Auto-SummaryA fire in Chico, California, has grown to 8,000 acres and threatens homes, particularly in Paradise. The fire, which broke out near Highway 32 and Humboldt Road, has forced evacuations of about 1,650 homes and structures, with over 1,000 residents already evacuated. Despite two firefighters suffering minor injuries and some residents returning home, the fire continues to pose a significant threat, especially in mountains where it can easily spread uphill. Evacuation centers have been set up, and the governor has declared a state of emergency for Butte County. The cause of the fire is under investigation.
HeadTrip420 said: damn your being dramatic that fire was like 100 miles away and your surrounded by fields youll be fine
me?
im in the mountains, people are freaking out and driving like maniacs trying to get out.
the wind is blowing away from us but its easy for fire to go uphill so its trapping us all up here.
im talking about this fire by the way http://www.sacbee.com/102/story/1008556.html
Quote: A fire burning in a canyon east of Chico has grown to 8,000 acres and continues to threaten homes.
The fire flared up just before 4 p.m. Thursday and is headed for the southern part of Paradise, forcing firefighters to evacuate a large section of the town, said Karen Sager, a fire spokeswoman. All houses south of Pearson Road were being evacuated, Sager said.
Closer to Chico, near the Tuscan Ridge Golf Course along the Skyway, flames were seen climbing hillsides south of Honey Run Road.
During a briefing Thursday morning, firefighters were told to use caution while battling the blaze.
"It's steep, ugly country and the potential for injuries is high, so be very careful," said Dan Summerville, a California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection battalion chief.
Two firefighters suffered minor injuries Wednesday.
The fire broke out just after noon Wednesday near the junction of Highway 32 and Humboldt Road, and high winds pushed the flames south-southeast into Stilson Canyon, toward Doe Mill Ridge and Honey Road in the Chico Creek Canyon, the Cal Fire blog states.
Late Wednesday evening, the fire jumped the Skyway, the highway that connects Chico to Paradise and other towns, and began burning south.
About 1,650 homes and structures remain threatened by the blaze and more than 1,000 residents remain evacuated, officials said.
"Our goal is to get them back as soon as it's safe," said Bob Wallen, division chief for Cal Fire and incident commander for the fire.
Some Honey Run Road residents said they were allowed to return home Thursday morning.
The reprieve allowed Bob Wisehart to return home to pick up a few items early Thursday afternoon. One of those items was his beloved 1940 Ford, a possession he has had for 40 years since he was 15.
"I'm making a shotgun run to get my vehicle out of here," he said.
Wisehart said the roads were blocked again, preventing his wife from returning to help him drive their RV.
Bernice Cossette, who has lived there for 45 years, also returned home and said she was relieved to find her home in tact.
"The firefighters do a good job, they deserve a lot of credit," she said.
As for Margarete Taylor, another Honey Run Road resident, she never left.
"We have a house we want to protect," Taylor said.
Taylor said her husband was on the roof dousing the house and the lawn. She watched the fire sear trees on the hill across the street behind her neighbor's house. At one point Wednesday evening, the fire jumped from across the street, narrowly missing her home and engulfing the hill behind the two-story beige stucco house.
"It was a like a firestorm," Taylor said. "The sound, all the crackling, it sounded scary."
By Thursday morning, the first floor of the house was blanketed in three feet of smoke, even though all the doors and windows were shut. Later in the day, the hill behind her home was still smoldering as a helicopter dumped loads of water from above.
The efforts managed to halt the fire's progress at the Skyway.
"The fire has been skunking the canyon for the whole morning and finally came out," said Jeff Kelley, a captain with the Sutter Creek Fire Department. "The wind picked it up and brought it out of the canyon."
Evacuations were ordered for homes along Honey Run Road, Zinfandel Road, Pam Court, Doe Mill Ridge and portions of Centerville and Neal roads, according to online Cal Fire information.
An evacuation center has been set up at the Neighborhood Church at 2801 Notre Dame Blvd.
Kimberly Jackson, 43, and her daughter Germaine, 14, were among the evacuees who spent the night at the shelter. Many evacuees flocked to Chico area hotels, where firefighters also stayed Wednesday night.
The Jacksons pushed two sofas together to form a makeshift -- and surprisingly comfortable -- bed. They kept warm under blankets they managed to grab before fleeing their home.
"I was so scared," Germaine said. "We just packed all our stuff, threw it in the car and came here."
Hundreds of fire personnel are working to control the blaze, including 17 Cal Fire crews, 57 engines, 10 dozers, four water tenders, four helicopters and four air tankers, officials said.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger declared a state of emergency for Butte County on Wednesday due to the two fires burning there.
Firefighters also were battling a 1,600-acre fire two miles south of Oroville. That fire, which began Tuesday morning, is now 100 percent contained. All evacuations have been lifted and roadways in the area have been reopened.
Fire crews will remain on scene for mop-up activities and to keep watch over the burn area.
The governor also directed additional resources and personnel to Cal Fire Wednesday to help battle fires throughout the state.
A red flag warning for the Chico area remains in effect until 5 p.m. Strong, sustained winds between 10 to 20 mph, with gusts up to 30 mph, are forecast to continue until Thursday evening, with a gradual decrease just after sunset. Low humidity also is anticipated, with minimal recovery overnight, according to the National Weather Service
-------------------- Hes simple, Hes dumb, Hes the pilot
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