Ponderosa Fire Now 50 Percent Contained, 50 Structures Destroyed

MANTON (CBS13/AP) — Thousands of firefighters battling a massive lightning-sparked wildfire now have the blaze 50 percent contained.

Aided by a shift in winds, firefighters were making a stand against the Ponderosa Fire, which has now destroyed 50 structures and forced thousands of residents from their homes. Cal Fire didn't specify how many of the 50 structures destroyed were homes.

Since igniting Saturday, the fire grew to more than 30 square miles. Nearly 2,100 firefighters were battling the blaze in rugged, densely forested terrain. At one point, it threatened 3,500 homes in the remote towns of Shingletown, Manton and Viola, about 170 miles north of Sacramento.

But as of 7a.m. Wednesday, the number of homes considered threatened had dropped to 200. The fire had also consumed 24,323 acres.

The fast-moving fire is one of many burning across the West, where dry lightning has sparked up grass, brush and timber, bringing an early start to the fire season.

Evacuees were anxious to hear the latest information from officials. Dozens of people, as well as about a dozen dogs, were waiting at the Redding gym.

"The evacuation part? It's hard because I don't know what's happening to the house up there," said Jimmy Hall, a Shingletown resident whose family spent another night sleeping on cots.

"It's my dad's house…There's a lot of things in there," Hall added. "I've heard that my friend is still up there protecting his house. It's just hard. Look at how we're sleeping."

Eric Kiltz, an emergency services coordinator for the American Red Cross, said "there's more frustration than anxiety, and people, for the most part are grateful they have a safe and secure place to stay, even though their home may be lost."

Gov. Jerry Brown announced Tuesday that National Guard troops will be assisting with the firefighting efforts. The news comes a day after the Federal Emergency Management Agency said it is offering federal funds to help fight the blaze.

Remnants of the fire spotted in some homes included melted satellite dishes, burned furniture and charred refrigerators. As the wildfire burned, massive amounts of smoke poured from the forest.

The fire forced the closure of Highway 44 and other roads, and prompted the declaration of an emergency in Shasta County.

Bonnie Maloy, who left her home in Shingletown, along with her husband Bill, described the scene as they fled the flames as "frantic at first."

"Then I said, 'Let's calm down,' and we got everything that's important, things we couldn't replace: animals, kids, photo albums," she said.