California firefighters making progress on Thompson Fire amid grueling heat wave

01:09

Evacuations ordered as Thompson Fire erupts in Northern California

Evacuation orders were issued for parts of Butte County in Northern California, on Tuesday, as the Thompson Fire burned in the region.

OROVILLE, Calif. – Firefighters have been making good progress on a wildfire in Butte County, California, that originally forced thousands to flee around the town of Oroville.

The Thompson Fire ignited Tuesday morning on the outskirts of town and quickly spread, triggering urgent evacuation orders as more than 230 structures in the area were at risk from the flames. CAL Fire sent more than a thousand firefighters to the scene.

CALIFORNIA’S EARLY EXPLOSIVE WILDFIRE SEASON IS NEARLY 1,500% AHEAD OF LAST YEAR

A view of flames as Thompson Fire of wildfires continue in Oroville of Butte County in California, on July 2, 2024.

(Tayfun Coskun/Anadolu / Getty Images)

As of Thursday, the fire had burned 3,747 acres and was 7% contained, CAL Fire officials said.

But with now nearly 2,000 firefighters working the fire and a favorable wind shift, firefighters were optimistic the threat to homes was diminishing.

"If things continue to go successfully (Thursday) and the (winds) work in our favor, over the next two to three days you’re going to see a downsize in equipment on this incident," Cody Bogan, operations section chief with CAL Fire Team 6, said in a Thursday afternoon update. "And you’re going to continue to see the smoke dissipating and you’re going to see the firemen leave this area and begin to move onto other incidents in this state."

Already what used to be dozens of districts under evacuation warnings or orders was down to eight by Thursday afternoon. Power crews were working to reestablish and repair transmission lines that were damged by the fire to restore electricity to surrounding neighborhoods.

00:36

Helicopter used in fight against Thompson Fire in California

Firefighters have been using a helicopter against the Thompson Fire, which has led to evacuation orders in Butte County, California.

Record heat remains a challenge

But in addition to combating the wildfire, firefighters are also facing a prolonged and potentially life-threatening heatwave in the state this week with record-breaking heat, particularly in California's Central Valley. Three firefighters have already suffered heat-related injuries, officials said.

"The extremely hot weather dries out plant material, increasing the risk of wildfire," Cal Fire warned. "Avoid activities that could spark a wildfire, such as parking on dry grass, dragging chains or using equipment during the hottest parts of the day. Remember, one less spark means one less fire."

BEAVERS RETURN TO CALIFORNIA TRIBE LAND AFTER DECADES OF DISAPPEARANCE IN EFFORT TO BRING WATER TO LAND

The extreme heat is expected to intensify over the weekend, with millions of people potentially experiencing up to 10 consecutive days of temperatures reaching 110 degrees. 

(Long-duration, life-threatening heat is expected to scorch California. / FOX Weather)

Numerous daily heat records are likely to be broken in the coming week.