BUTTE COUNTY, Calif. — 9:27 p.m. update:
A fire burning in the Oroville Wildlife Area has been knocked down to 6.1 acres and is fully contained, according to the Butte County Fire Department.
The fire department is continuing to mop up the fire with six engines and a dozer. No one was hurt and no structures were threatened by the flames.
The Butte County Fire Department officials did not say when the fire would be extinguished.
Original story:
Butte County Fire Department is expecting it would take hours to put out a 10-acre fire in the Oroville Wildlife Area on Friday evening.
Fire officials did say that forward has been stopped. They didn't say when it is expected for the flames to be put out.
According to Cal Fire, 2020 was one of the most severe fire seasons on record as 9,917 wildfires burned 4.2 million acres. Over 9,000 structures were destroyed and 31 people (civilians and firefighters) were killed.
California also experienced its first "Gigafire" because of the August Complex Fire, burning over 1 million acres by itself. Four of California's top five largest wildfires in state history happened in 2020.
If you live in a wildfire-prone zone, Cal Fire suggests creating a defensible space around your home. Defensible space is an area around a building in which vegetation and other debris are completely cleared. At least 100 feet is recommended.
The Department of Homeland Security suggests assembling an emergency kit that has important documents, N95 respirator masks, supplies to grab with you if you’re forced to leave at a moment’s notice. The agency also suggests signing up for local warning system notifications and know your community’s evacuation plans to best prepare yourself and your family in cases of wildfires.
Some counties use Nixle alerts to update residents on severe weather, wildfires and other news. To sign up, visit www.nixle.com or text your zip code to 888777 to start receiving alerts.
PG&E customers can also subscribe to alerts via text, email or phone call. If you're a PG&E customer, visit the Profile & Alerts section of your account to register.
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