Thompson fire spreads in Oroville, California – in pictures
Fire crews in California are battling a wildfire in Butte County that forced about 13,000 people to evacuate in and around Oroville. The Thompson fire broke out before noon on Tuesday and grew to more than 3 sq miles by evening
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People evacuate as the Thompson fire rages in Oroville, California. A heatwave is sending temperatures soaring, resulting in red flag fire warnings throughout the state
Photograph: Ethan Swope/AP
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A fire truck rushes to the scene
Photograph: Ethan Swope/AP
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An air tanker drops fire retardant over a home. California has had a series of spring and early summer wildfires feeding on abundant grasses spawned by wet winters
Photograph: Josh Edelson/AFP/Getty Images
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Law enforcement officers watch as the fire burns over Lake Oroville
Photograph: Josh Edelson/AFP/Getty Images
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A home is engulfed in flames. California’s heatwave is expected to spread from north to south over the week, with the worst of it focused on interior areas including the Sacramento and San Joaquin valleys and the southern deserts
Photograph: Stephen Lam/AP
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A helicopter shines a light over the fire as it burns around Lake Oroville
Photograph: Josh Edelson/AFP/Getty Images
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Goats look on as flames approach a home
Photograph: Josh Edelson/AFP/Getty Images
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A helicopter drops water in an effort to contain the fire
Photograph: Josh Edelson/AFP/Getty Images
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A vehicle is engulfed in flames. The heat arrived with gusty, dry winds in the northern part of the state, where public safety power shutoffs have been imposed in parts of 10 counties to prevent fires being ignited by downed or damaged electrical wires
Photograph: Ethan Swope/AP
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A motorist flees as flames engulf a road
Photograph: Ethan Swope/AP
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Flames leap above an emergency vehicle on Canyon Drive
Photograph: Noah Berger/AP
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A helicopter drops water as the fire spreads. High pressure will linger over California for at least a week, according to the Bay Area weather office
Photograph: Ethan Swope/AP
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A firefighter works to protect homes
Photograph: Ethan Swope/AP
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Flames engulf a home. Authorities have yet to say how many properties were destroyed.
Photograph: Josh Edelson/AFP/Getty Images
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Firefighters work to stop the spread of the fire. The governor’s office has announced that federal funding has been approved to help with firefighting efforts
Photograph: Ethan Swope/AP
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Flames engulfs another property. Forecasters say the conditions are caused by a ridge of high pressure just off the west coast and a separate ridge that has prompted heat warnings and advisories from Kansas and Missouri to the Gulf coast states
Photograph: Josh Edelson/AFP/Getty Images
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Flames consume vehicles in Oroville
Photograph: Noah Berger/AP
