Oroville reflects on emergency preparedness after Thompson Fire containment

OROVILLE, Calif. — KRCR spoke with the City of Oroville Mayor, David Pittma, about how the city is reflecting on its emergency preparedness after the 3,800-acre Thompson Fire reached 98% containment on Sunday.

RELATED ARTICLE | Nearly 2,000 firefighters battle the Thompson Fire amid scorching heat

Wildfires are nothing new for the Northstate, even when you are prepared disasters can still have devastating impacts. The Thompson fire destroyed 13 homes, and 13 other minor structures, and damaged 8 others, according to fire officials.

Pittman told KRCR that fire and disaster preparedness is a large part of what city officials work to have set in place.

Pittman said when the Thompson Fire broke out, local officials, resources, and community members sprung into action almost better than planned. “The key here was people were prepared and paid attention and that's very responsible and we appreciate all those efforts.” Pittman continued, “So many people were not just involved in this fire incident we had some others simultaneously going on. So now It takes time to relax.”

Pittman added that he wants to acknowledge those in the community who not only prepared their home with the required defensible space but also those who followed evacuation notifications while communicating with city officials. It was a team effort to ensure everyone's safety, which Pittman says is the reason no lives were lost in the Thompson Fire.

The City of Oroville is working to provide resources and assistance to fire victims and those who lost their homes.