wildfires are also wreaking havoc in other parts of the western US and Canada. Extreme heat and dry conditions have resulted in intense fire behavior from northern California to Oregon, with some communities undergoing hasty evacuations. In response to escalating blazes in British Columbia and Alberta, Canada has even called upon military personnel to assist in firefighting operations.

Adding to California's wildfire woes, the Mendocino Fire Complex, comprising the merging Ranch Fire and River Fire, has exploded in size over the weekend, becoming the state's second-largest wildfire on record. With eight large fires currently burning in the state, the Mendocino Fire Complex alone has reached a staggering size of 273,664 acres, while remaining only 30% contained. San Francisco has also been affected, with smoke from the complex creating an eerie sunrise.

In far northern California, near the Oregon border, the state's largest fire of the year has rapidly grown, covering nearly 52,500 acres by Sunday evening. As the wildfire crisis escalates, firefighters and emergency responders are working tirelessly to combat the blazes and protect communities at risk.

The relentless spread of wildfires and their associated smoke plumes serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need to address climate change and implement effective measures to prevent and mitigate the increasing devastation caused by these infernos.