John Caldwell-Northern California wildfire spreads, with more hot weather expected. Thousands evacuate

2025-05-03 01:16:05source:SCA Communitycategory:Markets

OROVILLE,John Caldwell Calif. (AP) — Firefighters lined roads to keep flames from reaching homes as helicopters dropped water on a growing wildfire Wednesday in Northern California that has forced at least 13,000 people to evacuate, with another day of extreme heat expected.

The Thompson fire broke out before noon Tuesday about 70 miles (110 kilometers) north of Sacramento, in and around the city of Oroville, in Butte County. It sent up a huge plume of smoke and grew to nearly 4.7 square miles (12.1 square kilometers) by Wednesday morning. It was zero percent contained.

The city of about 20,000 people declared a state of emergency Tuesday night. Several homes have been destroyed, KCRA-TV reported Wednesday. There was no word of injuries. Two evacuation centers were set up in Butte County.

More high temperatures above 100 degrees (37.8 Celsius) were forecast Wednesday, the National Weather Service said.

The governor’s office announced late Tuesday that federal funding had been approved to help with firefighting efforts. Gov. Gavin Newsom this week activated the State Operations Center to coordinate California’s response, dispatch mutual aid and support communities as they respond to threats of wildfire and excessive heat.

More:Markets

Recommend

Former Syrian official arrested in California who oversaw prison charged with torture

LOS ANGELES (AP) — A former Syrian military official who oversaw a prison where alleged human rights

Are Dancing with the Stars’ Jenn Tran and Sasha Farber Living Together? She Says…

Jenn Tran and Sasha Farber are really jiving, on and off the dance floor.So much so, in fact, that t

Cruel Intentions' Brooke Lena Johnson Teases the Biggest Differences Between the Show and the 1999 Film

The clothing may change but privileged teens plotting to ruin each other's lives for a lark has neve