Thompson Fire: A Wildfire in Butte County, California
A wildfire named Thompson Fire has been burning in Butte County, California since July 2, 2024. The fire started near Cherokee Road and Thompson Flat Cemetery and has grown to over 3,600 acres. Due to the rapid rate of spread, mandatory evacuation orders have been issued for several zones including BUT-CHE-532 through BUT-KR-715, zones 800, 730, and 964 in Oroville.
The Thompson Fire has forced the evacuation of over 13,000 people. The Butte County Sheriff's Office upgraded evacuation warnings to orders for zones 700 through 715, and zone 851 in Kelly Ridge and Hurleton areas of Oroville due to a fire burning in the area.
Firefighters requested de-energizing of all transmission lines in and around the fire perimeter as they were arcing out. The IC requested 10 more engine strike teams as the fire had spotted into Sycamore Hill area.
California secured a Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG) from FEMA to help cover costs of suppressing the Thompson Fire. More than a dozen aircraft, 50 engines, and 15 dozers were engaged in the firefight.
No injuries have been reported from the Thompson Fire. The cause of the fire is not yet known.
Background Information: Butte County is located in northern California and is home to several cities including Oroville, Chico, and Paradise. The county has a population of approximately 220,000 people.
The Thompson Fire comes as California experiences another active wildfire season. According to Cal Fire, there have been over 1,500 wildfires in California since the start of the year.
Bias: It is important to note that all sources used in this article are from mainstream media outlets. While every effort was made to ensure accuracy and completeness of information, it is essential to be aware of potential biases that may exist within these sources. It's crucial for readers to consider multiple perspectives when forming their opinions on current events.