Evacuations remain in effect after a series of fires sparked by lightning started in two Northern California counties.While Cal Fire, the state’s fire management agency, has not confirmed the number of structures damaged or destroyed, KCRA 3 was able to visually confirm several structures either destroyed or damaged in the historic Tuolumne County gold mining community of Chinese Camp.Cal Fire, in a Wednesday morning report, said a damage inspection team is on order.TCU September Lightning Complex acreage, containmentThe series of fires, grouped together by Cal Fire as the TCU September Lightning Complex, has collectively burned at least 13,371 acres as of 1:26 p.m. That’s up from the 11,977 acres reported at 7:42 earlier Wednesday morning. At least 16 fires comprise this complex. Of the 16, the two most threatening ones are the so-called 6-5 Fire in Tuolumne County that sparked near the Don Pedro Reservoir and the 2-7 Fire that started along Six Mile Road near the Vallecito area in Calaveras County. Cal Fire listed the cause of both fires as lightning.Both of those fires are among many given similar names after thousands of lightning strikes hit parts of the Central Valley, Sacramento Valley, and the Foothills. Gov. Gavin Newsom’s office on Tuesday afternoon said that in the first two days of September, California had recorded 9,619 lightning strikes.On Wednesday, the governor’s press office said it announced the state secured a Fire Management Assistance Grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency. The state plans to use that funding to ensure enough resources are being put toward the 2-7 Fire.TCU September Lightning Complex evacuations, shelter informationEvacuation orders and warnings are in place for both the 2-7 and 6-5 portions of the complex. With evacuation orders, you are lawfully required to immediately leave. You are not required to leave under a warning but are recommended to be ready to do so in case conditions become dangerous.See an interactive map below for evacuation orders and warnings in Calaveras County for 2-7.Find a map of evacuations in Tuolumne County for 6-5 here. We also have them listed below.6-5 evacuation ordersChinese Camp TownSix Bit Ranch RoadSix Bit Gulch RoadRed Hill RoadDon Pedrro Dam RoadOld Don Pedro Dam RoadMenkee Hess RoadAll roads East of Highway 108 from Junction 59 to Highway 49Both sides of highway 120 from Chinese Camp to Highway 120 BridgeRojoShawmut Road6-5 evacuation warningsAll Areas from Bell Mooney & Jacksonville RoadWest to Highway 49 and Highway 108 South to Old Jacksonville RoadShelter informationEvacuees seeking shelter or looking for a place to take their animals can go to the following locations based on county.Calaveras CountyBret Harte High School: 323 South Main Street, Altaville, CA 95221Calaveras County Fairgrounds Livestock Evacuation Center (Livestock only): 101 Frogtown Road, Angels Camp, CA 95222Small, domestic pets can also be taken to Bret Harte High SchoolTuolumne CountySonora Senior Center: 540 Greenley Road, Sonora, CA 95370Pets are allowed at the Sonora Senior Center, and animal control is on scene assistingTCU September Lightning Complex conditionsCal Fire said about 630 personnel are battling the series of fires. It anticipates additional ground and air resources will head to the fire lines to assist, according to a report from Wednesday morning.The fire has been actively burning tall grass, brush and timber fuels, and the terrain is difficult to access, leading crews to hike by foot to many remote locations. Cal Fire said.The KCRA 3 weather team anticipates more thunderstorm activity in the Sierra, especially south of Tahoe, on Wednesday.As of Wednesday, there is no known containment around the fire. Containment measures how much of a perimeter crews have established around a burn area to help prevent flames from continuing to spread. It does not actually measure how much of a fire has been extinguished.Chinese Camp damageBelow are some aerials by LiveCopter 3 on Tuesday that show how the fire ravaged the historic gold mining town.On Wednesday morning during the 6 a.m. newscast, KCRA 3’s Mike TeSelle was at Chinese Camp and noted that fire activity had moderated in comparison to conditions on Tuesday. However, there is still a lot of work to be done in extinguishing the flames.TeSelle also noted that among the buildings destroyed is the town’s historic post office, which has been standing since 1854. See when TeSelle featured Chinese Camp in his Explore Outdoors series in the video below.Aerial aftermathLiveCopter 3 returned to Chinese Camp on Wednesday afternoon to survey more of the damage.Several structures can be seen entirely leveled to the ground, but some buildings can be seen intact.Between Highway 120 and Red Hills Road, some houses appear to be undamaged. Varying factors can play into why some buildings don’t catch fire, such as proper defensible space, or erratic fire behavior.Of note, there was a logging company that appears to have been spared by the flames. Even though much of the fire appears extinguished, a lot of smoke still lingers above Chinese Camp. This is common when large areas of land burn and hotspots remain.Air quality in parts of Northern California is also experiencing unhealthier levels. Check air quality in your area with the interactive map below.This is a developing story. Stay with KCRA 3 as we work to gather more details.| MORE | A 2025 guide for how to prepare for wildfires in California | Northern California wildfire resources by county: Find evacuation info, sign up for alertsCal Fire wildfire incidents: Cal Fire tracks its wildfire incidents here. 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ANGELS CAMP, Calif. —
Evacuations remain in effect after a series of fires sparked by lightning started in two Northern California counties.
