Chinese Camp: A cluster of lightning-sparked wildfires raged across parts of Tuolumne and Calaveras counties in Northern California on September 4, forcing widespread evacuations and devastating parts of the historic Gold Rush-era town of Chinese Camp, once home to thousands of Chinese immigrants.
According to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CalFire), nearly two dozen blazes ignited by a lightning storm, collectively known as the TCU September Lightning Complex fires, have burned through more than 13,000 acres (5,261 hectares) of dry grass, brush, and timber, with winds fanning the flames and accelerating their spread.
The small community of Chinese Camp, located in the western foothills of the Sierra Nevada and home to fewer than 100 residents, was among the hardest hit. Reports say that dozens of homes in and around the town were destroyed.
Over 110,000 lightning strikes during the month of August sparked 534 lightning-caused wildfires — yet only 5 (1%) grew beyond 10 acres. CAL FIRE continues to meet its goal of containing 95% of fires to 10 acres or less.
We are currently seeing increased fire activity due to… pic.twitter.com/v3AnjBuvDs— CAL FIRE Chief (@CALFIRE_CHIEF) September 3, 2025
Two historic buildings, including a former stagecoach stop, were reduced to rubble, while flames also scorched a hilltop cemetery. Remarkably, the nearby church, first established in 1854, remained intact, CalFire spokesperson Jaime Williams confirmed.
Three other prominent landmarks, the Chinese Camp Store and Tavern, the town’s post office, and its distinctive pagoda-style public school, were spared from the fire’s destruction, Williams added.
Evacuation orders remained in place for the entire town of Chinese Camp as well as several nearby communities in Tuolumne and Calaveras counties. More than 600 firefighting personnel were deployed to contain the fast-moving blazes. While the full extent of property losses and displacements has yet to be determined, there were no immediate reports of injuries or fatalities.
Governor Gavin Newsom emphasized the seriousness of the situation, and noted that, “We are securing all available resources, including support from our federal partners, to fight this growing lightning complex fire in Calaveras and Tuolumne counties.”
To support displaced residents, at least two evacuation shelters were opened, along with facilities for livestock and smaller domestic pets. Meanwhile, electricity crews worked extensively to restore power after the wildfires damaged utility poles, transformers, and overhead lines.
The TCU September Lightning Complex fires were recorded as the largest among roughly a dozen wildfire incidents across California. Despite the extensive damage, they remain far less destructive than the catastrophic Los Angeles wildfires earlier in January, which claimed at least 31 lives and destroyed nearly 16,000 homes.
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