A 19,000+ acre lightning-sparked brushfire near Sacramento has destroyed at seven structures.
The Ponderosa Fire started this weekend about 170 miles north of Sacramento - and is already 35% contained.
"You could see the glow from the fire and you could see the smoke - like a mushroom cloud - almost like a bomb going off," says evacuee Michelle Patience.
Evacuations for the following areas in Manton, Shingletown & Viola:
Forward Rd at Graham to the C Line
Forward Mill Rd from Rock Creek Rd to Forward Camp Rd
Rock Creek Rd from Manton Rd to Long Hay Flat Rd
All of Long Hay Flat Rd and Woodcutter Way
Southside of Highway 44 from Viola to Brush Oak
Northside of Hwy 44 from Viola to Alward
Hazen Rd area and South Power House Rd south of Manton
Hwy 44 at Brush Oak east to and including Viola, Plateau Pines, Starlight Pines and Lake McCumber area
South side of Hwy 44 from Viola to Brush Oak and on the north side of Hwy 44 from Viola to Alward.
Evacuation warnings have been issued for Hwy 36 from Ponderosa Sky Ranch to Lassen Lodge communities.
Manton School, Black Butte School in Shingletown, and Plum Valley Elementary School in Paynes Creek have been closed until further notice.
The public can stay up to date on the Ponderosa Fire by visiting the CAL FIRE website at www.fire.ca.gov or on twitter @CAL_FIRE.
The Red Cross has opened up an Evacuation Shelter at Big League Dreams - 20155 Viking Way - Redding.
