OROVILLE, Calif. – More than 28,000 residents have been ordered to evacuate as the Thompson Fire continues to expand near Oroville, California. The wildfire has already consumed over 3,500 acres, leaving a trail of devastation in its wake.
Governor Gavin Newsom has declared a state of emergency in response to the escalating crisis. The firefighting efforts involve more than 1,000 personnel, though the battle has not been without casualties; at least seven firefighters have sustained injuries.
Footage from the scene reveals the ferocity of the blaze, with flames engulfing structures and vehicles in Butte County. One evacuee described the emotional toll, stating, “It’s been a rollercoaster of emotions, but I’m trying to stay optimistic because, what else can you do?”
Residents have shared harrowing stories of the evacuation. One woman recounted how her horse appeared stressed after being separated from its companion, a lamb. “I left the gate open so the lamb could get out, but my horse keeps crying for her friend,” she said.
Cailynne Brewer, who is under an evacuation warning, described the chaotic scene at her temporary shelter. “We moved to a friend’s house, and it’s crowded. There are five people there already, and we brought our dog and two cats,” Brewer explained.
Amid the chaos, concerns about the Oroville Dam have surfaced. Brendon Matheson, a local resident, expressed his fears about the dam’s safety. Cal Fire’s Ryan Lubben reassured the public, stating, “We’re closely monitoring the situation. Fire crews and dam officials are on high alert.”
The fire has also forced the cancellation of Oroville’s Fourth of July celebrations, a decision that has left many residents disheartened. “It’s supposed to be a time of celebration, but instead, we’re dealing with this disaster,” lamented Ivy Miguel of Yuba City.