Delta, north of Lakehead

Delta, Shasta-Trinity NF. IMT 2 (Coots). Two miles north of Lakehead, CA. Timber and brush. Minimal fire behavior. Structures threatened. Road and area closures in effect. Precipitation occurred over the fire area yesterday.

September 14, 2018 at 8:40 AM

Yesterday, federal, state, and local government firefighters achieved 28 percent containment by continuing aggressive fire suppression efforts on the Delta Fire. Control lines held on the west and north edges of the fire, where crews began mopping up, or extinguishing remaining burning material near the control line.

On the northeast edge, crews completed a significant portion of hand and dozer line around the Slate Creek and Shotgun areas. Fire activity within control lines on the east side of Interstate 5, between Sims Road and Gibson Road, resulted in a temporary closure of Interstate 5 due its proximity to the fire. Numerous helicopter water drops successfully extinguished the approximately 20-acre area. Interstate 5 re-opened to through traffic shortly afterwards.

Crews successfully completed dozer line on the northeastern edge of the fire. The containment line connects the western edge of the Hirz Fire near North Salt Creek Road into Hazel Creek. In the southern area of the fire, firefighters focused on building direct fireline using the Sanford Road system below Damnation Peak.

Today, firefighters will continue to construct fireline directly on the fire’s edge between Hazel Creek and Sims Flat area on the east side of Interstate 5. Travelers on the highway are likely to see smoke and/or firefighting operations between Gibson Road and Sims Road exits. Line construction will also continue near Damnation Peak along Sanford Road to tie in the southern edge of the fire. Crews will continue to monitor a small area of activity that occurred overnight on the southeastern edge of the fire near Rabbit Flat.

Weather conditions are favorable for continuing operations along the west and north edges of the fire, where firefighters will continue mop-up operations to strengthen existing control lines. Fifteen helicopters will continue air operations throughout the fire area as conditions allow.

Road Closures/Openings:

Interstate 5 is open with limited traffic control between Redding and Mt. Shasta. All truck load restrictions have been lifted. Ramp closures will remain in effect at Sims Road and Gibson Road due to evacuation orders that are still in effect. Rest areas at O’Brien and Lakehead are now open. Due to re-construction of damaged freeway infrastructure, travelers may be subject to single lane traffic control during daytime hours between Lamoine and Pollard Flat. Motorists are asked to drive with caution and to be aware that emergency vehicles are still in the area. Some of the road systems off of Interstate 5 will remain closed due to suppression efforts. Traffic Control Points will be set at the following areas: Dog Creek/Vollmers off-ramps, both north and south; Pollard Flat off-ramps, both north and south; Gibson Rd off-ramps, both north and south; and the Sims Rd off-ramps, both north and south.

September 13, 2018 at 8:19 AM

Diminished winds will see the return of fuel and slope driven fire spread. The burn periods will be shortened by increased relative humidity.

Community Meeting: A community meeting for the Delta and Hirz Fire is schedule for tonight, September 13, at 6 p.m. at Dunsmuir Elementary School, 4760 Siskiyou Avenue, California.

September 12, 2018 at 7:39 AM

Ridge locations will experience the strongest winds since the initial slope runs of September 5th. Wind activity will continue throughout the shift as a weak inversion builds back in.

Interstate 5 between Redding and Mt. Shasta is open. Travel is reduced to one lane in each direction for approximately seventeen miles. Motorists are asked to drive with caution, obey all traffic control operations and be patient. Lengthy delay. Flammable vehicles are not allowed.

The railway has been re-opened to freight trains only. Power infrastructure, Union Pacific Railway, public water supply, T&E species habitat, timber and recreational sites as well as communications infrastructure are threatened. Multiple commercial vehicles and several structures have been damaged or destroyed. Damage assessment is ongoing and further structure loss will be reported when confirmed.

Forest Area Closures:
To provide for public safety during the suppression of the Delta Fire, Shasta-Trinity National Forest lands, roads, and trails around the fire perimeter have been closed (Order No. 14-18-18). For specific recreation information, please call the Shasta Lake Ranger District at (530) 275-1587 or the Mt. Shasta Ranger Station at (530) 926-4511.

