BUTTE COUNTY, Calif. — Click here for the latest updates on the Thompson Fire.
Nanette Freeman was among the thousands of people ordered to evacuate across Butte County as crews battled the fast-moving Thompson Fire near Oroville.
Cal Fire said holding the fire at Oroville Dam and keeping it out of Kelly Ridge was their first priority. Freeman's house in Kelly Ridge was among those that were saved.
However, some families haven't been so lucky.
As of Cal Fire's last incident report, no structures have been officially confirmed as destroyed or damaged. However, ABC10 reporter Luke Cleary saw a home on fire with another right next door burned down to its foundation. At the end of the block, there appeared to be another house on fire.
With smoke visible for miles, neighbors could only watch and wait.
"It looks like a lot of people’s houses are in trouble," said Scott, who lives in Palermo.
For Jerry, an evacuee, the sight of smoke makes him a bit uneasy.
"Oh yeah you see these plumes of black smoke are probably asphalt shingles going up someone’s roof. It’s a devastating feeling," he said.
Cal Fire is strongly urging people to obey evacuation orders. Butte County Sheriff Kory Honea said 13,000 people were impacted by the Thompson Fire evacuation orders.
Two evacuation shelters have been opened, one at the Oroville Church of the Nazarene and other one at the Gridley fairgrounds. Large animals can be taken to Camelot Equestrian Park in Oroville and small animals can be taken to 2279 Del Oro Avenue in Oroville.
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