UPDATED: Fire officials report Manton's water supply damaged
The 50 structures the fast-moving Ponderosa Fire has destroyed are homes, fire officials confirmed this morning.Meanwhile, the water supply infrastructure for Manton was damaged, but it is unclear how that is affecting firefighters' efforts to battle the blaze.
The blaze grew by nearly 3,000 acres from Tuesday night and is burning 24,323 acres. Fire crews are trying to hold lines off of Highway 36 and have been cutting a path to prevent the fire from running up a canyon that runs parallel to the corridor.
"That's where the activity has been. They are working feverishly to get things buttoned up," said Jim DiDio, an education information inspector with Tehama County Fire.
More than 2,100 firefighters continue to battle the fire, which is fueled by a mix of grass, brush and heavy timber in the steep and rugged terrain straddling Shasta and Tehama counties.
It is unclear whether the homes were concentrated in one area or scattered throughout the three affected communities, Shingletown, Manton and Viola.
The fire is burning in an east and northeast direction in the Battle Creek drainage, extending into the Blue Ridge area, Cal Fire said.
DiDio, who is not at the fire, could not explain what had caused damages to the water supply. Tehama County has a ditch used for irrigation in the area, and it might be supplying water to the firefighters. He said it was possible a tree might have fallen in the ditch or one of the dozers might have run over it.
Cal Fire reported resources have been ordered, and DiDio said it was possible that was a call for more firefighters and equipment.
The region's terrain is making access difficult for fire crews.
DiDio marveled at images showing dozers making their way down rocky, mountainous areas.
"If you see these guys riding these dozers you would say they are crazy," he said.
They are trying to build about 11 miles of line and strengthen the existing containment lines.
Evacuations remain in place, though the number of threatened homes was reduced to 200 Tuesday night. Also under threat are 10 commercial buildings and 30 outbuildings. Full containment is expected by Sunday.
The fire has proven difficult to tame as it pushes along Highway 36. The wind direction has shifted from night time to day time.
"It was expected that it was going to be a problem," said DiDio of the challenges firefighters have had in keeping the fire continuing to spread as the day warms up. "The inversion layer lifted up about mid-morning … and the fire heats up again. That's when it starts running."
Cal Fire has deployed 2,134 firefighters, many coming up from Southern California. There are 278 engines, 53 dozers and 11 helicopters on scene.
The number of homes lost to the fire could climb in the days ahead, once fire officials can survey the damage.
"This is not a definite count by any means," DiDio said.
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