Historic Gold Rush town of Chinese Camp suffers major losses in 6-5 Fire

The 6-5 Fire started on September 2 near Old Don Pedro Road and Big Cree Court, south of Jamestown, Tuolumne County, after a series of lightning strikes associated with dry thunderstorms.

First responders in California have been battling several large wildfires that were determined to be sparked by lightning strikes on September 2, including the 6-5 Fire.

According to CAL FIRE, the 6-5 Fire has destroyed at least five homes in the historic Gold Rush-era settlement of Chinese Camp, with additional structures damaged. The fire has burned over 2 400 ha (6 000 acres) of land in the Tuolumne County as of September 3.

The fire is part of the larger TCU September Lightning Complex, which has burned approximately 5 000 ha (12 160 acres) across Tuolumne and Calaveras counties. No injuries or fatalities have been reported.

Mandatory evacuation orders remain in place, with shelters established in Altaville at Bret Harte High School and in Sonora at the Sonora Senior Center. Both facilities accept evacuees with pets, supported by county animal control. The Tuolumne County Sheriff’s Office deployed more than 40 personnel to assist with evacuations and security.

Firefighting operations are challenged by low humidity, gusty winds, and downed power lines. The National Interagency Fire Center has designated the region at “high risk” due to ongoing drought conditions.

Governor Gavin Newsom confirmed that California secured a Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG) from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to support suppression efforts.

Wildfires broke out in the region after over 9 000 lightning strikes on September 2. According to Newsom, over 300 residents were told to flee, and shelters have been opened as a result. In addition, more than 1 400 residents were told to prepare to evacuate, if needed.

The fire has historical significance, as Chinese Camp, once home to more than 5 000 Chinese miners in the mid-19^th century, suffered the loss of several historic and residential structures. Local historians emphasized the impact on cultural heritage, describing the destruction of historic buildings as irreversible.

Rishav Kothari

I am an Assistant Editor and Severe Weather & Science Journalist at The Watchers, specializing in real-time severe weather coverage, geophysical event reporting, and research-driven scientific analysis. You can reach me at rishav(at)watchers(.)news.

• Rishav Kothari

  Tropical Storm Amanda forms as the first named storm of the 2026 eastern Pacific hurricane season
• Rishav Kothari

  Severe Tropical Storm Jangmi leaves 23 injured, 60 000 without power after landfall in Wakayama, Japan
• Rishav Kothari

  Tornadoes touch down near Bridgewater, Wall Lake, and Centerville, South Dakota
• Rishav Kothari

  Deep M6.2 earthquake hits west of Calabria, Italy