Thousands of California residents have been ordered to evacuate as the Thompson Fire continues to blaze near Cherokee Road and Thompson Flat Road in Oroville, California.
The blaze ignited in Butte County on Tuesday morning, and has since grown to encompass more than 3,000 acres near Lake Oroville, California's second largest reservoir. As of the most recent update issued on early Wednesday morning, the fire was zero percent contained, although firefighting personnel were on scene.
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Evacuations have been ordered for around 13,000 residents living in the area, CNN reported. They were mandated in more than three dozen zones in the area, a full list of which can be viewed here. Evacuation warnings have also been issued, alerting residents in nearby areas to be prepared to flee should the fire grow or shift course. Some communities even further west are being urged to shelter in place.
According to the evacuation map from the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE), the evacuations were in place west of Lake Oroville. Evacuation centers have been established at the Nazarene church in Oroville and at the Butte County Fairgrounds.
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Newsweek reached out to CAL FIRE by email for comment.
Lake Oroville structures have also been evacuated, the California Department of Water Resources (DWR) shared, including the Hyatt Powerplant facility and the Lake Oroville Visitor Center.
"DWR is closely monitoring the Thompson Fire that started just north of Oroville Field Division (OFD) facilities around noon Wednesday. Several State Water Project facilities are under evacuation orders issued by the Butte County Sheriff," the DWR posted on X, formerly Twitter, on Tuesday night.
DWR is closely monitoring the Thompson Fire that started just north of Oroville Field Division (OFD) facilities around noon today. Several State Water Project facilities are under evacuation orders issued by the Butte County Sheriff [1/6]
— CA - DWR (@CA_DWR) July 2, 2024
In a later post, the DWR said the fire had progressed to Oroville Dam's main spillway, although there was no risk to the dam.
More than 500 CAL FIRE personnel are assigned to the fire, including six helicopters. The Thompson Fire is the third largest currently burning in California right now, behind the Basin Fire in Fresno at nearly 14,000 acres and the Fresno June Lightning Complex fire also burning in Fresno at 10,616 acres.
The Thompson Fire comes as Oroville, California, is under an excessive heat warning. As of Wednesday morning, National Weather Service (NWS) meteorologists were warning of "dangerously hot conditions" with high temperatures forecast to range from 105 degrees Fahrenheit to 118 degrees Fahrenheit. Red flag warnings also are in place across northern California.
"The combination of gusty wind and low humidity can cause fire to rapidly grow in size and intensity," the NWS warned. "Outdoor burning is not recommended."
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Anna Skinner is a Newsweek senior reporter based in Indianapolis. Her focus is reporting on the climate, environment and weather ... Read more
