Authorities arrested a 42-year-old man accused of starting California’s Park Fire, which burned more than 71,000 acres as of Thursday afternoon. “Butte County District Attorney Mike Ramsey said the man was arrested after an unknown male was seen pushing a car that was on fire into a gully near the Alligator Hole in upper Bidwell Park shortly before 3:00 p.m. yesterday. The car went down an embankment approximately 60 feet and burned completely, spreading flames that caused the Park Fire,” Butte County District Attorney Mike Ramsey stated in a press release. “The male was then seen calmly leaving the area by blending in with the other citizens who were in the area and fleeing the rapidly evolving fire,” it continued. “The man was eventually identified and with the help of the DA’s Office, a warrant was issued by a local judge for him early this morning,” it added. JUST IN: A man has been arrested for allegedly starting the devastating Park Fire in California. The DA won’t release his name. pic.twitter.com/9bGcjI2FxN — Breaking911 (@Breaking911) July 25, 2024 KCRA 3 reports: A wildfire that has forced evacuations in Butte County has rapidly burned tens of thousands of acres. The Park Fire, which started Wednesday off Upper Park Road in Upper Bidwell Park, has forced the Butte County Sheriff’s Office to issue evacuations for residents just outside the city of Chico. The Chico Fire Department said every fire engine the city has at its disposal is being used, and agencies from across Northern California are also on the way. In response to the dangerous conditions, the Federal Emergency Management Agency on Thursday announced it is authorizing federal funding to help combat the fire. Cal Fire said the fire has burned at least 71,489 acres as of 12:10 p.m. Thursday, a drastic increase from 45,550 acres reported at 6:02 a.m. Thursday. Update 11pm PT #PARKFIRE All I can say is "hell on earth". Initial reports on cause – someone set a car on fire up at Alligator Hole in Upper Park. A favorite watering hole that attracts kids during hot days. IF THIS IS TRUE, HEADS SHOULD ROLL. https://t.co/EXKDHfgj0l pic.twitter.com/DeIIcylQcg — Julie4Butte5 (@julie4butte5) July 25, 2024 WATCH: The Park Fire ignited in Upper Bidwell Park in Chico Wednesday and exploded overnight to 45,550 acres by early Thursday. 7:34 a.m. It was 3% contained.Find the latest information on the Park Fire, evacuation orders, and warnings, on our website.https://t.co/hWLrZe4GpI pic.twitter.com/UNRXdWhAjV — KRCR News Channel 7 (@KRCR7) July 25, 2024 UPDATE: Butte County officials have arrested a 42-year-old Chico man for arson on suspicion of starting the #ParkFire. He allegedly sent a burning car (pictured below) down a 60 foot embankment, spreading flames which caused the Park Fire. https://t.co/D6dGSaxvsx pic.twitter.com/Ns9K7ZJJy4 — Drew Tuma (@DrewTumaABC7) July 25, 2024 “A 42-year-old Chico man is accused of starting what is now California’s largest wildfire of the year so far, officials said Thursday,” KCRA 3 noted. WATCH:

On Wednesday night, a group of House Republicans that were assembled by Brandon Williams (R-N.Y.), raised up American flags outside of Union Station in Washington, D.C., hours after furious protesters tore them down and burned them, hoisting up Palestinian flags to show their disapproval of Israel and Netanyahu.

Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has met with lame duck President Joe Biden.