The Coffin Fire in Trinity County has been contained, but firefighters still are battling blazes in northern and central California, including a huge fire near Santa Maria that apparently began at an illegal marijuana farm.
The Coffin Fire, which flared up Wednesday and threatened homes near Lewiston, was contained over the weekend after it burned at least 1,200 acres. The SHU Lightning Fires in eastern Shasta County are 90 percent contained after burning nearly 18,000 acres.
The state’s biggest fire is the La Brea Fire, which has consumed nearly 86,000 acres of open range and forest since it started Aug. 8. The wildfire, which is in Santa Barbara County 21 miles east of Santa Maria, has destroyed two structures.
Officials said over the weekend that they believe the fire started accidentally at a marijuana farm operated by a Mexican drug cartel. For more, click here.
Hot, dry weather and high winds are forecast for much of the state today, so firefighters will have their work cut out for them. For an update on all the major fires around California, click here.
- It’s the first day of a new school year in most Redding schools, so be careful driving out there. Watch out for lost schoolchildren stumbling into traffic under the weight of their brand-new backpacks.
- It’s also audition season, and the Shasta College Community Chorale and Women’s Ensemble will be holding auditions during the first three weeks of the fall term. The Women’s Ensemble has its first rehearsal on Tuesday at 5 p.m. The Chorale meets at 7 p.m. on Mondays. All the rehearsals are in room 638. New members are welcome. Simply show up. Meanwhile, over in Room 633, the Shasta Youth Symphony holds its first meeting with students and parents at 4 p.m. Wednesday. For more info, call 472-1260 or send e-mail to lotsofarrows@yahoo.com. Finally, the Shasta Symphony Orchestra will have its registration and first rehearsal at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, also in Room 633.
Tips appreciated: Send news tidbits to steveb.anewscafe@gmail.com.
