A wildfire in Northern California has forced thousands of people to evacuate as temperatures soar in the region. The Thompson fire, which began near Oroville, California, has grown to over 5.5 square miles and has resulted in at least 26,000 evacuations. Firefighters are working tirelessly to contain the blaze and protect homes in the area.
The fire has caused significant concern among residents in Oroville, with many watching the orange glow from nearby hillsides. Helicopters have been deployed to drop water on the flames, and firefighters are battling the fire on multiple fronts. Despite the challenging topography, officials are hopeful that the fire’s progress can be halted soon.
In addition to the Thompson fire, another blaze, the Grubbs Fire, has broken out south of Oroville, prompting further evacuations. The state of California is also facing several other wildfires, with the largest being the Basin Fire in the Sierra National Forest. Firefighters are working to contain these fires as hot and dry conditions persist across the state.
Authorities have declared a state of emergency in Oroville and have set up evacuation centers for residents. With the Fourth of July approaching, officials have warned against the use of fireworks, as they pose a significant fire risk. The extreme heat and dry conditions have led to public safety power shutoffs in parts of Northern California to prevent fires from starting due to damaged power lines.
Governor Gavin Newsom has activated the State Operations Center to coordinate the state’s response to the wildfires and excessive heat. Federal funding has been approved to support firefighting efforts, and mutual aid has been dispatched to assist affected communities. In Southern California, Joshua Tree National Park has closed an area with important Joshua tree populations due to extreme fire risk.
As the wildfires continue to burn in California, residents are urged to stay vigilant and take precautions to prevent further fires from starting. The safety of residents and firefighters remains a top priority as they work together to contain the blazes and protect communities from the devastating effects of wildfires.
