VIDEOS: Butte County has declared an emergency in response to the raging Park Fire near Chico. It's prompted a slew of evacuations that have extended into Tehama County.
The emergency declaration will allow the county to request more resources from the state.
As of early Friday morning, Cal Fire reported that the fire had burned more than 164,000 acres — some 256 square miles. Containment was at first reported to be 3%, but Cal Fire reduced it to 0% on Friday.
Cal Fire said the Park Fire was the result of suspected arson and ignited around 3 p.m. Wednesday in the Upper Bidwell Park area, about four miles northeast of Chico's city center.
Cal Fire noted on Friday that 134 structures have been destroyed, while 4,200 remain threatened.