A hospital in Paradise, California, evacuated its patients as the Camp Fire, which was sparked early Thursday, got uncomfortably close.
"Given the Butte County fire is within close proximity, as a precaution Adventist Health Feather River Medical Center is evacuating all patients. All patients are being transported to surrounding area hospitals," a statement said.
The Camp Fire began about 6:33 a.m. and within three hours had burned about 5,000 acres, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection.
Multiple roads are closed as a result of the blaze.
The Butte County Sheriff's Office issued evacuation orders and warnings for numerous fire zones in the area.
A red flag warning is in effect in the area, meaning Thursday will bring strong winds and low humidity that threaten to spread the wildfire.
Paradise is located about 85 miles north of Sacramento, just west of the Plumas National Forest.
The chamber of commerce in nearby Chico said The Neighborhood Church was being set up as an evacuation center.
Dangerous fire weather conditions will continue on Day 2/Friday across southern CA. Some improvement across northern CA where #CampFire is currently burning, as wind speeds diminish, but dryness continues. See https://t.co/QMmU4tBZDt for more details. pic.twitter.com/ltHci9zZGj
— NWS SPC (@NWSSPC) November 8, 2018