North State still burning

While firefighters have mostly contained the Reading and Mill fires, they have their hands full with a new blaze between Manton and Shingletown that has destroyed about 50 structures.

The Ponderosa Fire, which was ignited by lightning strike on Saturday (Aug. 18), has grown to 24,324 acres and was 50 percent contained at last report, according to multiple media sources. Fire officials say about 200 structures remain in danger, and of those already destroyed, many are believed to be homes. Meanwhile, the Chips Fire in Plumas County has grown to 62,541 acres and mandatory evacuations are in place in Canyon Dam, Big Meadows and Prattville.

Firefighters had the Reading Fire in Lassen Volcanic National Park fully contained on Tuesday evening (Aug. 21) and the Mill Fire—burning northwest of Butte Meadows in Tehama County—reportedly will be fully contained by tonight.