According to the county’s evacuation map, evacuation orders for the Grubbs fire in Palermo have been reduced to warnings. The fire ignited off Grubbs Road and Brollier Way in Palermo just before 4 pm (local time) on Wednesday, according to unofficial sources, including the Watch Duty App.
On Wednesday in Northern California, fire fighters lined roads and helicopters dropped water on the growing wildfire which has forced at least 26,000 people to evacuate. This state is under extreme heat currently. The region is struggling with a few fires; one of them is the Grubbs fire.
The huge smoke from Thompson fire can be seen from space after it broke out. Tuesday at noon about 70 miles north of Sacramento near Oroville extending a size of 5.5 square miles. Despite this difficult situation however. Oroville Mayor David Pittman observed significant reduction in fire activity by Wednesday afternoon expressing hope that some residents would soon return home. However, evacuations are still in effect along the northern edge of the blaze.
However, another fire broke out near Palermo on Wednesday afternoon approximately five miles south of Oroville necessitating new evacuations. This too remains uncontained as it was also christened as Grubbs. Fire zones 867-869 are under warning evacuations among others as per Butte County evacuation map.
There are over a dozen other wild fires. Which are currently active within the state mostly small ones according to California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire). On Simi Valley there was a brief period when people were asked to evacuate due to a bushfire. Basin fire located at Sierra National Forest (eastern Fresno County), being the largest covers almost 22 square miles with containment percentage standing at twenty six.
Oroville declared a state of emergency Tuesday night and set up evacuation centers. It expanded into rural areas beyond city limits and into neighboring foothills. In addition, several areas in Butte County are warned to note that fireworks are illegal due to fire risk.
There have been no immediate reports of property losses. However, an Associated Press photographer saw three suburban style houses on fire in Oroville. Residents watched as aircraft made water drops to contain the fire while firefighters saved one home.
The cause of the Grubbs fire is under investigation. Red flag warnings for critical fire weather conditions, including gusty winds and low humidity were in effect when the fire erupted. The conditions have led Pacific Gas and Electric (PG & E) to implement targeted public safety power shutoffs in parts of some Northern California counties to prevent fires from being ignited by downed or damaged wires.
Hot conditions with potential triple-digit temperatures are expected to continue into next week. Authorities have warned anyone using fireworks illegally during the Fourth of July holiday will face the full legal consequences.
This was disclosed by Governor Gavin News om late Tuesday night that there had been approval of federal funding towards fighting fires. State Operations Center has also been activated for coordinating California’s response. Dispatching mutual aid and supporting communities as wildfires and excessive heatwaves menace them.
On Wednesday, in California, Covington Flats was closed by Joshua Tree National Park officials due to extreme fire risk. Grass which had dried up after spring rains has put the important Joshua tree populations at risk. In June 2023 a fire burned a 1.6 square mile area of Joshua trees and desert tortoise habitat.
