Most evacuation orders lifted as crews continue battling Northern California wildfire

OROVILLE, Calif. (AP) — Officials say thousands of people evacuated during a Northern California wildfire have been allowed to return home. A spokesperson for Butte County says the vast majority of people were able to go home Thursday afternoon. The Thompson Fire near the city of Oroville has stayed roughly the same size since Wednesday but containment increased to 29% Thursday. About 17,000 people were under evacuation orders or warnings earlier Thursday. The state is seeing more wildfire activity at this point in the year than in recent years.