Gold Rush Town Partially Destroyed at the Hands of California Wildfire

A California Gold Rush town was torched on Tuesday thanks to a fast-moving wildfire. Here is the latest information on this devastating development.

Latest Update on California's 6-5 Fire

The 6-5 Fire tore through a historic Gold Rush community in Tuolumne County on Tuesday, sending residents fleeing and destroying homes. According to Cal Fire, the 6-5 Fire has burned about 6,500 acres and is 0% contained, as of Wednesday morning. Officials believe that a lightning strike started the fire.

It has been a volatile few days in California with more than a dozen new fires taking root across the state. There have been no injuries or fatalities reported as a result of the 6-5 Fire. However, at least five homes in the town of Chinese Camp have been damaged. This community, located approximately 57 miles to the east of Stockton, was originally settled by Chinese Miners in the 1850s. Originally called Camp Washington, Chinese Camp was renamed after thousands of immigrants settled there during the height of the Gold Rush.

Residents jumped into action as the fire suddenly began to spread, working tirelessly to guard their homes as they waited for fire crews to arrive. The town's residents used tree branches and sand to try to block the spread of the flames.

Cal Fire detailed that the 6-5 blaze is one of nine fires burning as part of the September Lightning Complex fires. In total, these fires have scorched over 9,300 acres. None of the September Lightning Complex Fires has been contained.

Local authorities are warning residents of the Golden State to evacuate immediately if instructed to do so. Delaying the evacuation could be the difference between life and death.

Mother Nature Exacerbating the Wildfire Situation in California

A surge of stormy conditions this week is being blamed for the widespread fire activity. The action picked up on Tuesday morning when a train of dry thunderstorms roared through California's Central Valley, producing thousands of lightning strikes. Firefighters are leaning on a number of resources to get the situation under control, including the use of fire engines, aircraft, and bulldozers.

A building heat wave across California and the western U.S. is continuing to present challenges for fire crews on the scene. Chinese Camp is forecast to remain under sunny skies with highs that hover in the upper 90s for the next few days. Temperatures will begin a downward trajectory at the end of the week and into the weekend.

Daily highs will top out in the low to mid 80s in Chinese Camp by early next week, hopefully providing a bit of relief to the containment effort. Winds are also expected to remain light.

Elsewhere in the state, the Pickett Fire continues to burn in Napa County. This inferno has burned nearly 7,000 acres since its start on August 21. Progress is being made in the containment effort with the flames now 91% contained.

We will continue to monitor this precarious situation in California and provide updates accordingly.

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