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Territorial Dispatch

Thompson Fire Rages

Jul 03, 2024 02:16PM ● By Seti Long

The Thompson Fire could be seen glowing in the hills around Oroville. A view of it across Lake Oroville from the Oroville Dam illustrates how much the fire has already burned. Photo courtesy of CAL FIRE


OROVILLE, CA (MPG) - An ominous smoking “O” on the side of Table Mountain and darkening skies set the tone for Tuesday afternoon, July 2 as a wildfire quickly spread from the base of the iconic mountain.

Originating at Cherokee Road and Thompson Flat in North Oroville, the fire grew exponentially, increasing from 40 acres to more than 2,000 acres by the evening, even with a fierce response from CAL FIRE and support crews.


The iconic "O" for Oroville on the side of Table Mountain survived but is left in a haunting, charred landscape. Photo by Seti Long


By 2 p.m., multiple helicopters and CAL FIRE (California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection) planes were dropping water and retardant on the blaze that shifted and turned eastward toward the dam and then circled back down towards Kelly Ridge.

At the 6 p.m. July 2 update by CAL FIRE Unit Chief Garratt Sjolund, the fire had surpassed 2,135 acres. At that time, Sjolund reported that 14 aircraft, 16-plus hand crews, 50-plus engines and 15 dozers were working on the blaze. He shared that orders had been placed for 34 strike teams from throughout the state comprised of five engines each and that 12 more hand crews had been requested and 20 more dozers. Three helicopters would continue to work throughout the night on the blaze.


A plane drops fire retardant on the blaze. Photo courtesy of CAL FIRE


Butte County Sheriff Cory Honea reported that more than 13,000 people had been evacuated and that due to the scope of the evacuation process, mutual aid had been requested from every department within Butte County. In addition, 20 out-of-area departments were sending 75 law enforcement officers to the area to supplement Butte County Sheriff’s Office and local departments during the emergency.

On July 2, the City of Oroville declared a state of emergency and Governor Gavin Newsom secured a Fire Management Assistance Grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to ensure Oroville received the necessary resources during this time.

The morning of July 3, Governor Newsom proclaimed a state of emergency in Butte County in response to the Thompson Fire.

As of press time, there had not been a July 3 morning update provided by CAL FIRE.

Large areas of Oroville were still under evacuation orders and warnings, as of press time. Evacuation centers are based in Oroville at the Nazarene Church 2238 Monte Vista Ave. and Gridley at the Butte County Fairgrounds, 199 E. Hazel St. Both are accepting animals at this time.

A large animal shelter has been established at Camelot Equestrian Park at 1985 Clark Road, Oroville.

The fire is a serious concern and, at press time, the latest CALFIRE incident report lists four firefighter injuries. There is no confirmed number of structures destroyed but buildings have been lost.

Based off the information available, the fire on June 3 currently sits at 3,568 acres burned with zero containment.