REDDING, Calif. – A wildfire raging in Northern California exploded in size overnight and continued its swift march toward heavily populated areas Thursday, killing at least one person and consuming nearly 45 square miles by late afternoon, fire officials said.
A bulldozer operator, who was hired privately, was killed in the blaze while at least three firefighters and an unknown number of civilians were injured with burns, said Cal Fire spokesman Scott McLean.
The Carr Fire raged northeast and burned through Shasta and Keswick toward Redding and Shasta Dam.
Officials issued evacuation orders to more than 2,200 residents west and north of Redding.
McLean said the situation was chaotic as residents had little warning to flee the area.
At least 15 structures were destroyed and five more damaged, according to Cal Fire. It was not immediately clear where they were located.
California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection officials and Shasta County Sheriff’s Office said numerous homes had burned in the Keswick and Shasta areas.
As of Thursday afternoon the fire had consumed 28,763 acres. It was considered 10 percent contained.
California Gov. Jerry Brown declared a state of emergency in all of Shasta County due to the Carr Fire and other fires in the area. Sheriff Tom Bosenko also declared a local state of emergency.
Authorities urged residents to evacuate when they are told and pack clothes, important documents, medicines, cellphone chargers and other materials. Be prepared to be away from home for two to three days, Bosenko said.
“People who refuse to evacuate not only put themselves and family in danger, they are putting fire personnel in danger,” Bosenko said.
As of Thursday, there were no reported injuries or fatalities from the fire.
The sheriff’s office sent out evacuation notices to more than 600 homes, which includes an estimated 2,200 residents, Bosenko said.
Cody McCoy said he was packed up and ready to go. He said he was up all night Wednesday watching the fire from his rooftop.
His street was under an evacuation order, but McCoy said he was waiting until the last moment to leave.
Meanwhile, Oak Bottom Marina on Whiskeytown Lake was destroyed.
“The only buildings left standing are the fire station and a couple of restrooms,” Hebrard said. “The concession stands are burned up.”
About 40 boats at the marina were destroyed, he said. Others were released from their moorings and set adrift on the lake.Hebrard said the fire took off Wednesday night, spotting up to half a mile ahead of the main inferno. The fire was pushed by wind being sucked in from the coast, he said.
“What we have is a condition here where it’s 110 degrees in the valley; it’s 60 degrees on the coast. The hot air rises, the air sucks in and those are the winds we are getting about 7 to 8 o’clock every night. And it is pushing that fire basically to the east, to the north,” Hebrard said.
“So the fire right now to the north is essentially running toward the dam, Shasta Dam,” he said.
REDDING, Calif. – A wildfire raging in Northern California exploded in size overnight and continued its swift march toward heavily populated areas Thursday, killing at least one person and consuming nearly 45 square miles by late afternoon, fire officials said.
A bulldozer operator, who was hired privately, was killed in the blaze while at least three firefighters and an unknown number of civilians were injured with burns, said Cal Fire spokesman Scott McLean.
The Carr Fire raged northeast and burned through Shasta and Keswick toward Redding and Shasta Dam.
Officials issued evacuation orders to more than 2,200 residents west and north of Redding.
McLean said the situation was chaotic as residents had little warning to flee the area.
At least 15 structures were destroyed and five more damaged, according to Cal Fire. It was not immediately clear where they were located.
California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection officials and Shasta County Sheriff’s Office said numerous homes had burned in the Keswick and Shasta areas.
As of Thursday afternoon the fire had consumed 28,763 acres. It was considered 10 percent contained.
California Gov. Jerry Brown declared a state of emergency in all of Shasta County due to the Carr Fire and other fires in the area. Sheriff Tom Bosenko also declared a local state of emergency.
Authorities urged residents to evacuate when they are told and pack clothes, important documents, medicines, cellphone chargers and other materials. Be prepared to be away from home for two to three days, Bosenko said.
“People who refuse to evacuate not only put themselves and family in danger, they are putting fire personnel in danger,” Bosenko said.
As of Thursday, there were no reported injuries or fatalities from the fire.
The sheriff’s office sent out evacuation notices to more than 600 homes, which includes an estimated 2,200 residents, Bosenko said.
Cody McCoy said he was packed up and ready to go. He said he was up all night Wednesday watching the fire from his rooftop.
His street was under an evacuation order, but McCoy said he was waiting until the last moment to leave.
Meanwhile, Oak Bottom Marina on Whiskeytown Lake was destroyed.
“The only buildings left standing are the fire station and a couple of restrooms,” Hebrard said. “The concession stands are burned up.”
About 40 boats at the marina were destroyed, he said. Others were released from their moorings and set adrift on the lake.Hebrard said the fire took off Wednesday night, spotting up to half a mile ahead of the main inferno. The fire was pushed by wind being sucked in from the coast, he said.
“What we have is a condition here where it’s 110 degrees in the valley; it’s 60 degrees on the coast. The hot air rises, the air sucks in and those are the winds we are getting about 7 to 8 o’clock every night. And it is pushing that fire basically to the east, to the north,” Hebrard said.
“So the fire right now to the north is essentially running toward the dam, Shasta Dam,” he said.
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