California burns as heat wave spreads across western U.S.

OROVILLE, California — Firefighters are continuing to battle wildfires across the state as Californians brace for triple-digit temperatures and a dangerous, prolonged heat wave that’s forecast to stretch into next week.

The most concerning blaze Wednesday was the Thompson fire burning in Oroville, where several structures were destroyed and thousands evacuated as flames pushed closer to communities.

Gov. Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency for the fire on Wednesday, noting that it was threatening “structures, homes, critical infrastructure, and health and congregate care facilities.”

“We are using every available tool to tackle this fire and will continue to work closely with our local and federal partners to support impacted communities,” Newsom said in a statement.

The Thompson fire tripled in size overnight from 1,000 acres to more than 3,500 acres Wednesday afternoon and was still at 0% containment, according to officials with the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection. The blaze was spreading in two directions: north into more rural territory and south toward additional homes and businesses.

Four firefighters have been injured, but additional details were not available.

The winds from the north have continued to push the flames toward Kelly Ridge, a heavily populated neighborhood east of Lake Oroville where most of the evacuees live, said Rick Carhart, a public information officer for Cal Fire’s Butte County station.

Among them were Don and Linda Pederson, who said they wouldn’t be run out by the latest fire to encroach on their property.

“It’s not the first time this has happened,” said Don, 81.

But it’s the closest a fire has come to their home of 50 years, which sits on an acre lot east of Oroville Dam that’s been in Linda’s family since 1945. He said he thinks the fire, at its closest, was about a mile away, but that they don’t plan to evacuate unless it crosses Highway 162.

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