6-5 Fire grows to 6,400 acres, scorches historic California Gold Rush town
A fast-moving wildfire has burned nearly 6,500 acres in Chinese Camp, a historic Gold Rush-era town about 60 miles east of Stockton, California. The fire has forced the town and nearby highways to evacuate, according to CalFire.
The blaze has destroyed homes and continues to threaten other structures. The fire also scorched the Chinese Camp Cemetery, according to CBS Sacramento.
Fight to contain the flames
The Associated Press reports that seven people were trying to get the fire under control as they waited for firefighters to arrive. The individuals worked to move tree branches and pour sand until firefighters arrived about half an hour later.
According to CalFire, officials have requested additional crews, dozers, aircraft and engines to aid in the fight against the so-called 6-5 Fire.
Part of a larger complex
The blaze is one of three major fires forcing evacuations as part of the TCU September Lightning Complex. The complex includes 10 lightning-sparked wildfires that have already consumed nearly 12,500 acres as of Wednesday.
‘Dangerous rate of speed’
No injuries have been reported in the fires, but CalFire describes the 6-5 Fire as spreading “at a dangerous rate of speed” with zero containment as of Wednesday morning.
The latest outbreak comes nearly a month after the Gifford Fire became the largest wildfire in California this year, injuring several people.
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Ella Rae Greene, Editor In Chief
