Updated

Sheriff's deputies in far Northern California are burning down a mobile home where more than 60 pounds of highly volatile explosive material was found, forcing dozens of residents to evacuate the area.

Shasta County sheriff's officials consulted with water and air quality officials before proceeding with the incineration midday Sunday. Emergency personnel and hazmat teams were standing by.

Sheriff's Lt. Dave Kent says the mandatory evacuations around the Redding home began last week and were expanded on Friday, bringing the total to about 55 homes under evacuation orders.

Kent says the materials in the house are too unstable for deputies to even walk on the property without risking a blast. They were discovered Feb. 6 after authorities responded to an explosion at the home that took off a man's hand.