Lightning started wildfires that destroyed historic gold rush town in California
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A series of lightning-sparked wildfires tore through Northern California this week, triggering mass evacuations and leaving a trail of destruction across Tuolumne and Calaveras counties, according to CAL FIRE.
Among the hardest-hit areas was the remote village of Chinese Camp, a historic Gold Rush-era town with deep Chinese immigrant roots.
The blaze, part of the TCU September Lightning Complex and known locally as the 6-5 Fire, erupted after a barrage of dry lightning strikes—more than 17,000 in a single night—ignited over 20 wildfires across the region. Chinese Camp, home to fewer than 100 residents, was nearly leveled.
A Town Steeped in History, Reduced to Ash
Dozens of homes were destroyed in and around Chinese Camp, according to Reuters journalists on the scene. The fire also gutted two historic buildings, including a 19th-century stagecoach stop, and scorched a hilltop cemetery that dates back to the Gold Rush. Miraculously, the town’s church—established in 1854—remained untouched1.
“This place is a living museum,” said Randall Hoffman, a local resident. “Now it looks like Armageddon. I think we lost 95% of the town”.
Chinese Camp was originally settled by thousands of Chinese laborers in the mid-1800s, many of whom were driven out of nearby camps by discriminatory laws and violence. The town became a symbol of resilience and cultural heritage in California’s Gold Country.
Evacuations and Firefighting Efforts
Cal Fire reported that more than 600 personnel have been deployed to battle the blazes, which have consumed over 13,000 acres across the two counties. Evacuation orders remain in effect for Chinese Camp and surrounding communities, with shelters set up in nearby towns3.
The fire’s intensity and speed caught many residents off guard. Leonard Martin, who stayed behind to defend his home, described the moment the flames arrived: “We thought we were gonna die... we knew we were gonna die”. Martin and his neighbor used garden hoses to save several homes before firefighters arrived.
Recovery Begins
Cleanup efforts are now underway, with PG&E working to restore power and the Red Cross providing aid to displaced residents. Cal Fire’s damage assessment team has confirmed 85 structures destroyed and six damaged across nearly 14,000 acres4.
For survivors, the road ahead is daunting. “We’re working on getting people back in here,” said Cal Fire spokesperson Toni Davis. “All of our efforts are starting to work toward getting people home”.
Photo Credit: The Chinese Camp, California Elementary School architecture echos the Gold Rush days when the area was populated primarily by immigrant miners from China.
Date: 22 June 2014
Travels through California Gold Rush country.
Author: Auragoneboy
Read more:
https://abcnews.go.com/US/historic-california-gold-rush-town-devastated/story?id=125252237
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/photos-wildfire-california-gold-rush-chinese-camp-6-5-fire/