More evacuations have been relaxed Thursday as firefighters continued to battle flames and extreme heat at the Thompson Fire burning near Lake Oroville in Butte County.
The wildfire, which started Tuesday morning on Cherokee Road, has charred 3,747 acres (5.85 square miles) and was 7% contained in the latest update from Cal Fire’s Butte County unit. That’s only 200 acres more than Wednesday night’s progress as fire conditions moderated overnight with cooler temperatures and higher humidities. Firefighters were also aided by weaker winds that had plagued the area, under a red flag warning since Monday.
Rick Carhart, a spokesman for Cal Fire BTU, said Wednesday that flames had destroyed at least four structures in the Kelly Ridge area, including one home seen ablaze on Bessie Lane. Cal Fire damage assessment crews are still surveying the damage.
According to Cal Fire officials, nearly 2,000 personnel are now fighting the fire, including Incident Management Team 6, 20 helicopters and over 200 engines.
On Thursday afternoon, the Butte County Sheriff’s Office relaxed some of the mandatory evacuations in the Kelly Ridge area, allowing residents to return to check on their properties. Several areas near the fire leading edge remain off limits.
“Residents can return to their homes but are advised to stay aware of changing fire and weather conditions, possible hazards from fire activity and fire equipment and personnel in these areas,” deputies said in a 2 p.m. update.
Other notable fires burning in Northern California as of 2 p.m.:
Moccasin Fire: The 51.1-acre fire in El Dorado County along Oak Hill Road was 35% contained as of Thursday, according to Cal Fire’s Amador-El Dorado unit. The fire, in a rural area the Moccasin Trail west of Somerset, had grown Wednesday afternoon at a moderate rate of spread that was tamped down by firefighters through the night.
“Crews are holding the fire at 51 acres, and it is 35% contained,” Cal Fire AEU said. “Containment operations, including mopping up and extinguishing hot spots, will continue throughout the day.”
Several evacuation orders were lowered to warnings but remain in place for areas near the fire, roughly a 1-mile radius south of Oak Hill.
Grubbs Fire: The final size of the blaze south of the Thompson Fire and east of Palermo was 12.8 acres, Cal Fire BTU said in a Thursday morning update. Evacuations were lifted after residents in two zones were told to leave.
Adams Fire: The 16-acre blaze near Lower Lake in Lake County was 60% contained by Thursday morning after flames broke out on the 16200 block of Main Street. The fire had a “rapid rate” of spread and structures were threatened Wednesday after it broke out just after 3 p.m. All evacuations were lifted, said Cal Fire’s Sonoma-Lake-Napa unit.
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