Thompson Fire forces 28,000 to evacuate in California

July 3 (UPI) -- California Gov. Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency Wednesday morning as the Thompson fire forced another 15,000 residents to evacuate, raising the total of evacuees to 28,000.

"We are using every available tool to tackle this fire and will continue to work closely with our local and federal partners to support impacted communities," Newsom said in a prepared statement Wednesday morning.

The northern California blaze has burned 3,002 acres and was at 0% containment as of Wednesday morning, the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection said.

"Butte County Fire Department is at [the] scene of a vegetation fire outside of Oroville," Cal Fire said. "Multiple evacuations are in place and an augmentation of ground and air resources have been ordered."

The Butte County Sheriff's Department issued evacuation orders for parts of the communities of Oroville, Cherokee, Oroville Northeast, Kelly Ridge and Hurleton.

The Hyatt Powerplant, the Oroville Field Office, Lake Oroville Visitor Center and the Thermalito Pumping-Generating Plant all fell under the evacuation order, personnel at the Oroville Dam were not at risk, according to the California Department of Water Resources.

Oroville declared a local emergency as the blaze threatened critical infrastructure, including the water supply.

Newsom announced the state had secured a Fire Management Assistance Grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency to help suppress the fire and provide vital resources, while the California Office of Emergency Services also deployed fire and law enforcement resources.

Cal Fire said 1,438 total personnel have been dedicated to the fire, including 199 fire engines, 46 dozers, 49 water tenders and eight helicopters.