As the Dixie fire rages in Greenville, California on August 5, 2021, a home is consumed in flames. (Image credit to JOSH EDELSON/AFP via Getty ImagesAccording to news reports, the Dixie Fire, Northern California's largest wildfire, has been burning through dry fuel like matchsticks.The fire has spread to large areas of Plumas and Butte Counties. It was started around midnight on July 14, and has been burning ever since. The low humidity, high winds, and dried-up leaves have all contributed to the fire's growth, The Washington Post reported.USA Today reported that Dixie destroyed the small town of Greenville in Plumas County on Wednesday. He reduced parts of the downtown area to rubble and leveled more than 100 homes.Similar: Wildfire smoke spreads across the US in striking photographs from spaceCalFire firefighters inspect a backfire that they set to stop the Dixie fire spreading in Plumas County's Prattville neighborhood on July 23, 2021. Image credit: JOSH EDELSON/AFP via Getty ImagesOvernight on Thursday, August 5, the fire grew by approximately 70,000 acres (28.327 hectares). As of Saturday morning, the fire covers 446,723 acres (188,782 hectares), more than twice the area of Rhode Island. According to CalFire, 21% of fires are contained at the moment. CalFire stated that dry fuels were creating resistance to control.CalFire says that the cause of the fire remains under investigation. The Post reported that Pacific Gas & Electric was the local utility company and could have been responsible for the blaze.P&G Electric was responsible for the devastating Camp Fire in Butte County, which burned through 153,336 hectares (roughly 62,000 hectares) of land in 2018. It also destroyed 18,804 structures, and resulted in 85 deaths, CalFire reported. This fire was the deadliest and most destructive wildfire in California's history.The Dixie wildfire has so far destroyed 184 structures and damaged another 11. There have been no fatalities or injuries. CalFire estimates that the fire is threatening 13,871 structures.Original publication on Live Science
