New 1,200-Acre Wildfire Burning Near Where The 2018 Camp Fire Started
BUTTE COUNTY (CBS13) — A fast-moving wildfire dubbed the Dixie Fire is growing in the same area burned by the 2018 Camp Fire.
Cal Fire says the wildfire has burned 1,200 acres as of Wednesday morning. Firefighters say they expect they'll need a lot more help.
The fire reportedly started just uphill from the town of Pulga - where the deadly Camp Fire started as well.
#Dixiefire [update], The fire is still around 1200 acres, is burning completely in Plumas County away from any populated areas in Butte County. Aircraft are flying the fire including the DC-10
— CAL FIRE Butte Unit/Butte County Fire Department (@CALFIRE_ButteCo) July 14, 2021
No containment has been reported, but Cal Fire reports it's burning north away from populated areas.
Town of Paradise officials say they are monitoring the fire closely, but it is currently not a threat to their area.
Flames smoldered trees and blanketed the sky with heavy smoke. The fire at times burned close to power lines.
Desmond David has lost his home twice to wildfires. First, in 2008, then again in 2018 during the Camp Fire, the deadliest and most destructive fire in state history.
"Don't worry about the small stuff," he said.
David is ready to leave at any moment, remembering how he barely made it out of the Camp Fire alive.
"When the winds come this way, then there's a lot to worry about," David said.
Daniel Bolds got an evacuation warning from the sheriff's office and says people left his neighborhood for safety, knowing the fire's path can change at any moment.
"Pay attention, if it scares you, back off. What else can you do?" he said.
Firefighters are continuing to battle the Beckwourth Complex Fire as well in Plumas and Lassen counties. That fire has now destroyed 33 homes in the small community of Doyle. The latest numbers show the fire has burned nearly 93,000 and is 46 percent contained.
One homeowner says he was unable to evacuate in time and actually rode out the fire.
"Hunkered down and lasted about maybe a minute, and then it went past me," said Bill Cuddy. "I couldn't believe I was still alive."
Despite dozens of homes burning, there are no reports of injuries.