Officials Order Evacuations Near Swedes Fire In Butte County

OROVILLE, Calif. (AP) — Fire officials are ordering mandatory evacuations for areas of Butte County where a 1,500-acre wildfire was only 20 percent contained Saturday afternoon.

The Swedes Fire 10 miles south of Oroville in Northern California has destroyed one home, three outbuildings and several vehicles. More than 200 other structures are threatened.

The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection reports that strong winds overnight drove the fire into steep terrain covered with heavy brush.

On Saturday 28 engines with 208 firefighters were fighting the blaze on the ground with the help of two air tankers and one helicopter.

Six bulldozers are attempting to cut fire lines to contain the blaze.

The Red Cross has set up a shelter for evacuees at Church of the Nazarene in Oroville.