Shasta County Evacuations: The Shasta County Sheriff’s Office has issued mandatory evacuations for residents along the Interstate 5 corridor from exit 707 at Vollmers north to exit 714 at Gibson. Follow the Shasta County Sheriff’s Facebook page. Siskiyou County Evacuations: The Siskiyou County Sheriff’s Office has issued an evacuation warning, not a mandatory evacuation, for all residents of Dunsmuir. Follow the Siskiyou County Sheriff’s Office Facebook page.

Trinity County Evacuations: The Trinity County Sheriff’s Office has issued a mandatory evacuation notice for residents of East Fork Road to Ramshorn Road east to the Shasta Trinity County line. There will be a hard road closure at East Side Road and East Fork Road for nonresidents. There is an evacuation advisory only from the East Fork/East Side Road junction west to Highway 3 northward to Ramshorn Road. Follow the Trinity County Sheriff’s Office Facebook page:

Evacuation Shelters: An evacuation shelter is located at the National Guard Armory, 618 Everitt Memorial Hwy in Mount Shasta, California. The Redding Shelter is on standby located at 100 Mercy Oaks Drive in Redding, California.

Small Animal Shelter: The Siskiyou Humane Society is housing dogs and cats for evacuees using the evacuation shelter. The humane society is at 1208 North Mount Shasta Blvd (530-926-4052). Evacuees can bring their pets and visit/feed/feed them during the shelter hours of operation (9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.). Evacuees are responsible for taking care of their own animals every day.

September 10, 2018 at 7:36 PM

Fire is progressing to the north and northwest on the west side of I-5 and to the northeast on the east side of I-5. Evacuations remain in place for the communities of Delta, Lamoine, Pollard, Flat, Sims and Castella. A Red Flag Warning is in effect from 1 PM tomorrow to 11 PM Wednesday for gusty winds.

Threat to the communities include Lakehead, Pollock, Delta, Vollmers, Dog Creek, Lamoine, Pollard Flat, Sims and Castella.

A single, inside lane of Interstate 5 was opened in both directions today. The railway has been re-opened to freight trains only.

Power infrastructure, Union Pacific Railway, public water supply, T&E species habitat, timber and recreational sites as well as communications infrastructure are threatened. Multiple commercial vehicles and several structures have been damaged or destroyed. Damage assessment is ongoing and further structure loss will be reported when confirmed. A forest closure is in effect for the fire area, including the Pacific Crest Trail. Transition of command took place this morning to CIIMT 4 (Kurth) and Cal Fire (Truax).

September 9, 2018 at 9:07 AM

Evacuations remain in place for the communities of Delta, Lamoine, Pollard,Flat, Sims and Castella. Threat to the communities include Lakehead, Pollock, Delta,Vollmers, Dog Creek, Lamoine, Pollard Flat, Sims and Castella. I-5 remains closed from Fawndale Rd. north to Mott Rd. in both directions. Interstate 5 is a major commerce corridor, closing or limiting access is a major impact to the local and regional economy. The railway has been re-opened to freight trains only. Power infrastructure, Union Pacific Railway, public water supply, T&E species habitat, timber and recreational sites as well as communications infrastructure are threatened. Multiple commercial vehicles and several structures have been damaged or destroyed. A forest closure is in effect for the fire area, including the Pacific Crest Trail. Transition of command is planned on 9/10 to CIIMT 4 which will also manage the Hirz fire.

Smoke from the Delta fire over spread the Hirz fire and persisted over the area through the night. Fair to poor humidity recoveries were observed along the ridges with relative humidities in the 30-40 percent range, with 50-60 percent relative humidities in the lower drainages. Low temperatures are in the 50s. North-Northeast Ridgetop winds gusted to 15 mph with downslope and down valley winds noted elsewhere.

Forecasted: Smoke will continue to be widespread over the Delta and Hirz fires in produce reduced visibilities through the entire period. High temperatures will be 78-83 on the ridges and 94-99 in the lower drainages. Relative humidities will lower into the 10-18 percent range in the afternoon. North to Northeast Ridge top winds will shift to the south and southwest around midday and gust to 15 mph. Upslope and upvalley winds are expected over the remainder of the fire.

