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Hidden fire contained at 35%, evacuations lifted

Firefighters battled a wildfire near the northeastern edge of Redding Monday morning, after forcing the evacuation of communities along Bear Mountain Road on Sunday.

The Hidden Fire burned 45 acres on both sides of Bear Mountain Road in Jones Valley as of 10 a.m., according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection.

The fire was 35% contained as of 10:30 a.m. Monday, said Jas Shaw, public information officer for Cal Fire's Shasta-Trinity unit.

Ground and air crews spent Sunday evening “throwing everything they had” at the fire, Shaw said, managing to stop its spread Monday morning.

The team is “cleaning up now” and will continue to monitor the burned area this week, Shaw said.

No homes, businesses or other structures burned in the hidden fire, she said.

Bear Mountain evacuation orders are lifted. Evacuation warnings in place

The Shasta County Sheriff lifted evacuation orders Monday morning for Redding and Jones Valley residents living near the fire. These communities are now under evacuation warnings, meaning residents should be prepared to leave if conditions change, according to the sheriff's office.

Dry Creek Road, north of Hidden Valley Market, is closed to residents, Shaw said, and the Jones Valley boat ramp and Jones Valley campground are closed.

Traffic controls are in place near the burned area, the sheriff's office said.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation, according to Cal Fire.

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Dry fire weather will continue until at least Tuesday

The hidden fire broke out at the northern edge of dry weather that could spread quickly, according to the National Weather Service.

The agency issued a red flag warning, in effect until at least 8 a.m. Tuesday.

Weather service meteorologists said gusty winds, dry air and vegetation increase the risk of fire and spread in an area that includes the Sacramento Valley, from Redding to Sacramento, and south of the Valley beyond Merced.

The weather service and Cal Fire warned Upstate residents to be careful not to start fires: avoid driving or parking on grass and brush, safely discard cigarettes and cigars, and make sure nothing is dragged from vehicles and that trailers and other towed objects are secure. correctly.

Wind spreads hidden fire after Sunday start

The hidden fire started before 4:33 p.m. Sunday, according to Cal Fire.

It spread through dry grass and vegetation, spread by strong gusts of wind on Sunday.

As of Monday morning, the southern edge of the fire burned on Bear Mountain Road off Bear Mountain Lookout, less than a half-mile from the intersection of Bear Mountain Road and Hidden Valley Drive, according to maps Cal Fire Department.

The southeast edge of the Hidden Fire has burned the west side of Bear Mountain Road. The fire crossed Bear Mountain Road north of the Idle Hour Restaurant and Bar, according to Cal Fire.

Evacuation orders were lifted at 9 a.m. Monday morning for Redding residents living north and south of Hidden Valley Drive, south of Sunshine Way, east of Bear Mountain Road, west of Marin Drive and Backbone Road, north of Ravine Road, east of Bollibokka Way, and west of Marin Drive and Ravine Court.

A temporary evacuation site housed evacuees at Bella Vista School on Old Alturas Road on Sunday, according to Cal Fire.

Jessica Skropanic is a reporter for the Record Searchlight/USA Today network. She covers science, arts, social issues and current affairs. Follow her on Twitter @RS_JSkropanic and on Facebook. Join Jessica in the To go out! Nor Cal Leisure Facebook group. To support and perpetuate this work, please subscribe today. THANKS.

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