A fast-moving wildfire ravaged homes in a historic California Gold Rush town, originally settled around 1850 by Chinese miners who had been ousted from a nearby camp, as it continued to spread unchecked on Wednesday.
The blaze quickly grew to 10 square miles (26 square kilometers), prompting the evacuation of Chinese Camp Town and surrounding roadways on Tuesday, as reported by CalFire, California’s primary fire agency. Fortunately, there have been no reports of injuries or fatalities.
This wildfire is one among several, known collectively as the TCU September Lightning Complex, which has consumed over 19 square miles (50 square kilometers) across various locations in Calaveras and Tuolumne counties by early Wednesday, with no progress in containment.
At least five homes were burning in the rural town, which has a mix of freestanding and mobile homes.
On Tuesday evening, outside a particular home, seven individuals swiftly cleared large tree branches and doused sand onto the flames to prevent the fire from spreading to the neighboring house. They continued their efforts for about 30 minutes until firefighters arrived. The fire managed to damage an RV on the property.
Fire officials have requested additional resources such as fire engines, dozers and an aircraft.
According to CalFire, the 6-5 Fire, as it’s identified, was ignited by a lightning strike. This incident is one of over a dozen fires that erupted across California on Tuesday.
During the Gold Rush, thousands of Chinese immigrants came to California but faced severe discrimination, including high taxes aimed at forcing them away from mining.
Chinese Camp Town, about 57 miles (92 kilometers) east of Stockton, was settled by Chinese miners after they were driven out of a nearby camp, according to Visit Tuolumne County. Originally called Camp Washington, its name was soon changed to reflect the thousands of people from China who settled there.
