BUTTE COUNTY, Calif. — According to Cal Fire, the four-week-old Dixie Fire increased by roughly 10,000 acres as it continues to burn in Butte, Lassen, Plumas and Tehama counties, burning a total of 515,756 acres with only 31% containment. It still remains the second-largest wildfire in state history.
Evacuees like Theresa and Craig McDonald fled Chester are still waiting to go home to Chester. On Thursday, the couple and their dogs sat outside a tent they're temporarily calling home at the Susanville evacuation center. After 8 days of waiting, they said staying optimistic about their return home can be challenging.
"There's times of crying and... it's hard," Theresa said.
Cal Fire was expecting warm and dry conditions in the forecast as crews continue to battle the Dixie Fire.
Operation Section Chief Jake Cagle said the fire progressed through China Gulch on Wednesday and was coming into Wilcox Valley. Crews are doing what they can to protect the area as much as possible.
However, looking forward, the firefight will continue to be a challenging one.
Cagle said there's a 20% chance of thunderstorms. Cagle said firefighters will be dealing with erratic winds and embers that could spark new fires.
Operations Section Chief Mark Brunton said Warner Valley has been area of concern due to winds, fast-moving fire and erratic fire behavior.
There are a total of 6,160 personnel working the fire, 14,416 structures are threatened by the fire, and so far 1,109 have been destroyed along with 72 structures damaged. Three first responders have been injured.
With evacuations still in place, a Taylorsville resident said people stay behind to protect their horses and cows grazing under the smoky skies, while others stay to protect their homes and provide resources to those who have lost everything.
"We’ve got people running around, watering their gardens and feeding their chickens and taking care of their cats because that’s what we do, you just help each other out," Lorraine Hanson, Taylorsville resident, said.
Click HERE for Wednesday's updates.
Accounts to follow:
Evacuations and road closures
Click HERE for in-depth evacuation orders and warnings in Plumas, Butte, Tehama, and Lassen Counties. For current state highway/route information visit roads.dot.ca.gov.
Evacuation centers
- Spring of Hope Church, 59 Belle Lane Quincy, CA 95971
- run by the American Red Cross California Gold Country Region
- Plumas County Animal Services, 201 N Mill Creek Rd Quincy, CA 95971
- Veterans Memorial Hall at 180 Gay St. in Chester, CA
- Lassen Community College at 478-200 CA-139 Susanville
- Plumas County Fairgrounds 204 Fairground Road, Quincy (large animals)
- Recreation Center 101 Meadowview Lane, Chester
- Tehama County Complex 1830 Walnut Street, Red Bluff (large and small animals)
Dixie Fire Structure Status Map
A live map showing which structures have been destroyed or at risk is available below.
Butte County Evacuation Map
A live evacuation map from Butte County is available below.
Wildfire Map
An updated map of the acreage of the Dixie Fire
WILDFIRE PREPS
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 best to 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, 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.
WATCH MORE ON ABC10: California Wildfires: Dixie Fire Wednesday evening update