The Mountain Fire, near Redding, CA, Shasta County

A fire that started near the area of Bear Mountain and Dry Creek roads shortly after 11 a.m. is "rapidly spreading," and threatens structures in the Jones Valley area northeast of Redding, officials say.

Shasta county Sheriff's Lt. Anthony Bertain said an estimated 1,100 homes were threatened as of 3:30 p.m. A total of 3,885 people have evacuated from the fire as of 4:05 p.m, according to the sheriff's office.

As the fire grows, the map linked below will provide live updates on where the fire in the Redding area.

The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection announced the 600-acre fire was about 20% contained as of 8 p.m. Thursday.

"Erratic fire behavior influenced by windy conditions and steep terrain challenged firefighters into the mid-afternoon. Winds calmed allowing progress to be made in slowing the fire's spread, however, there is an anticipated return for gusty conditions tonight," Cal Fire reported in a press release Thursday.

Track the smoke and flames of the Mountain Fire with this map:

[link to www.redding.com (secure)]