While Cal Fire, the state’s fire management agency, has not confirmed the number of structures damaged or destroyed, KCRA 3 was able to visually confirm several structures either destroyed or damaged in the historic Tuolumne County gold mining community of Chinese Camp.
Cal Fire, in a Wednesday morning report, said a damage inspection team is on order.
TCU September Lightning Complex acreage, containment
The series of fires, grouped together by Cal Fire as the TCU September Lightning Complex, has collectively burned at least 13,371 acres as of 1:26 p.m. That’s up from the 11,977 acres reported at 7:42 earlier Wednesday morning.
At least 16 fires comprise this complex. Of the 16, the two most threatening ones are the so-called 6-5 Fire in Tuolumne County that sparked near the Don Pedro Reservoir and the 2-7 Fire that started along Six Mile Road near the Vallecito area in Calaveras County. Cal Fire listed the cause of both fires as lightning.
Both of those fires are among many given similar names after thousands of lightning strikes hit parts of the Central Valley, Sacramento Valley, and the Foothills. Gov. Gavin Newsom’s office on Tuesday afternoon said that in the first two days of September, California had recorded 9,619 lightning strikes.
On Wednesday, the governor’s press office said it announced the state secured a Fire Management Assistance Grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency. The state plans to use that funding to ensure enough resources are being put toward the 2-7 Fire.
TCU September Lightning Complex evacuations, shelter information
Evacuation orders and warnings are in place for both the 2-7 and 6-5 portions of the complex. With evacuation orders, you are lawfully required to immediately leave. You are not required to leave under a warning but are recommended to be ready to do so in case conditions become dangerous.
See an interactive map below for evacuation orders and warnings in Calaveras County for 2-7.
Find a map of evacuations in Tuolumne County for 6-5 here. We also have them listed below.
6-5 evacuation orders
Chinese Camp TownSix Bit Ranch RoadSix Bit Gulch RoadRed Hill RoadDon Pedrro Dam RoadOld Don Pedro Dam RoadMenkee Hess RoadAll roads East of Highway 108 from Junction 59 to Highway 49Both sides of highway 120 from Chinese Camp to Highway 120 BridgeRojoShawmut Road
6-5 evacuation warnings
All Areas from Bell Mooney & Jacksonville RoadWest to Highway 49 and Highway 108 South to Old Jacksonville Road
Shelter information
Evacuees seeking shelter or looking for a place to take their animals can go to the following locations based on county.
Calaveras County
Bret Harte High School: 323 South Main Street, Altaville, CA 95221Calaveras County Fairgrounds Livestock Evacuation Center (Livestock only): 101 Frogtown Road, Angels Camp, CA 95222Small, domestic pets can also be taken to Bret Harte High School
Tuolumne County
Sonora Senior Center: 540 Greenley Road, Sonora, CA 95370Pets are allowed at the Sonora Senior Center, and animal control is on scene assistingTCU September Lightning Complex conditions
Cal Fire said about 630 personnel are battling the series of fires. It anticipates additional ground and air resources will head to the fire lines to assist, according to a report from Wednesday morning.
The fire has been actively burning tall grass, brush and timber fuels, and the terrain is difficult to access, leading crews to hike by foot to many remote locations. Cal Fire said.
The KCRA 3 weather team anticipates more thunderstorm activity in the Sierra, especially south of Tahoe, on Wednesday.
As of Wednesday, there is no known containment around the fire. Containment measures how much of a perimeter crews have established around a burn area to help prevent flames from continuing to spread. It does not actually measure how much of a fire has been extinguished.
Chinese Camp damage
Below are some aerials by LiveCopter 3 on Tuesday that show how the fire ravaged the historic gold mining town.
On Wednesday morning during the 6 a.m. newscast, KCRA 3’s Mike TeSelle was at Chinese Camp and noted that fire activity had moderated in comparison to conditions on Tuesday. However, there is still a lot of work to be done in extinguishing the flames.
TeSelle also noted that among the buildings destroyed is the town’s historic post office, which has been standing since 1854. See when TeSelle featured Chinese Camp in his Explore Outdoors series in the video below.
Aerial aftermath
LiveCopter 3 returned to Chinese Camp on Wednesday afternoon to survey more of the damage.
Several structures can be seen entirely leveled to the ground, but some buildings can be seen intact.
Between Highway 120 and Red Hills Road, some houses appear to be undamaged. Varying factors can play into why some buildings don’t catch fire, such as proper defensible space, or erratic fire behavior.
Of note, there was a logging company that appears to have been spared by the flames.
Even though much of the fire appears extinguished, a lot of smoke still lingers above Chinese Camp. This is common when large areas of land burn and hotspots remain.
Air quality in parts of Northern California is also experiencing unhealthier levels. Check air quality in your area with the interactive map below.
This is a developing story. Stay with KCRA 3 as we work to gather more details.
| MORE | A 2025 guide for how to prepare for wildfires in California | Northern California wildfire resources by county: Find evacuation info, sign up for alerts
See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app | Subscribe to our morning newsletter | Find us on YouTube here and subscribe to our channel