California is on fire: a giant out-of-control fire in the north of this South American state has become one of the largest ever recorded. In just four days, the so-called “Park Fire” turned about 1,500 square kilometers of forests, bushes, and fields into ash, forcing more than 4200 local residents to flee.

On Friday, July 26, California Governor Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency in the two counties affected by the fire. Evacuation orders have been issued in several other counties, home for about 9,000 people. So far, the fire has destroyed more than 160 buildings, mostly private homes. The damage to nature is inestimable.

According to a preliminary investigation by the Butte County Prosecutor’s Office, the fire had a “malicious origin.” Police arrested a 42-year-old man on charges of “causing a fire by pushing a burning car into a ravine.”

Forecasts don’t bode well: there are fears that despite the efforts by 2500 firefighters and volunteers, the fire will continue to spread.

This colossal fire resurrected in the historical memory of the local community the deadliest fire in California history, in which 85 people died six years ago.

The forest fire is generating a huge column of thick gray smoke visible from space, as reported by astronauts aboard the ISS International Orbital Station.

“The extreme conditions of this fire continue to present a challenge for firefighters. At this point, only 10% is under control,” wrote the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire), according to which the only hope remains the arrival of rains. In several US churches, priests recite prayers during holy masses, hoping for a wet spell.