Thousands of residents are being evacuated as an uncontrolled wildfire rages in northern California, exacerbated by what officials describe as a “record-breaking and dangerous” heatwave gripping a wide swath of the United States.
The blaze, which ignited outside Oroville on Tuesday, has already consumed more than 3,500 acres (1,400 hectares) of grass and woodland. Oroville, located just 23 miles (38 kilometers) from Paradise — devastated by California’s deadliest fire in 2018 — is under threat once again.
Butte County Fire Chief Garrett Sjolund emphasized the challenging conditions under a “red flag warning,” noting dry brush and dense fuels that facilitate rapid fire spread with any wind.
Local NBC affiliate KCRA reported over 25,000 people under evacuation orders on Wednesday.
Climate scientists attribute the increasingly frequent and intense wildfires to a long-term aridification of the western U.S., exacerbated by human-induced global warming. Despite recent years of moderate conditions, 2024 has brought hot and dry weather, quickly drying out vegetation and increasing fire risk.
Officials have expressed particular concern ahead of the July 4th holiday, warning against fireworks due to the elevated fire danger.
Firefighting efforts involve around 1,400 personnel, deploying ground crews, heavy machinery, planes, and helicopters equipped with fire suppressants. Several injuries have been reported, though none serious, with buildings and vehicles already destroyed.
California Governor Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency in Butte County, aiming to mobilize additional resources to combat the blaze and support affected communities.
As temperatures soar to potentially record-breaking levels — up to 115 degrees Fahrenheit (46 degrees Celsius) — across the region, the National Weather Service has issued heat-related warnings and advisories affecting nearly 150 million residents in 21 states.
Forecasters predict the heatwave will intensify, stretching from the West Coast into the southern Plains and Mid-Atlantic, with numerous record highs expected in the coming days.
The escalation of extreme weather events underscores the urgent need for climate action amid ongoing global warming, driven largely by human activities since the Industrial Revolution.
