 were able to go home, according to Butte County officials. Previous reports of 26,000 being under orders or warnings were inaccurate, adding that the fire has unfolded so quickly it's been difficult to get firm figures. The Thompson fire broke out Tuesday about 70 miles north of Sacramento, sending up a huge plume of smoke that could be seen from space. That fire had burned 5.9 square miles up from 5.5 miles earlier Thursday.