Fast-Moving Fire Breaks Out in Redding Forcing Mandatory Evacuations

Update 2:15 pm: Fire officials have stopped all forward progress of the fire, nearly avoiding what could have been a dangerous situation. Market Street has reopened to through traffic.

“Fire crews are mopping up and dealign with hotspots. No new evacuation orders are expected at this time,” police said on Twitter.

Forward progress on the #MasonicFire has been stopped. The fire has burned 30-35 acres and is roughly 20% contained. Crews will be in the area for several hours mopping up. @reddingff_1934 @CullenKreider pic.twitter.com/Yp6xgnqudR

— Haleigh Pike (@PikeHaleighdee) October 14, 2018

Original story:

Fire officials are responding to the Masonic Fire in west Redding that has quickly grown to approximately 30 acres and is forcing evacuations to residents in the area. So far, at least one house has reportedly been destroyed.

With gusts up to 45 mph, the fire broke out around 10:30 am and is moving quickly through the area. It is currently threatening structures near Barbara road. The fire sits right next to the burned area of the devastating Carr Fire that ravaged the area earlier this year.

BREAKING: Evacuation orders in place for #MasonicFire (Barbara Rd, Pearl St. and Nancy Ct., neighborhoods north of Benton Dr, to Lake Blvd. and west of Market St) Areas south of Benton should be prepared to evacuate. @ActionNewsNow pic.twitter.com/TONeGFUYbg

— Laura Eng (@LauraEngNews) October 14, 2018

https://www.facebook.com/ActionNewsNow/videos/2360071964220243/

The fire started on Masonic and spread south into North Market Street and Barbara Road, forcing fire officials to dispatch 30 engines, two air tankers, a helicopter, five water tankers and two hand crews to the area.

Homes threatened and evacuations ordered as wildfire blows up in Redding. #MasonicFire https://t.co/IdHkTvV1xJ pic.twitter.com/NNJk9qDBZp

— Kym Kemp (@KymKemp) October 14, 2018

Power is expected to be turned off in the area and nearby residents are being told to prepare in case of evacuation. We will continue to update this article as information is made available.