September 8, 2018 at 8:13 PM

Fire was active today with crowning and spotting. Evacuations are in place for the communities of Lakehead, Pollock, Delta,Vollmers, Dog Creek, Lamoine, Pollard Flat, Sims and Castella. I-5 is closed from Fawndale Rd. north to Mott Rd. in both directions. Interstate 5 is a major commerce corridor, closing or limiting access is a major impact to the local and regional economy. Power infrastructure, public water supply, threatened and endangered species habitat, timber and recreational sites as well as communications infrastructure are threatened. Union Pacific Railway is open to freight only. Multiple commercial vehicles and several structures have been damaged or destroyed. A forest closure is in effect for the fire area, including the Pacific Crest Trail. A Type 1 Management Team (CIIMT 4, Kurth) will inbrief tomorrow at 3 p.m.

Areas of smoke will persist over the fires tonight as an inversion develops. Lows will generally be in the 50s with relative humidities rising into the 40 percent range along the ridges and around 60 percent in the lower drainages. South to southwest ridgetop winds will switch to the north and northeast after midnight with downslope winds developing elsewhere. The inversion will lift late morning on Sunday, but smoke will persist over the area, especially over the Delta Fire.

Highs will be 74-80 ridges and 93-98 lower drainages. Relative humidities will be in the 12-22 percent range. North to northeast ridgetop winds will become south and southwest in the afternoon with upslope winds developing over the remainder of the fire.

September 8, 2018 at 8:44 AM

Fire activity will moderate slightly as the inversion builds over the fire. Fire will be active where fuels, wind speed, direction, and topography align. Fire will continue to grow to the north and northwest.

A cold front moved cross the fires around midnight switching the winds from southwest to northwest along the ridges. Winds were gusty, as high as 20 mph, from the northwest along the ridges. Winds were gusty, as high as 20 mph, from the northwest while downslope and down valley winds developed over the rest of the fires. Low temperatures were generally in the 50s with humidities recovering into the 43-48 percent range along the ridges and 60-65 percent in the lower drainages. Skies remained mostly cloudy through the night with areas of smoke.

Forecasted: Skies will become mostly sunny this morning as high-pressure moves into the region. Temperatures will be a little cooler than the past few days with highs 76 to 81 along the ridges and 92 to 73 in the lower drainages. Afternoon relative humidities will lower into the 19 to 24 percent range along the ridges in 15 to 20 percent in the lower drainages. Ridgetop winds will begin from the north and north east before becoming Southwest in the afternoon. Winds over the remainder of the fire will go from downslope down valley in the morning to upslope and up valley in the afternoon.

September 7, 2018 at 8:37 PM

The Delta Fire remained active yesterday and throughout the night. The fire progressed primarily to the northwest, but it is also extremely active along the eastern edge between Interstate 5 and the Hirz Fire. There are several areas along the southern perimeter where the fire crossed over primary control lines and crews are aggressively attacking these slop-overs to prevent the fire from making southerly progress.

Life safety and protecting structures remain the foremost priority for the incident, and firefighters are working diligently 24 hours a day to protect the communities and residences threated by the Delta Fire. Dozer operators and hand crews are constructing fuel breaks. To protect Highland Springs, north of Boulder Creek, crews are constructing dozer lines and conducting a series of defensive backfiring operations around the community. Further north, dozer line along Middle Ridge is serving as a point for additional defensive firing operations in an effort to protect communities along the I-5 corridor, such as Castella and Dunsmuir. East of Interstate 5 at Sims Flat, crews are using an existing Hirz Fire contingency line along Sweetbriar Ridge as an indirect control line for the Delta Fire to limit its northeastern spread.

On the fire’s southeast side, near Riverview, firefighters are planning to use Middle Salt Creek as their southernmost control line. On the western side, crews continue to use a contingency line from the Carr Fire along Mosquito Creek Ridge as the primary control line.

