Wildfire forces evacuations in California as woman held on suspicion of arson

Firefighter Ron Burias battles the Fawn Fire as it spreads north of Redding, Calif. in Shasta County, on Thursday, Sept. 23, 2021. Picture: AP Photo/Ethan Swope

Thousands of people are under evacuation orders and many others are on notice to be ready to flee as a destructive wildfire raged in a drought-stricken forest in California’s far north.

A woman suspected of starting the Fawn Fire was under arrest, authorities said.