More than 28,000 individuals have been ordered to evacuate their homes as a wildfire continues to ravage northern California, officials announced on Wednesday. The blaze, known as the Thompson Fire, erupted on Tuesday morning in Oroville, located approximately 65 miles north of Sacramento. By Wednesday morning, the fire had grown to 3,002 acres and remained uncontained, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire).

The cause of the fire is currently under investigation. It has already destroyed four structures and has posed a threat to around 12,000 others, including power lines, shared Butte County Fire Department spokesperson Rick Carhart. As a result, a total of 1,438 personnel, including 18 firefighters dispatched by the San Francisco Fire Department, have been deployed to combat the blaze.

Videos circulating on social media show ominous clouds of orange-gray smoke billowing above Oroville, illustrating the intensity of the flames. So far, no civilian injuries have been reported, Carhart stated. However, four firefighters have suffered minor heat-related injuries during their efforts to mitigate the fire.

To address the escalating situation, California Governor Gavin Newsom has declared a state of emergency for Butte County, emphasizing the state's commitment to supporting affected communities. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has also announced that it approved federal funds on Tuesday night to assist California in suppressing the fire.

Following the onset of the fire on Tuesday, residents of Oroville were immediately ordered to evacuate. Butte County has since set up two evacuation shelters, located at the Oroville Church of the Nazarene and Gridley Fairgrounds, to accommodate those displaced by the disaster.

The Thompson Fire is one of 17 wildfires currently blazing across the state, exacerbating concerns amid a dangerous heat wave sweeping through the West just ahead of the long Fourth of July weekend. Consequently, the scorching temperatures and heightened risk of wildfires have led to the cancellation or rescheduling of several holiday events. The city of St. Helena has postponed its fireworks display, while the city of Antioch has called off its Independence Day Parade.

California has already witnessed a staggering number of wildfires this year, with 2,934 fires burning over 139,500 acres. The Thompson Fire serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing challenges faced by the state, as it grapples with the devastating impact of these relentless blazes.