Pentz Fire erupts in Butte County, sparks evacuation warnings

A vegetation fire, named the Pentz Fire, broke out in Butte County on Friday afternoon. It was burning off Pentz Road near Lindenbaum Lane in lower Paradise. By 2:28 p.m., at least 20 acres had already been consumed by the flames. An evacuation warning was issued for residents in Zone 461 due to the fire’s proximity. This zone covers the area east of Dry Creek Road, extending to the west branch of Lake Oroville. It runs from the intersection of Arden Way and Pentz Road north to the intersection of Pentz Road and Messilla Valley Road. People in these warned areas were advised to prepare to leave immediately.

By 3:04 p.m., firefighters had managed to halt the fire’s forward progress, according to Cal Fire. The cause of the Pentz Fire remained unknown at the time. The incident brought back memories of the devastating Camp Fire in 2018, which killed 85 people and destroyed over 18,000 structures in Paradise. That blaze was sparked by faulty Pacific Gas and Electric power lines. The Pentz Fire posed a serious threat to nearby communities. Fire crews worked quickly to contain its spread. Residents in Zone 461 stayed on alert as authorities monitored the situation closely.