A new wildfire, caused by a lightning strike, has rapidly spread through the historic California Gold Rush town of Chinese Camp, destroying homes and forcing evacuations. The blaze, known as the 6-5 Fire, is one of several blazes that erupted on Tuesday across California. According to Fox News, this particular fire has already expanded to 10 square miles (26 sq km) and has zero containment as of early Wednesday.
CalFire, the state’s main fire agency, reported that at least five homes in the rural town have been burned. This is a mix of freestanding and mobile homes. The fire is part of a larger group of blazes called the TCU September Lightning Complex, which has now burned more than 19 square miles (50 sq km) across multiple locations in both Calaveras and Tuolumne counties.
While there have been no immediate reports of deaths or injuries, the fire has prompted the complete evacuation of Chinese Camp and the surrounding highways. It’s a devastating situation for a town with such a rich history. The town was founded in 1850 by Chinese miners who had been forced out of a nearby camp due to persecution and a hefty Foreign Miners Tax. Originally named Camp Washington, its name was quickly changed to reflect the thousands of people who settled there.
California’s newest fire is blazing through miles
While California is known for its wildfires, this fire’s spread has been incredibly fast. On Tuesday evening, seven people were seen desperately trying to save a home by moving large tree branches and shoveling sand to stop the fire from spreading from a neighboring house. They worked for about 30 minutes until firefighters arrived.
Despite their efforts, an RV on the property was still damaged. Fire officials have had to request additional resources, including fire engines, bulldozers, and an aircraft, to help combat the blaze. The fact that they have to request more equipment shows just how out of control this fire is.
NEW: A quick-moving wildfire burned homes in a historic Northern California Gold Rush town, and the blaze has grown to more than 12,400 acres without containment. https://t.co/znWhnump4C pic.twitter.com/XvHLt56Y1V
— NBC Bay Area (@nbcbayarea) September 3, 2025
This situation is a sobering reminder of the destructive power of wildfires, especially in dry conditions. The residents of Chinese Camp are now left to wonder what will happen to their historic town, and if they will even have a home to go back to. It’s hard to imagine what it must feel like to watch your home and your town being consumed by a fire that nobody can stop.
To be fair, the firefighters are doing everything they can, but a lack of resources and the sheer speed of the fire seem to have created a situation that is much more severe than what they are used to. As of now, the forecast for the next few days isn’t looking great, and the fire will likely continue to spread unless something changes.
For anyone living in the area, it’s a terrifying time. It’s time to keep a close eye on the news and on any evacuation orders, as this fire could spread to other locations. Hopefully, firefighters can gain some containment soon and bring this situation under control before more damage is done.
