A destructive wildfire ravaged buildings and forced 29,000 residents to evacuate the area near Oroville in Butte County, California. However, officials are now reporting that the blaze, known as the Thompson fire, is showing signs of slowing down.
Firefighters worked tirelessly overnight to battle the flames, and as of Thursday morning, the fire’s spread had stabilized at around 3,500 acres burned. The intense winds that initially fueled the fire have subsided, prompting officials to consider lifting evacuation orders in certain areas.
Kevin Colburn, a spokesperson for Cal Fire, expressed optimism about the situation, stating, “Overall, things are looking pretty good. The fire is not spreading rapidly anymore and is mostly contained within its current footprint.”
While officials are gaining more confidence in controlling the fire, Mr. Colburn emphasized that there is still much work to be done and the situation could evolve. As of Thursday morning, the fire was only 7 percent contained.
California is currently under an excessive heat warning, with temperatures in Oroville expected to soar to 110 degrees on Thursday. The scorching heat, combined with low humidity, may lead to increased fire activity. Despite these challenges, firefighters were able to swiftly contain two smaller fires near Oroville on Wednesday.
Butte County has unfortunately been no stranger to devastating wildfires in recent years, with the Camp fire in 2018 being one of the deadliest in American history. This tragic event claimed 85 lives and nearly wiped out the town of Paradise, located just 20 miles north of Oroville.
