Shirley Jones and her producer husband Marty Ingles are among the Big Bear Lake, California, locals who have been forced to flee their homes as a forest fire rages nearby.

The beloved TV stars were evacuated from their sprawling hilltop retreat at the weekend in the San Bernardino mountain lakes region as firefighters struggled to contain the Fawnskin blaze.

The actress' publicist Edward Lozzi says, "They could see the fire from their windows. At one point it was only hundreds of yards from their property as they were racing to flee."

Jones says, "It is all up to God and the shifting winds now. This is a real nail-biter."

Lozzi adds, "The couple has been warned to expect a real mess at best - inches of ash residue over everything and planes dropping red fire retardants - when they return. That is if there is a house to return to."

At press time fire officials have allowed some residents to voluntarily return to their homes. It is not known if Jones and Ingles have been allowed to go home.

(This news article provided by World Entertainment News Network)