Scorching temperatures, swirling winds, bone-dry vegetation and sparks from a defective trailer tire combined Monday to ignite a wildfire on the west side of Whiskeytown Lake that elevated to inferno mode Wednesday night and continued Thursday to endanger residents in French Gulch, Old Shasta, the Victoria Highlands neighborhood and west Redding.
The Carr Fire, named for its origin near the Judge Francis Carr Powerhouse, had consumed 20,000 acres and was 10 percent contained as of 1 p.m. Thursday. Some 1,356 firefighters and 110 engines had joined the battle by Thursday afternoon, according to the California Office of Emergency Services.
For a map of the fire, visit https://calema.maps.arcgis.com/apps/MapSeries/index.html?appid=33c284a58166427bab05a115414930ed
At a Thursday morning press conference, Mike Hebrard, chief of the Shasta-Trinity Unit of Cal Fire, said the firefighting effort was focused on keeping the blaze west of Iron Mountain Road near Keswick and away from Redding. “If we can get that today, that’s a big win,” Hebrard said.
Around 11 a.m. Thursday, prevailing winds shifted and began moving the blaze northeast toward Shasta Dam, although west Redding residents were urged to prepare for evacuation. The Carr Fire remains extremely volatile and subject to changing wind and weather conditions.
Residents throughout the area awoke to discover a layer on ash on driveways and vehicles. Many soon learned that the Carr Fire, fueled by cooler coastal air rushing in as hot air in the valley began to rise, had erupted overnight. Among the victims were some 40 boats berthed at Oak Bottom Marina as well as the concession stands.
Hebrard said firefighters are concerned the same nighttime wind patterns will develop Thursday night.
North state residents affected by the fire are encouraged to visit https://www.facebook.com/groups/2125086101084821/about/ to learn more about available services and post their needs or concerns.
At noon on Thursday, Mercy Medical Center issued a press release indicating the hospital “remains fully functional during the #CarrFire including accepting patients for all emergent medical conditions and trauma. Hospital leaders are in contact with local agencies to monitor the situation. Patient safety remains our top priority as we access our resources in the community, and around the North State. We do not plan to evacuate at this time, but have contingency plans in place should the situation necessitate. We are also asking all patients who are not experiencing a medical emergency to seek care at other facilities if possible during this incident to allow us to focus our resources on the current situation.”
Residents of the tiny town of French Gulch, who are no strangers to wildfires, were ordered to evacuate on Tuesday. Evacuation orders were subsequently extended to Old Shasta and Keswick. No evacuation orders had been issued in the Redding city limits as of 1 p.m. Thursday.
Mandatory evacuation orders were in place Thursday for people living on Lower Springs Road and to the west, as well as Rock Creek Road and Iron Mountain Road. The current evacuation center is Shasta High School. For more fire information, call the Cal Fire information line at (530) 225-2510. For disaster relief, call the Red Cross hotline at (844) 236-0153.
Here’s a handy guide to help prepare for an evacuation: http://www.readyforwildfire.org/Prepare-For-Wildfire/
Large animal and livestock evacuations are being accepted at the Redding Rodeo grounds on Auditorium Drive and small animals can be taken to Haven Humane, 9417 Eastside Road.
Gov. Jerry Brown declared a state of emergency in Shasta County due to the Carr Fire; Shasta County Sheriff Tom Bosenko declared a local state of emergency. The Shasta County Air Quality Management District and the Shasta County Health and Human Services Agency advised residents to limit outdoor activities due to the smoke from the Carr Fire and fires in Southern Oregon.
“All members of the public, especially those with respiratory or heart disease, the elderly, pregnant women, and children should remain alert, and if necessary, reduce or avoid all outdoor exertion when wildfire smoke is present. Everyone else should limit prolonged exertion in areas of noticeable smoke accumulation. Individuals wishing to minimize their exposure should limit exercise and outdoor activities and remain indoors with the windows and doors closed,” an alert said.
The city of Redding was offering free masks at City Hall through 6 p.m. Thursday.
As often happens when disasters strike, community members, local businesses and service organizations were quick to step forward to offer help.
Woody’s Brewing Co. in downtown Redding closed for lunch on Thursday in order to prepare and serve food for Red Cross workers and evacuees at Shasta High School. From the Hearth Café offered a free dinner Thursday to Redding families who had to evacuate. In a Facebook post, the local bakery and restaurant chain said “We are sorry for the struggles of today. Please come have dinner with your family for free tonight. It’s the least we can do to help after a very rough day. We love you, Redding.”
Bleacher’s Sports Bar & Grill, 2167 Hilltop Drive, is offering burgers and fries to residents displaced by the Carr Fire. The generous offer is in collaboration with R&R Meats. Bleacher’s kitchen is open till 10:30 p.m.
