BUTTE FIRE: San Andreas Mandatory Evacuation Order Lifted, But Residents Urged To Be Ready

6:30 p.m. UPDATE: Cal Fire reports the Butte Fire has burned 64,728 acres, and containment has fallen to 5 percent as of 6:30 p.m. on Friday

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AMADOR COUNTY (CBS13) — The Butte Fire has burned more than 50,000 acres, though mandatory evacuations for the town of San Andreas have been lifted, for the time being.

Cal Fire pulled back the mandatory evacuation order just before 5 p.m. on Friday, but cautioned residents should be ready to leave at a moment's notice.

Cal Fire says the fire is running up and down the canyon, straddling Amador and Calaveras counties, changing directions with the wind.

Firefighters are deep in the wooded area, and more crews are being brought in to get firefighters out.

"It's taken some time to get out of that area because of downed trees, down power lines, downed power pole," said Cal Fire's Brice Bennett.

Highway 26 near the Calaveras River Valley is closed because of downed power lines. Homeowners couldn't get in to check their property.

Others are looking for friends, concerned about who is left behind in the valley.

Rancher Jim Paulson says he was forced to leave his home. He waits on Highway 49 looking over the 60 llamas he couldn't get out.

"The mamas won't leave their babies. They're protecting them. Neighbors are saying the fire is at the Mokelumne baseball diamond. Once it hits this dry grass it'll be right on top of us," he said.

Gov. Jerry Brown issued a state of emergency for the fire on Friday.