California is grappling with a severe wildfire crisis as the Thompson Fire has forced 13,000 residents to evacuate in Butte County. The fire, which ignited on Tuesday morning, has rapidly expanded to over 3,500 acres with 0% containment, posing a significant threat to the communities around Oroville, located about 70 miles north of Sacramento.
Governor Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency on Wednesday, emphasizing the imminent danger to life and property. “We are using every available tool to tackle this fire and will continue to work closely with our local and federal partners to support impacted communities,” Newsom stated. The declaration allows for increased aid and coordination by the state, temporarily suspending certain codes to streamline the fire response.
The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire) reported that the fire has been exacerbated by extreme weather conditions, including temperatures in the upper 90s, strong winds with gusts above 25 mph, and dry conditions. These factors have made the fire difficult to control and have led to the issuance of red flag warnings, indicating a high risk of wildfire activity.
The Butte County Sheriff’s Department has issued evacuation orders for several communities, including Oroville, Cherokee, Oroville Northeast, Kelly Ridge, and Hurleton. Critical infrastructure, such as the Hyatt Powerplant, the Oroville Field Office, Lake Oroville Visitor Center, and the Thermalito Pumping-Generating Plant, are also under evacuation orders. However, personnel at the Oroville Dam are not currently at risk, according to the California Department of Water Resources.
Oroville has declared a local emergency as the fire threatens essential infrastructure, including the water supply. The state has secured a Fire Management Assistance Grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency to help suppress the fire and provide vital resources. The California Office of Emergency Services has also deployed fire and law enforcement resources to assist in the efforts.
Cal Fire has dedicated 1,438 personnel to combat the blaze, including 199 fire engines, 46 bulldozers, 49 water tenders, and eight helicopters. Despite these efforts, the fire continues to spread, fueled by the ongoing heat wave that has blanketed Northern California. The heat wave is expected to persist through the holiday weekend, further complicating firefighting efforts.
Photos from the scene depict a grim reality, with flames consuming homes and vehicles, and a massive plume of smoke rising over the area. Firefighting planes, helicopters, and nearly 200 fire engines have been dispatched to the scene in an attempt to control the fire. The city of Oroville has canceled its annual Fourth of July fireworks show as a precaution.
The cause of the fire is still under investigation. Meanwhile, the National Weather Service has warned that smoke from the Thompson Fire is likely to be visible in the Bay Area due to stagnant air and high pressure. Meteorologist Nicole Sarment advised residents to stay indoors, citing the poor air quality and extreme heat as additional reasons to avoid outdoor activities.
The heat wave has also put significant pressure on PG&E’s power grid. Mark Quinlan, the vice president of preparation and execution for PG&E’s Public Safety Power Shutoff program, noted that the grid is “bouncing right up against the all-time system peak.” Currently, 6,800 PG&E customers, mostly in Butte County, are without power. Depending on fire risk and grid load, more customers might face outages in the coming days, especially during peak hours in the afternoon and evening.
PG&E meteorologist Scott Strenfel highlighted the unprecedented nature of the heat wave, with temperatures in some inland areas like Redding and Fresno expected to exceed 110 degrees for more than eight consecutive days. “This has never happened before,” Strenfel said, emphasizing the extraordinary conditions contributing to the fire’s rapid spread.
As the state braces for more challenging months of wildfire season, Governor Newsom assured that California is better prepared than ever to protect at-risk communities with new tools, technology, and resources. However, the immediate focus remains on containing the Thompson Fire and ensuring the safety of the thousands of residents who have been forced to flee their homes.
The situation remains fluid, and authorities are urging residents to stay informed and prepared for potential evacuations and power outages. The combined efforts of local, state, and federal agencies continue as they work tirelessly to bring the fire under control and support the affected communities.
Source: UPI, The Weather Channel, The Associated Press, Los Angeles Times
