Haunting moment terrified driver flees enormous California wildfires raging across huge swathe of Golden State, with blazes forcing mass-evacuations

Gritting his teeth in fear, he grips the steering wheel of his Toyota Yaris. This is the terrified face of a California man fleeing the massive wildfires in the Golden State.

The unidentified resident is one of more than 28,000 people ordered to evacuate Butte County after the Thompson wildfire burned more than 3,000 acres. More damage is likely to occur.

The fire broke out just before noon on Tuesday about 70 miles (113 kilometers) north of the state capital, Sacramento, and has now grown to an area of ​​nearly 4 square miles (12 square kilometers).

Governor Gavin Newsom was forced to declare a state of emergency as emergency crews tried to contain the raging fire, which can be seen from space.

Footage captured in the area shows helicopters dumping water on the flames as brave firefighters on the ground try to battle the fire.

The Thompson Fire, seen here, broke out just before noon Tuesday about 70 miles (113 kilometers) north of the state capital, Sacramento

Cal Fire reported Wednesday afternoon that the fire had grown to over 3,500 acres and was only zero percent contained.

CBS News reported that more than a dozen aircraft, 50 engines and 15 bulldozers were involved in the firefighting at that time.

Four firefighters were also reportedly injured while fighting the fire. There were 1,400 firefighters on the scene, along with eight helicopters.

About 13,000 people east of Lake Oroville were forced to evacuate due to the fires, according to the Butte County Sheriff’s Office.

Residents stood on the slopes at night watching the orange glow as planes dropped water to prevent the fire from spreading.

A team of more than a dozen firefighters saved a house as goats and other farm animals scrambled for safety.

Garret Sjolund, Butte County division chief for the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, said, “The conditions in our county this summer are very different than the conditions of the past two summers.

“The fuels are very dense, the undergrowth is dry. And as you can see, any wind will put a fire out very quickly.”

The ongoing conditions have prompted Pacific Gas & Electric to issue targeted power outages in parts of Northern California to prevent fires from falling or damaged wires.

More than a dozen aircraft, 50 engines and 15 bulldozers were involved in the firefighting at that time

About 13,000 people in eastern Lake Oroville were ordered to evacuate due to the fires, according to the Butte County Sheriff’s Office.

A firefighter runs as he battles the Thompson Fire raging Tuesday in Oroville, California

Oroville is expected to experience record temperatures of 110 degrees Fahrenheit or higher over the next five days, with a warning that the highest temperature ever could reach 110 degrees Fahrenheit on Saturday.

Meanwhile, the Basin Fire in Fresno County has burned more than 13,000 acres and is only 26 percent contained.

California Governor Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency on Wednesday to ensure sufficient resources are available to combat the ongoing fires.

Newsom said, “We are using all available resources to fight this fire and continue to work closely with our local and federal partners to support the impacted communities.

“As we enter one of the toughest months of the wildfire season, the state is better prepared than ever to protect vulnerable communities with new tools, technology and resources.”

Authorities have warned of legal consequences for illegal fireworks use during the Fourth of July holiday.

A boat crosses Lake Oroville with a smoldering hillside behind it as the Thompson Fire rages in Oroville, California, on Wednesday, July 3, 2024

Flames destroy vehicles on Bessie Lane during the Thompson Fire in Oroville, California, on Tuesday, July 2.

Flames destroy a home during the Thompson Fire in Oroville, California on July 2, 2024

“Don’t be an idiot, don’t start a fire and create more problems for us,” said Butte County Sheriff Kory L. Honea.

“Nobody in the community wants that. And we certainly don’t want this.”

The ongoing fire comes at a time when California was already on high alert for wildfires, with continued high temperatures and winds increasing the risk of fire.

Parts of the state are already exposed to “extreme” heat risk, according to the National Weather Service Index.

Conditions could last into Sunday or longer, with some areas warned that temperatures above 10 degrees could be life-threatening.

According to the National Weather Service, the conditions were caused by a high pressure system near the West Coast and a separate area that issued heat warnings and advisories from Kansas and Missouri to the Gulf Coast states.