California wildfires: Thompson Fire in Butte County triggers evacuation order for thousands as heat rises across West

CNN
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Thousands of people have been ordered to evacuate Northern California due to a wildfire raging in Butte County, as an “exceptionally dangerous and deadly” heat wave intensifies across the West.

The high temperatures – which will continue into next week – have dried out already parched vegetation, increasing the risk of wildfires in the region.

Gov. Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency in the fire area, paving the way for additional resources, including the possibility of mobilizing the California National Guard to assist.

The governor's proclamation cites “continued high temperatures throughout the day and night, dry conditions and strong winds” that have increased the intensity and spread of the fire.

A local emergency was also declared and evacuations were ordered Tuesday night for some residents in the city of Oroville as the Thompson Fire continues to burn in Butte County, according to local officials.

Cal Fire said the fire had grown to more than 3,500 acres and was zero percent contained in an update around noon local time Wednesday.

Four firefighters battling the blaze were injured, Cal Fire said. More than 1,400 firefighters are working to extinguish the flames, along with eight helicopters and numerous air tankers, the agency said.

Oroville is about 65 miles north of Sacramento and has a population of about 15,000. The city is about 20 miles south of Paradise, where the devastating Camp Fire killed more than 70 people in 2018. Some of the residents affected by that fire eventually moved to Oroville.

About 13,000 people in Butte County, including areas northeast of Oroville, have been ordered to evacuate, according to the sheriff's office.

The city of Oroville's Fourth of July fireworks celebration was canceled by California State Parks on Wednesday as firefighters continue to battle the blaze, the department said in a news release.

“Due to the mass evacuations and damage caused by the Thompson Fire, State Parks and partner agencies … have a wealth of resources available to meet the needs of the community and get everyone home as quickly as possible,” State Parks said. “These agencies also have employees whose families were displaced by these evacuations who are tirelessly assisting the Lake Oroville community.”

Red flag warnings are in effect across the West, including the fire zone, due to extreme heat, high winds and low humidity. Already high temperatures will only increase Wednesday with the start of an exceptional and sustained heat wave.

Oroville will see record temperatures of 110 or higher each of the next five days – Saturday could reach a a record high of 113 degrees, making it even more difficult for firefighters to fight the blaze.

The Basin Fire in Fresno County has burned more than 13,000 acres and is currently only 26% contained.

“Outdoor fireworks and especially fireworks are not recommended,” the San Francisco Weather Service warned ahead of Independence Day.

Nationally, more than 150 million people in at least 22 Mid-South and Western states are under heat alerts.

The heat wave is “exceptionally dangerous and deadly,” the San Francisco weather service said, warning that “an event of this size, magnitude and longevity will likely rival anything we have seen in the last 18 years in inland areas.”

The heat began Tuesday in parts of the West, where many daily high temperature records were tied or broken:

Some cities could see multiple days of temperatures well above 100 degrees, and some, including Sacramento, could potentially see an entire week of highs above 105 degrees.

Most of California, outside of the immediate coastline, is under excessive heat warnings. High temperatures ranging from 90°F to 110°F are possible.

Las Vegas could see highs of over 43 degrees all week. The current record is 10 consecutive days set last year. Death Valley could see highs of 49 degrees or higher all week.

The heat is expected to spread to the northwest and parts of Arizona, including Phoenix, by the weekend, where triple-digit temperatures are expected, with some parts of Arizona seeing highs above 110 degrees.

A 10-year-old boy died Tuesday in Arizona after suffering a heat-related emergency while hiking with his family in South Mountain Park and Preserve, authorities said. First responders performed a mountain rescue and airlifted the boy to a hospital, where he later died, the Phoenix Police Department said.

On Saturday, a 69-year-old hiker from Austin, Texas, died at the Grand Canyon, according to the National Park Service. Scott Sims lost consciousness on the trail and attempts by passersby and paramedics to resuscitate him failed.

Park rangers warn that summer temperatures on the trail can reach more than 120 degrees in the shade and advise against hiking during daylight hours, between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Efforts to assist hikers may be delayed during the summer due to increased needs and limited resources, the park service said.