Heavy smoke is over the fire and surrounding areas due to an inversion. With the hot and dry weather and gusty winds, the inversion is projected to lift around midday, which will increase fire activity and spread. Aircraft have been used heavily in the last two days to assist with slowing the fire’s progression and protecting communities and infrastructure. As visibility improves, helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft will continue to assist with suppression efforts through water and retardant drops. A temporary flight restriction (TFR) is in effect over the fire area (http://tfr.faa.gov/save_pages/detail_8_4816.html).

Road Closures:

For northbound traffic, Interstate 5 is closed at the Fawndale exit, approximately 10 miles north of Redding. Lakehead residents with ID are allowed beyond this closure; everyone else will be detoured. Further north, all traffic is stopped at Lakehead.

For southbound traffic, Interstate 5 is closed at Mott Road, 3.6 miles south of Mt. Shasta. Dunsmuir residents are allowed beyond this closure; everyone else will be detoured. Further south, all traffic is stopped at Gibson Road.

September 7, 2018 at 3:32 PM

Hirz Fire and Delta Fire Public Meeting
September 7, 2018 at 6:00 P.M..
Dunsmuir High School Gymnasium – 5805 High School Way, Dunsmuir, California

Current Situation:

The Delta Fire remained active yesterday and throughout the night. The fire progressed primarily to the northwest, but it is also extremely active along the eastern edge between Interstate 5 and the Hirz Fire. There are several areas along the southern perimeter where the fire crossed over primary control lines and crews are aggressively attacking these slop-overs to prevent the fire from making southerly progress.

Life safety and protecting structures remain the foremost priority for the incident, and firefighters are working diligently 24 hours a day to protect the communities and residences threated by the Delta Fire. Dozer operators and hand crews are constructing fuel breaks. To protect Highland Springs, north of Boulder Creek, crews are constructing dozer lines and conducting a series of defensive backfiring operations around the community. Further north, dozer line along Middle Ridge is serving as a point for additional defensive firing operations in an effort to protect communities along the I-5 corridor, such as Castella and Dunsmuir. East of Interstate 5 at Sims Flat, crews are using an existing Hirz Fire contingency line along Sweetbriar Ridge as an indirect control line for the Delta Fire to limit its northeastern spread.

On the fire’s southeast side, near Riverview, firefighters are planning to use Middle Salt Creek as their southernmost control line. On the western side, crews continue to use a contingency line from the Carr Fire along Mosquito Creek Ridge as the primary control line.

Heavy smoke is over the fire and surrounding areas due to an inversion. With the hot and dry weather and gusty winds, the inversion is projected to lift around midday, which will increase fire activity and spread. Aircraft have been used heavily in the last two days to assist with slowing the fire’s progression and protecting communities and infrastructure. As visibility improves, helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft will continue to assist with suppression efforts through water and retardant drops. A temporary flight restriction (TFR) is in effect over the fire area (http://tfr.faa.gov/save_pages/detail_8_4816.html).

Road Closures:

For northbound traffic, Interstate 5 is closed at the Fawndale exit, approximately 10 miles north of Redding. Lakehead residents with ID are allowed beyond this closure; everyone else will be detoured. Further north, all traffic is stopped at Lakehead.

For southbound traffic, Interstate 5 is closed at Mott Road, 3.6 miles south of Mt. Shasta. Dunsmuir residents are allowed beyond this closure; everyone else will be detoured. Further south, all traffic is stopped at Gibson Road.

Shasta County Evacuations:

Numerous structures are threatened, and the Shasta County Sheriff’s Office has issued mandatory evacuations for residents along the Interstate 5 corridor from exit 707 at Vollmers north to exit 714 at Gibson. Follow the Shasta County Sheriff’s Facebook page: www.facebook.com/Shasta-County-Sheriffs-Office-1527637610823075/

Siskiyou County Evacuations:

The Siskiyou County Sheriff’s Office has issued an evacuation warning, not a mandatory evacuation, for all residents of Dunsmuir. Follow the Siskiyou County Sheriff’s Office Facebook page: www.facebook.com/SiskiyouCountySheriff.

