(TNS) - The Bear Fire burning in Northern California exploded Tuesday night and into Wednesday, destroying the rural Berry Creek community above Lake Oroville in Butte County, and prompting evacuation orders for at least 20,000 people lower down the hill in the Oroville area and surrounding towns.

Berry Creek, a secluded rural area of about 1,200 people, was in ashen ruins Wednesday, hours after a midnight firestorm and frantic evacuation.

“I’ve only seen three homes left standing,” said Sacramento Bee photographer Jason Pierce Wednesday afternoon, reporting from the hill town. “Dozens of houses and businesses are destroyed. Every house is just dust.”

Fire officials evacuated people from the Berry Creek area late Tuesday. An undetermined number suffered burns. On Wednesday afternoon, the area was desolate, and blanketed in heavy smoke. A fire crew was in town working on remaining spot fires, and Butte Sheriff’s deputies were patrolling the area.

2:39 p.m.: COVID-19 fouls up evacuation shelter plans

Butte County Supervisor Doug Teeter, who lost his home in the Camp Fire, said there’s a major issue with trying to find evacuees shelter. Because of COVID-19, they can’t stay in traditional shelters.

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