Spread of Nelson Fire halted near Oroville. Three homes destroyed, Cal Fire says
Evacuations in Butte County were lifted Wednesday after a vegetation fire burned five homes and 95 over several hours, but firefighters stopped its forward spread and had it completely contained, Cal Fire and law enforcement authorities say.
The Nelson Fire was first reported burning in the area of Thermalito, just west of Oroville, shortly before noon Wednesday, according to Cal Fire’s Butte unit. Investigators had not determined the cause of the fire.
Initially, Cal Fire officials said the fire destroyed four homes. After further inspection, officials said the fire destroyed three homes and damaged two others. Some of the homes burned were on Mountain Vista Drive.
The National Weather Service on Wednesday issued a red flag warning due to high wildfire risk. Those conditions, which included gusty wind and very low humidity, fueled the fast-burning blaze, according to a Cal Fire news release.
The fire spread to about 50 acres by 1:10 p.m., but crews at the time were making “good progress on stopping the forward spread” as of that time, Cal Fire officials said. Photos posted by the Butte unit showed flames at or very close to residential properties.
About 1:40 p.m., firefighters had 50 percent containment of the Nelson Fire. Crews had about 75 percent of the fire contained by 4:30 p.m., and they had 100 percent containment by 7 p.m., according to Cal Fire.
Around 12:15 p.m., the Butte County Sheriff’s Office tweeted that mandatory evacuations had been ordered for all residents living in the area of Crest Drive and 16th Street, as well as residents on Mountain Vista Avenue in Oroville. At 12:30 p.m. the county expanded the evacuations to include the area from 18th Street to Highway 70, and between Nelson and Grand avenues.
By 6 p.m., sheriff’s officials announced that all evacuation orders had been lifted. A temporary evacuation point was set up at the Nelson Softball Complex parking lot. Cal Fire officials said the Red Cross responded to the area to help those who lost their homes.
Firefighters remained in the area into Wednesday evening as they looked for any possible smoldering spots or remaining damage.
This story was originally published June 17, 2020 at 12:34 PM.
