California Thompson fire 29% contained, smaller French fire 5% contained

Doug Cunningham
·2 min read
California firefighters have reached 29% containment of the Thompson fire in Butte County, pictured here. The smaller French fire in Mariposa County was 5% contained Friday morning. Photo courtesy of CalFire
California firefighters have reached 29% containment of the Thompson fire in Butte County, pictured here. The smaller French fire in Mariposa County was 5% contained Friday morning. Photo courtesy of CalFire

July 5 (UPI) -- Officials said California's Thompson fire was 29% contained and had burned 3,789 acres in Butte County by Thursday night. The French wildfire in Mariposa County was 5% contained and had burned 843 acres as of early Friday morning.

According to CalFire, 2,219 personnel were working the Thompson fire using 242 engines and 39 crews to fight the northern California Thompson fire.

According to Butte County public information officer Kristi Olio, most people under evacuation orders -- roughly 17,000 -- had those orders lifted and were able to return to their homes.

Lynette Bailey rushed to safely evacuate her 90-year-old father to a shelter as the Thompson fire raged.

"It was panic, because my dad didn't want to leave and I told him, 'You gotta get in the car right now,' Bailey told NBC News.

California's Thompson fire in Butte County was 29% contained Friday morning. It has burned 3,789 acres. Photo courtesy of CalFire
California's Thompson fire in Butte County was 29% contained Friday morning. It has burned 3,789 acres. Photo courtesy of CalFire

"Firefighters continue to strengthen containment and control lines," CalFire said in a statement. 'Firefighters on the line will continue to remain hydrated and ready in the event the fire activity increases."

Nearly the whole town of Mariposa was under evacuation orders.

According to CalFire, 2,219 firefighting personnel were working the Thompson fire using 242 engines and 39 crews, including 13 helicopters. Photo courtesy CalFire
According to CalFire, 2,219 firefighting personnel were working the Thompson fire using 242 engines and 39 crews, including 13 helicopters. Photo courtesy CalFire

Regina Lewis said on her Facebook page the "entire mountain above the high school is on fire" in the town of Mariposa

Hot and dry weather conditions, including an excessive heat warning, will remain in effect throughout the weekend.

The Thompson fire in Butte County, Calif., forced the evacuation of some 17,000 people. Most of them were able to return to their homes when the evacuation order was lifted after containment of the fire reached 29%. Photo courtesy of CalFire
The Thompson fire in Butte County, Calif., forced the evacuation of some 17,000 people. Most of them were able to return to their homes when the evacuation order was lifted after containment of the fire reached 29%. Photo courtesy of CalFire

An evacuation shelter is established at Oroville Church of the Nazerene and a small animal evacuation shelter was set up at 2279 Del Oro Ave. in Oroville.

A large animal shelter is open at Camelot Equestrian Park in Oroville.

A Red Cross shelter for the French fire that also accepts small animals was opened at the New Life Christian Church in Mariposa.

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