Raging wildfires in northern California has forced nearly 30,000 residents to evacuate as the state endures a brutal heatwave.
Thompson Fire
The Thompson Fire, which erupted near Oroville on Tuesday, has already consumed over 3,700 acres (1,497 hectares) and is threatening thousands of homes. The blaze, fueled by the intense heat, has destroyed at least four structures and injured eight people, including firefighters.
More than 1,400 fire personnel are battling the fire, which remains 0% contained as of Wednesday afternoon.
Ed Fletcher, a public information officer with CalFire, highlighted the difficulties faced by firefighters. “The combination of events has presented a huge challenge for firefighters,” he said, urging the public to take precautions to prevent new fires. “You are asking people to hike up a mountain when it’s 108F outside.”
The cause of the Thompson Fire is still under investigation.
More than a dozen other blazes, most of them small, were active across the state, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, or Cal Fire. A new fire Wednesday afternoon prompted brief evacuations in heavily populated Simi Valley, about 40 miles (65 kilometers) northwest of downtown Los Angeles.
State emergency declared
California Governor Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency on Wednesday to ensure resources are available for fire response and recovery. Newsom also announced that California had secured a fire management assistance grant (FMAG) from FEMA to help cover firefighting costs.
Fourth of July fireworks celebration cancelled
Officials in a Northern California community cancelled the annual Fourth of July fireworks celebration as firefighters are battling flames amid hot weather. Authorities warned that fireworks are banned in many places, including most of Butte County, citiing the ongoing evacuations and damage caused by the Thompson Fire for the cancellation of Oroville’s fireworks show, which was specially permitted.
French Fire
Another fast-moving wildfire French Fire started around 6:30 p.m. Thursday north of town and quickly grew to 791 acres, according to Cal Fire. The fire “will likely pose an imminent threat to town itself overnight,” UCLA-affiliated climate and weather expert Daniel Swain wrote on social media Thursday night. “Evacuation are expanding, and conditions will remain very warm/dry though the night.”
Areas affected by the French Fire in Mariposa County are prompting mandatory evacuations, the Mariposa County Sheriff’s Office said.
Record breaking heat
The state is experiencing record-breaking heat, with Sacramento temperatures forecasted to reach between 105F and 115F (40.5C and 46.1C).
Las Vegas, Nevada, could exceed its all-time high temperature of 117 degrees Sunday or Monday, and Death Valley, California, could approach 130 degrees by Sunday.
Climate scientist Dr. Daniel Swain warned of the prolonged and severe heatwave, saying, “This is going to be a severe, prolonged, potentially record-breaking heatwave that may have large impacts for much of California.” The heatwave is expected to persist through the holiday weekend, posing health risks to large swaths of the population, particularly those without access to cooling.
Nationwide, more than 140 million people across more than 20 states in parts of the South and West are under heat alerts – and there will be no relief until the middle of next week.
“The duration of this heat is also concerning as scorching above average temperatures are forecast to linger into next week,” the National Weather Service said. “Heat impacts can compound over time, therefore it is important to remain weather aware and follow the advice of local officials.”