California Governor Jerry Brown was forced to declare a state of emergency in three Northern California counties, including Shasta and Tehama counties, on Wednesday (August 22, 2012) after a wildfire threatened to consume hundreds of homes and commercial buildings in several small towns.
The Ponderosa fire, which was caused by lightening, has burned 27,978 acres and destroyed 84 structures, the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection reports.
Dry conditions in the area have allowed the fire to spread. Firefighters contained 57 percent of the wildfire as of Thursday, the department's website said.
Evacuations are still in place for parts of Manton, Shingleton, Viola and Mineral, including parts of Highway 44 and Highway 36. Evacuation warnings have also been issued for residents near Highway 36 from Oasis Springs Road to and including Mineral, Ponderosa Sky Ranch and Lassen Lodge.
The Los Angeles Times reported that about 2,500 firefights, equipped with bulldozers and helicopters, were battling the wildfire located about 170 miles north of Sacramento. The department stated that 900 homes, 10 commercial properties and 30 outbuildings remain threatened.
California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection spokesperson Daniel Berlant told the Los Angeles Times that firefighters "definitely have to be prepared" for the busy fire season that's expected. California has seen 1,400 more wildfires this year than last year during the same period.
Fire officials do not expect to contain the Ponderosa fire until next week depending on weather conditions, the Times reported.
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