Search
The FOX Weather App Learn More
Fox Weather App on an iPhone, Fox Weather logo overlapping
Fox Weather live
Extreme Weather
Published Updated

Massive wildfire rages within historic California Gold Rush community as flames devour structures, landscape

According to the latest information from CAL FIRE, the 6-5 Wildfire in Tuolumne County grew rapidly and remains extremely active with no containment.

By Steven Yablonski Source FOX Weather
A video shared by the Tuolumne County Office of Emergency Services shows the 6-5 Fire raging within Chinese Camp in California. The census-designated community is the remnant of an historic California Gold Rush mining town.

Watch: Wildfire rages within historic California Gold Rush community

A video shared by the Tuolumne County Office of Emergency Services shows the 6-5 Fire raging within Chinese Camp in California. The census-designated community is the remnant of an historic California Gold Rush mining town.

CHINESE CAMP, Calif. – A massive wildfire raging within a historic California Gold Rush community has forced residents to flee their homes and seek safety as flames devour the landscape and structures.

According to the latest information from CAL FIRE, the 6-5 Wildfire in Tuolumne County grew rapidly and remains extremely active with no containment.

HOW TO WATCH FOX WEATHER

  • Structures are seen burning as the 6-5 Wildfire rages in California on Sept. 2, 2025.
    Image 1 of 11

    Structures are seen burning as the 6-5 Wildfire rages in California on Sept. 2, 2025. (Tuolumne County Office of Emergency Services/Facebook)

  • An airplane is seen dropping fire retardant on the 6-5 Wildfire in California on Sept. 2, 2025.
    Image 2 of 11

    An airplane is seen dropping fire retardant on the 6-5 Wildfire in California on Sept. 2, 2025. (Tuolumne County Office of Emergency Services/Facebook)

  • The 6-5 Wildfire in California is seen raging on Sept. 2, 2025.
    Image 3 of 11

    The 6-5 Wildfire in California is seen raging on Sept. 2, 2025. (Tuolumne County Office of Emergency Services/Facebook)

  • This image shows the 6-5 Wildfire burning in California on Sept. 2, 2025.
    Image 4 of 11

    This image shows the 6-5 Wildfire burning in California on Sept. 2, 2025. (Tuolumne County Office of Emergency Services/Facebook)

  • This image shows the 2-7 Wildfire burning in Calaveras County, California, on Sept. 2, 2025.
    Image 5 of 11

    This image shows the 2-7 Wildfire burning in Calaveras County, California, on Sept. 2, 2025. (KTXL)

  • This image shows a helicopter being used to help extinguish the 2-7 Wildfire burning in Calaveras County, California, on Sept. 2, 2025.
    Image 6 of 11

    This image shows a helicopter being used to help extinguish the 2-7 Wildfire burning in Calaveras County, California, on Sept. 2, 2025. (KTXL)

  • This image shows a helicopter being used to help extinguish the 2-7 Wildfire burning in Calaveras County, California, on Sept. 2, 2025.
    Image 7 of 11

    This image shows a helicopter being used to help extinguish the 2-7 Wildfire burning in Calaveras County, California, on Sept. 2, 2025. (KTXL)

  • This image shows a structure that was destroyed by flames from the 2-7 Wildfire burning in Calaveras County, California, on Sept. 2, 2025.
    Image 8 of 11

    This image shows a structure that was destroyed by flames from the 2-7 Wildfire burning in Calaveras County, California, on Sept. 2, 2025. (KTXL)

  • This image shows vehicles that were destroyed by flames from the 2-7 Wildfire burning in Calaveras County, California, on Sept. 2, 2025.
    Image 9 of 11

    This image shows vehicles that were destroyed by flames from the 2-7 Wildfire burning in Calaveras County, California, on Sept. 2, 2025. (KTXL)

  • This image shows firefighters working to extinguish the 2-7 Wildfire in Calaveras County, California, on Sept. 2, 2025.
    Image 10 of 11

    This image shows firefighters working to extinguish the 2-7 Wildfire in Calaveras County, California, on Sept. 2, 2025. ( )

  • This image shows a helicopter being used to help extinguish the 2-7 Wildfire burning in Calaveras County, California, on Sept. 2, 2025.
    Image 11 of 11

    This image shows a helicopter being used to help extinguish the 2-7 Wildfire burning in Calaveras County, California, on Sept. 2, 2025. (KTXL)

Officials said mandatory evacuations have been ordered, with "widespread warnings extending further."

Evacuations include Chinese Camp, which is an abandoned community that was once home to 5,000 Chinese miners, in addition to many Americans and Europeans.

"We currently have more than 40 members of our Tuolumne County Sheriff's Office team supporting operations on the 6-5 Fire," the Tuolumne County Sheriff's Office said in a Facebook post. "Deputies from Patrol, the Jail, and Animal Control are actively in the field, patrolling evacuated areas and assisting community members."

Lightning determined to be cause of California wildfires

 This graphic shows information on the 6-5 Wildfire in California.
(FOX Weather)

 

First responders in California have been battling several large wildfires that were determined to be sparked by lightning strikes, including the 6-5 Wildfire.

The 6-5 Wildfire has burned more than 6,000 acres so far and is 0% contained.

Crews are actively working to extinguish the flames from the ground as well as from the air.

This graphic shows all of the lightning strikes that impacted California on Tuesday, Sept. 2, 2025.

This graphic shows all the lightning strikes that impacted California on Tuesday, Sept. 2, 2025.

(FOX Weather)

However, several large wildfires were reported to have ignited on Tuesday, and CAL FIRE is now referring to the entire situation as the Tuolumne Calaveras Unit (TCU) September Lightning Fire Complex.

Currently, fires are raging within Tuolumne and Calaveras counties in Central California, and numerous evacuations have been ordered as a result.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom on Tuesday provided information on the blazes and said federal assistance has been secured for resources to beat back the flames.

"We are securing all available resources — including support from our federal partners — to fight this growing lightning complex fire in Calaveras and Tuolumne counties."  - California Gov. Gavin Newsom

Newsom said that the Golden State secured a Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG) from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to help ensure the availability of vital resources needed to suppress the 2-7 fire within the TCU September Lightning Complex Fire burning in Calaveras and Tuolumne counties.

Newsom said the fires broke out after more than 9,000 lightning strikes occurred on Tuesday.

A video shared by KTXL shows the 2-7 Wildfire burning in Calaveras County on Sept. 2, 2025.

Watch: California's 2-7 Wildfire rages in Calaveras County

A video shared by KTXL shows the 2-7 Wildfire burning in Calaveras County on Sept. 2, 2025.

As of Tuesday, Newsom said more than 300 residents were told to flee, and shelters have been opened as a result. In addition, more than 1,400 residents were told to prepare to evacuate, if needed.

According to the latest update from CAL FIRE, the 2-7 Wildfire is burning within Calaveras County and has so far scorched nearly 600 acres.

A video shared by KTXL shows crews working to extinguish the 2-7 Wildfire, as well as burned cars and buildings on Sept. 2, 2025.

Watch: Crews battle 2-7 Wildfire burning in Calaveras County, California

A video shared by KTXL shows crews working to extinguish the 2-7 Wildfire, as well as burned cars and buildings on Sept. 2, 2025.

Evacuation orders and warnings are also in effect there, and crews are working to extinguish the blaze from the ground and from the air.

Refresh this page and download the free FOX Weather app for updates on this breaking news story.

Tags
Loading...