Historic Gold Rush Town Threatened by Fast-Moving Wildfire
LOS ANGELES — As firefighters battle a raging wildfire in Central California, a historic Gold Rush town is in jeopardy as the blaze has already burned through thousands of acres and damaged or destroyed multiple buildings after being ignited in a lightning storm on Tuesday.
The wildfire, dubbed the 6-5 Fire, has forced the evacuation of over 300 residents in and around Chinese Camp in Tuolumne County, with officials warning that the fire is still out of control and spreading rapidly.
With nearly 350 more people on standby for immediate evacuation, the situation remains tense as the fire continues to devour the landscape at an alarming rate. The fire has scorched close to 7,000 acres by Wednesday evening, with containment efforts at 0%, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection.
Despite the destruction caused by the blaze, there have been no reported injuries or fatalities as of Wednesday morning. However, multiple structures have been damaged or destroyed, leaving many residents devastated by the impact of the fire.
One witness described a frantic scene as residents worked tirelessly to protect their homes, with some even resorting to using sand and tree branches to contain the flames before firefighters arrived. The fire has already claimed at least five homes in the area.
As the fire threatens the town, parts of nearby highways 120 and 49 have been closed due to the blaze, causing further disruptions in the area.
Chinese Camp, once a bustling hub for Chinese miners during the Gold Rush era, now faces the threat of being engulfed by flames as the fire rages on. The town’s historic post office building, dating back to 1854, has already been destroyed in the fire, adding to the sense of loss felt by residents.
With the fire showing no signs of slowing down, firefighters are bracing for challenging weather conditions, including dry heat and gusty winds, which could fuel the flames further. As the battle against the wildfire continues, the future of Chinese Camp hangs in the balance.
