BTU Complex: still causing evacuations

The BTU (or Butte County) Complex east of Chico and adjacent to Paradise is still actively burning and creating the need for more evacuations. Two additional "immediate threat evacuation" notices were issued this morning for some areas within Paradise. The fire is 48,800 acres and is 50% contained.

Wildfire Today just received a report from someone in Paradise who said the area is socked in with smoke allowing very little use of aircraft, but he did see one air tanker working the area this morning. For the last few days, the fire has been pushed by a north component wind, but he said now there is south wind, which is slowing the spread on the south side. A nighttime inversion lifted late last the night allowing some increased fire activity. The fire still has not crossed the river just east of Paradise.

Here is a map from the CalFire web site updated yesterday. Click on it or the link to see a larger version.



Thanks to Joel for the tip.