Thousands of residents in Butte County, Northern California, have been ordered to evacuate as a wildfire continues to burn, fueled by soaring temperatures from an ongoing heat wave in the West. The fire, known as the Thompson Fire, has already scorched more than 3,000 acres in the North Oroville community and remains zero percent contained.
The city of Oroville, with a population of around 15,000, declared a local emergency as the fire posed a significant threat. Evacuation orders were issued for approximately 13,000 residents in communities east of Lake Oroville, with the fire spreading towards Olive Highway in the Kelly Ridge area.
Firefighting efforts are underway with around 400 personnel, six helicopters, and six air tankers deployed to combat the blaze. However, the extreme weather conditions, including high temperatures, gusty winds, and low humidity, have made containment challenging.
Red flag warnings are in effect across the region, including the fire zone, due to the dangerous combination of weather factors. The Basin Fire in Fresno County has also been raging, burning over 13,000 acres with only 26% containment.
The heat wave, described as 'exceptionally dangerous and lethal' by meteorologists, is expected to persist throughout the week, affecting millions of people in the south-central US and West. Record-breaking temperatures have already been recorded in several cities, with Ukiah, California, hitting 110 degrees and Concord Airport reaching 107 degrees.
Residents are urged to take precautions and avoid outdoor burning or fireworks, especially as the Fourth of July holiday approaches. Excessive heat warnings are in place for most of California, with temperatures soaring above 100 degrees in many areas. Las Vegas and Death Valley are also bracing for extreme heat, with temperatures exceeding 110 and 120 degrees, respectively.
The heat wave is forecasted to expand to the Northwest and parts of Arizona, with triple-digit temperatures expected in Phoenix and other regions. Authorities are closely monitoring the situation and advising residents to stay hydrated and seek shelter in air-conditioned spaces to avoid heat-related illnesses.