Trinity County Evacuations:

The Trinity County Sheriff’s Office has issued a mandatory evacuation notice for residents of East Fork Toad to Ramshorn Road east to the Shasta Trinity County line. There will be a hard road closure at East Side Road and East Fork Road for non-residents. There is an evacuation advisory only from the East Fork/East Side Road junction west to Highway 3 northward to Ramshorn Road. Follow the Trinity County Sheriff’s Office Fecebook page: https://www.facebook.com/Trinity-County-Sheriffs-Office-1635934306689276/

Evacuation Shelters:

An evacuation shelter is open at the Mount Shasta Community Center, 629 Alder Street, Mount Shasta.

A second evacuation shelter is available as needed at Central Valley High School, 4066 La Mesa Avenue, Shasta Lake City. Evacuees needing shelter services should call 844-236-0163 and the shelter will be opened.

Small Animal Shelter:

The Siskiyou Humane Society is housing dogs and cats for evacuees using the evacuation shelter. The humane society is at 1208 North Mount Shasta Blvd (530-926-4052). Evacuees can bring their pets and visit/feed/feed them during the shelter hours of operation (9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.). Evacuees are responsible for taking care of their own animals every day.

September 7, 2018 at 8:13 AM

Fire was active overnight primarily with surface fire spread. Evacuations are in progress and a threat continues in the communities of Lakehead, Pollock, Delta,Vollmers, Dog Creek, Lamoine, Pollard Flat, Sims and Castella. I-5 is closed from Fawndale Rd. north to Mott Rd. in both directions. Interstate 5 is a major commerce corridor, closing or limiting access is a major impact to the local and regional economy. Power infrastructure, public water supply, threatened and endangered species habitat, timber and recreational sites as well as communications infrastructure are threatened. Union Pacific Railway is open to freight only. Multiple commercial vehicles and several structures have been damaged or destroyed. A forest closure is in effect for the fire area and Pacific Crest Trail.

September 6, 2018 at 7:29 PM

Fire is active with uphill runs and long-range spotting. Evacuations are in progress and a threat to the communities of Lakehead, Pollock, Delta,Vollmers, Dog Creek, Lamoine, Pollard Flat, Sims and Castella. I-5 is closed from Fawndale Rd. north to Mott Rd. in both directions. Interstate 5 is a major commerce corridor closing or limiting access is a major impact to the local and regional economy. Power infrastructure, public water supply, timber and recreational sites as well as communications infrastructure are threatened. Union Pacific Railway is shutdown with infrastructure damage. Multiple commercial vehicles and several structures have been damaged or destroyed. A California Interagency Type 1 incident management team is assigned to manage this incident.

Road Closures
Northbound Interstate 5 is closed at the Fawndale exit approximately 10 miles north of Redding. Southbound Interstate 5 is closed 3.6 miles south of Mt. Shasta at Mott Rd. Motorists are advised to use an alternate route and avoid the area.

Shasta County Evacuations:
Numerous structures are threatened, and the Shasta County Sheriff’s Office has issued mandatory evacuations for residents along the Interstate 5 corridor from exit 707 at Vollmers north to exit 714 at Gibson.. Follow the Shasta County Sheriff’s Facebook page: www.facebook.com/Shasta-County-Sheriffs-Office-1527637610823075/
Trinity County Evacuations:
The Trinity County Sheriff’s Office has issued a mandatory evacuation notice for residents of East Fork Road to Ramshorn Road east to Shasta-Trinity County line. There will be a hard road closure at East Side and East Fork Road for non-residents.

There is an Evacuation Advisory only from the East Fork/East Side Road junction west to Highway 3 northward to Ramshorn Road.

Siskiyou County Evacuations:
The Siskiyou County Sheriff’s Office has issued an evacuation warning for all residents of Dunsmuir. Call the 24-Hour Dispatch Center at (530) 841-2900 or the Dunsmuir Substation at (530) 235-2320 or 235-2232 with questions. Follow the Siskiyou County Sheriff’s Office Facebook page: www.facebook.com/SiskiyouCountySheriff.

Evacuation Shelter:
An evacuation shelter has been established at Mount Shasta Community Center, 629 Alder Street, Mount Shasta.

