Fire Forces Evacuations, Threatens Homes Authorities say a wildfire raging near Redding in northern California is threatening dozens of homes and has forced many evacuations. The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection said early Friday that firefighters were working through the night to control the 1,200-acre blaze. CalFire says evacuations are in effect for some neighborhoods in southwest Redding and the Happy Valley area. Some roads are also closed. The Redding Record Searchlight reports that the blaze had forced hundreds to evacuate. The paper also says 150 homes were threatened. CalFire didn't provide precise figures. CalFire spokesman Mike Witesman told the paper late Thursday night that five homes were damaged, but he didn't have further details. He says he doesn't expect the blaze to grow much larger and says some evacuees might soon be allowed back home. The fire was first spotted about 2 p.m. Thursday and quickly grew.