The so-called Ponderosa Fire has burned 3,715 acres (1,503 hectares) and destroyed 30 homes in Butte County, prompting authorities to issue evacuation orders to residents of some 500 homes in the area, officials said. It was 40 percent contained on Friday, up from 30 percent the day before.The blaze is burning east of the town of Oroville, about 85 miles (137 km) north of the state capital of Sacramento.
The declaration will free up additional resources to battle the blaze, which erupted on Tuesday from a campfire that was started outside a designated area.The man charged with starting the fire, John Ballenger, made his first court appearance in Butte County Superior Court on Friday, District Attorney Michael Ramsey said in a telephone interview.Ballenger is charged with two counts of arson and was ordered held on a $1 million bond, Ramsey said. Ballenger could face up to seven years and eight months in prison if convicted…
Source: California governor declares wildfire state of emergency
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