- Nearly 30,000 evacuated from California wildfires
- Wildfires are spreading during a severe heatwave
- Temperatures soaring to 118°F (47°C) in some regions and expect to persist until early next week
- No deaths have been reported just yet, but four injured and structures damaged or destroyed
- The National Weather Service has issued excessive heat and red flag warnings across the state
Nearly 30,000 evacuated from California wildfires
Tens of thousands of residents in Northern California have been ordered to evacuate as wildfires spread during a severe heatwave. The Thompson Fire, which ignited two days ago, has prompted evacuation orders for about 28,000 people, according to CalFire.
With temperatures soaring to 118°F (47°C) in some regions, dangerously hot weather is expected to persist until early next week. So far, no fatalities have been reported, but 74 structures have been damaged or destroyed this fire season.
In response to the wildfire threat, the city of Oroville cancelled its Independence Day fireworks to prevent potential new fires. Butte County Sheriff Kory Honea urged caution, emphasising the high fire risk and the recent spate of fires in the area.
“This is a bad fire season”
Butte County Sheriff Kory Honea
“This is a bad fire season,” Honea remarked, noting that the area had already experienced four fires in recent weeks.
As of Thursday evening, the Thompson Fire was 7% contained, with nearly 2,000 firefighters working to control the blaze. Four people have been injured, though the severity of their injuries is unknown.
California’s fire season, which typically lasts until October, has been exacerbated by climate change. The amount of burned areas in Northern and Central California has increased fivefold from 1996 to 2021 compared to the previous 24 years.
The National Weather Service has issued excessive heat and red flag warnings across the state, highlighting the extreme risk of heat-related illnesses. Since late June, around two dozen fires have burned more than 10 acres each, with the largest in Fresno County covering nearly 14,000 acres.
In response to the escalating crisis, Governor Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency in Butte County. CalFire spokesperson Robert Foxworthy noted that while the fire’s growth has slowed due to lighter winds, the intense heat remains a significant challenge for firefighters.
Many residents, like Brittanie Hardie, a recent California transplant, have been displaced and are uncertain when they can return home. Oroville City Council member Shawn Webber shared a video showing the fire’s impact and thanked firefighters for their efforts.