A smoking ridge along the Lake Oroville shoreline shows hot spots still burning 24 hours after the fire blazed through. 

GRIDLEY, CA (MPG) - A week later, the Thompson Fire north of Oroville is finally 100% contained.

The fast-moving fire that started on July 2 and threatened heavily populated areas of Oroville/Kelly Ridge and burned right up to the Oroville Dam shut down power plants, caused evacuations, closed access to the lake and downstream recreation areas and cancelled Fourth of July firework shows, not only in Oroville but in other areas of Butte County.

Fire suppression efforts continued for days after the start of the Thompson fire. Aerial support seen here, dropped water on the charred area around the Oroville dam after the Thompson Fire tore through the area.

For days, large fire-suppression aircraft and helicopters were seen circling in the smoky skies as ground crews and dozers worked to get containment on the fire. Firefighters moved quickly on the blaze and called for support resources, many arriving from throughout the state.

On July 8, CAL FIRE (California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection) announced that the Thompson Fire had finally been knocked down.

CAL FIRE reported that 3,789 acres burned, 13 family residences were destroyed and five sustained damage.   Smaller “minor” structures were also affected and 13 smaller structures were destroyed.

CAL FIRE at press time reported two firefighters sustained injuries.

The Thompson Fire prompted closures to the Lake Oroville Recreation area, specifically boat ramps and camping sites in near proximity to the lake and downstream, such as closures to the Thermalito Forebay through the Fourth of July holiday.

Lake Oroville State Recreational Area (LOSRA) announced that Lake Oroville reopened to the public, including the campgrounds and day use areas.

In an online Facebook post, the Lake Oroville State Recreational Area states, “Spillway ramp and day use, Burma Road along the Diversion Pool, and the Brad Freeman and Dan Beebee trails to Canyon Drive will remain closed for an extended period for damage assessment and repairs.”

On July 5, Lake Oroville State Recreational Area announced the reopening of the North Forebay, with the potential that the parking lot could remain closed until firefighting equipment could be moved.