The historic gold rush town of Chinese Camp, California, has been devastated by one of multiple lightning-sparked wildfires in three Northern California counties that have burned nearly 14,000 acres combined and left at least one firefighter injured, authorities said.
More than 20 wildfires in Calaveras County and neighboring Stanislaus and Tuolumne counties, where Chinese Camp is located, began on Tuesday night, when more than 17,000 dry lightning strikes hit the area, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire). The blazes are part of what Cal Fire has named the TCU Lightning Complex Fire.
As of Thursday, the fires combined had burned 13,790 acres, destroyed multiple structures and prompted evacuations in Calaveras, Tuolumne and Stanislaus counties, according to Cal Fire. The fire was 15% contained on Wednesday night, but there were individual fires within the TCU Lightning Complex Fire that remain 0% contained.
A firefighter was injured Thursday morning while battling the TCU Lightning Complex Fire when a fire engine overturned along a road in the fire zone, according to Cal Fire. The injured firefighter was taken to a local medical facility for evaluation, but the firefighter’s condition was not immediately disclosed. No other injuries were reported in the incident and the cause of the accident was under investigation…