Massive Wildfire Threatens Oroville in Butte County, California

A massive wildfire is currently raging near Oroville, a city in Butte County, California. Dubbed the Thompson Fire, the blaze has scorched over 3,002 acres with no containment reported so far. The situation has prompted evacuation orders affecting approximately 28,000 residents as of Wednesday.

The fire, which initiated in the areas around Cherokee Road and Thompson Flat Cemetery, has led to mandatory evacuation orders for several zones in and around Oroville, stretching from downtown east to Kelly Ridge. Evacuation shelters have been set up at Oroville Church of the Nazarene and Gridley Fairgrounds to accommodate those displaced.

Media outlets like CBS Sacramento and Getty Images have captured distressing visuals of the wildfire’s impact, showcasing burned-down structures and vehicles in Oroville. The flames have threatened critical infrastructure, including water and power supply, prompting a local emergency declaration by the City of Oroville.

To combat the growing wildfire, California Governor Gavin Newsom has declared a State of Emergency. This designation opens the door for a Fire Management Assistance Grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency, enabling additional resources to be allocated to the area. The California Office of Emergency Services is also deploying extra firefighting and law enforcement personnel to assist with the ongoing firefighting efforts.

Firefighters are concentrated on containing the flames near the Oroville Dam and are actively working to prevent the fire from spreading beyond specific boundaries in Oroville. Despite the intense battle against the wildfire, no injuries have been reported as of now. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

A thick plume of smoke has enveloped Oroville, carried by winds towards the Sacramento area. Multiple firefighting aircraft, engines, and dozers have been deployed to combat the blaze, with operations underway from various strategic points including McClellan Park in Sacramento County. The situation remains dynamic as responders strive to bring the wildfire under control.

Cecilio Padilla, a digital producer for CBS Sacramento and a Sacramento-area native with extensive experience covering Northern California, has been providing on-the-ground updates of the Thompson Fire, offering critical information to residents and the broader community.