Small Animal Shelter:
The Siskiyou Humane Society is accepting small animals for evacuees using the evacuation shelter. The humane society is at 1208 North Mount Shasta Blvd (530-926-4052).

September 6, 2018 at 2:45 PM

The Trinity County Sheriff’s Office has issued a mandatory evacuation notice for residents of East Fork Road to Ramshorn Road east to Shasta-Trinity County line. There will be a hard road closure at East Side and East Fork Road for non-residents.

There is an Evacuation Advisory only from the East Fork/East Side Road junction west to Highway 3 northward to Ramshorn Road.

California Interagency Incident Management Team 5 assumed command of the Delta Fire Wednesday afternoon and will continue to manage this fire in addition to the Hirz Fire.

The Delta Fire continued to grow aggressively throughout the evening and overnight with a large flaming front and flame lengths estimated at 300 feet high. The fire has grown primarily to the north and northwest of Vollmers, burning on both sides of Interstate 5. Life safety is a top priority for firefighters, and the Shasta County Sheriff’s Office is coordinating evacuations for areas affected by the incident. Crews have worked to anchor the south end of the fire along Dog Creek. To stop the fire’s northern spread and protect structures east of Interstate 5, firefighters have started a backfiring operation off a road that runs east from Pollard Flats to Hirz Fire’s western side near Salt Creek Road. Many of the eastern Hirz Fire contingency lines may be used in the efforts to control the Delta Fire.

Weather will continue to be hot and dry with gusty winds that have the possibility to increase fire behavior. Firefighters are working quickly to protect communities and structures immediately threatened by the fire. Dozers are being mobilized to construct fuel breaks and control lines north of the fire front to assist with protecting life and property. Aircraft will be used extensively for water and retardant drops in order to assist with protecting values at risk and slowing the fire’s progression.

September 6, 2018 at 7:28 AM

Fire remained very active overnight due to poor nighttime relative humidity recovery, extremely dry fuels, and topographic alignment. Active crown fire was observed with uphill runs and long-range spotting.

Projected Incident Activity
12 hour: Rapid rates of spread further north into Slate Creek and north of Pollard Flats toward Gibson, east towards Greens Mtn/High Mtn and west towards Damnation Peak and Slate Creek. Continued northerly spread impacting additional sections of I-5 and the Union Pacific railway. Active to extreme fire behavior predicted with uphill runs and crown fire likely.

September 5, 2018 at 9:14 PM

The Delta Fire is burning on both sides of Interstate-5 near the Vollmers Exit north of Lakehead. It is progressing primarily to the north and is burning actively in brush and timber in steep terrain.

Interstate 5 is closed from 10 miles north of Redding at Fawndale Road to 3.6 miles south of Mount Shasta at Mott Road. Motorists are advised to use an alternate route.

The Shasta County Sheriff’s Office conducted evacuations on both sides of I-5 north of Lakehead to the Shasta/Siskiyou county line. There is an evacuation center located at the Mt. Shasta Community Center, located at 629 Alder St. in Mt. Shasta.

California Interagency Incident Management Team 5 (CIIMT5) is now managing the Delta Fire, in addition to the nearby Hirz Fire.

Projected Incident Activity
12 hour: Rapid rates of spread to the north into Salt Creek and Pollard Flats, east towards Greens Mtn/High Mtn and west towards Damnation Peak and Slate Creek. Continued northerly spread impacting additional sections of I-5 and the Union Pacific railway.

24 hour: Continued spread to the north into Slate Creek, east towards the Hirz fire footprint.

September 5, 2018 at 3:58 PM

Critical rate of spread and long range spotting. 3 separate fires have burned together.

Structures are threatened and evacuations are in progress.

Interstate 5 is closed from 10 miles north of Redding at Fawndale Road to 3.6 miles south of Mount Shasta at Mott Road. Motorists are advised to use an alternate route.  CA IMT5 (Young) is on order from the Hirz Fire.

The Delta Fire is burning near Interstate-5 near the Vollmers Exit north of Lakehead. I

The Shasta County Sheriff’s Office is conducting evacuations on both sides of I-5 north of Lakehead to the Shasta/Siskiyou county line.