Cow, Shasta County

Cow, Shasta-Trinity Unit, Cal Fire. Three miles southwest of Millville, CA. Tall grass and brush. Minimal fire behavior with creeping and backing.

June 25, 2021 at 7:04 AM

Continued progress is being made on suppression repair and increasing containment.

June 24, 2021 at 7:04 AM

Firefighters observed minimal fire activity overnight as they continued to mop up and patrol. Residents are asked to use caution when driving in the fire area as emergency personnel and apparatus continue working.

June 23, 2021 at 7:09 AM

Firefighters continue to strengthen and increase containment lines. Residents are asked to use caution when driving in the fire area as emergency personnel and apparatus continue working.

June 22, 2021 at 4:45 PM

On June 20, 2021 CAL FIRE responded to the “Cow Fire” on Highway 44 east of the community of Millville. Investigators have determined the cause of this fire to be from hot catalytic converter parts which were ejected from the exhaust system of a passing vehicle.

Catalytic converters are a component of a vehicle’s exhaust system and operate at temperatures often exceeding 1000 degrees Fahrenheit. The Cow Fire quickly grew to 761 acres and is currently 50 % contained.

Around the time the fire started, a witness provided a vehicle description of a poorly running vehicle to investigators, and that vehicle was located in the Palo Cedro area in the morning hours of June 21, 2021. The vehicle was inspected by investigators which revealed a failed catalytic converter.

Let this serve as a reminder that many wildfires start along roadways each year from malfunctioning vehicles. Recognizing the signs of a failing catalytic converter and regular vehicle maintenance can play a major role in preventing wildfires.

Signs and symptoms could include:

• Reduced acceleration power (your vehicle is losing power when going uphill or acceleration)
• Engine misfires
• Increased emissions
• Reduction in engine performance
• Illuminated check engine light (There are many reasons why the check engine light may appear, having a bad catalytic converter is one)

June 22, 2021 at 7:44 AM

Favorable weather conditions with cooler temperatures and increased humidity helped firefighters continue to make progress overnight.

June 21, 2021 at 7:10 PM

The fire did not increase and stayed within containment lines as winds increased this afternoon. Updated fire size is due to more accurate mapping. Firefighters are working to increase and reinforce containment lines, as well as extinguish hot spots, which are primarily well interior of the fire perimeter.

June 21, 2021 at 9:12 AM

Firefighters made significant progress overnight as cooler temperatures aided in decreased fire activity. Firefighters continued to work on increasing containment lines and mopping up.

Please drive slowly and use caution as emergency crews and equipment are still working in the area.