The Apache Fire as seen from the Rattlesnake Peak AlertCalifornia camera
The Apache Fire in Butte County has rapidly expanded from 30 acres to 466 acres in just two hours, authorities reported this evening, Monday, June 24, 2024.
The blaze, which ignited around 7:26 p.m. on the 300 block of Apache Hill Road in Oroville, quickly spread from grass to brush, reaching a critical rate of spread.
Initial reports estimated the fire at 30 acres, but it swiftly grew, threatening structures within five minutes, according to Air Attack. Evacuation orders and warnings have been issued for residents in and around Oroville.
Authorities have requested one night-capable helitanker and three night-capable Type 1 helicopters to aid in battling the rapidly spreading Apache Fire in Butte County.
Further details and specific evacuation information are available on the Butte County Sheriff’s website and their Facebook page.
Mendocino County has dispatched a strike team consisting of multiple engines to assist in combating the Apache Fire. Incident Command has indicated that the fire, now 465 acres, has the potential to grow to 800 acres overnight.
As of publication, scanner traffic indicates that spot fires upwards of ten acres in size are fueling the spread of the Apache Fire with reports that dozers to begin containment lines still over an hour away from the incident.
Multiple cameras from AlertCalifornia offer a live view of the Apache Fire this evening depicting towering flames including mountaintop cameras on Paynes Peak, La Porte, and Rattlesnake Peak.
UPDATE 10:03 p.m.: Another round of evacuation orders have been issued specified by CAL FIRE Butte County specific to Zones:865, 866, 868, 869. For more information about the specifics of the evacuation orders and warnings.
Zeke Lunder, a wildfire technology specialist that we follow, reports that the fire spread over two miles in the first two hours.
UPDATE 10:19 p.m.: The Incident Commander is reporting a structure on fire on Katie Court.
UPDATE 10:22 p.m.: Cal Fire Butte County reports, “#ApacheFire update: 650 + acres with two spot fires roughly 50 acres combined. “
UPDATE 10:42 p.m.: Scanner traffic indicates that authorities have been alerted to a person trapped in the 200 block of Dustin Lane.
UPDATE 12:39 a.m.: CALFIRE has just released their report on the incident so far (Note: two structures have been destroyed):
Please remember that this story is unfolding. Information is being reported as we gather it. However, some of the information coming from witnesses and initial official reports could be wrong. We will do our best to get the facts but, in the case that something is inaccurate, we will update with correct information as soon as we can.
