Fire at a glance (numbers)

  • Incident Name: Salt, Shasta Lake
  • State: CA
  • Lead Agency: SHF
  • Size (acres): 12,660
  • Percent Contained: 95%
  • Estimate of Containment: July 21, 2021
  • Personnel: 185
  • Structures Destroyed: 41

Salt, Shasta-Trinity NF, USFS. Three miles south of Lakehead, CA. Chaparral, timber and short grass. Minimal fire behavior with smoldering. Several communities threatened. Area closures in effect.

July 18, 2021 at 9:06 AM

The new start from Friday has been completely lined and mopped-up to a depth of 100 feet. Today the focus will be on continuing mop-up and patrolling the Salt Fire. The Salt Fire is sitting at 12,660 acres and 95% containment, with 185 personnel working on the fire. Mangment of the fire will transition to a local Type 4 organization on Monday July 19, 2021.

Fire activity is limited to smoldering with isolated pockets of fuel burning down in the interior.

Due to the exceptional drought in Northern California, fuels are uncharacteristically dry, and long hot days are influencing fire behavior and increasing resistance to control. Spotting has a 100% probability of ignition.

ERC 97th percentile and BI at 99th percentile

July 15, 2021 at 8:39 AM

The fire remains at 12,650 acres and has risen to 95% containment. There are 195 personnel working on the fire. Significant progress has been made on suppression repair and firefighters are seeking out and any remaining scattered hot spots.

July 13, 2021 at 9:03 AM

Firefighters are continuing to monitor and strengthen containment lines while they conduct suppression repair.

July 10, 2021 at 8:56 PM

Minimal fire behavior with smoldering observed. Evacuation Orders have been lifted. Repopulation continues where safely possible. Threat remains to campground, resorts, and RV parks. Road and area closures in effect. Transition to the local unit planned for 7/12. California Type 1, Team 2 (Minton) is in command.

July 9, 2021 at 11:10 AM

EVACUATION UPDATE: The Evacuation WARNINGS for Delta School Road, Delta Road, and all of Lakehead west and east of I-5 are being lifted. All other evacuation orders and warnings remain in effect at this time.

July 9, 2021 at 8:07 AM

Evacuation orders in for southeast Gregory Creek have been lifted but Gregory Creek Road at the Interstate 5 overcrossing remains closed. Additional evacuation orders and warnings do remain in place for some areas of the fire, as efforts to contain the fire progress. Indirect containment lines have been completed near Delta Point, in the northwestern fire area.

Excessive Heat Warning is valid Friday through Monday, including the Salt Fire. Dangerous heat will impact the region through Monday with triple digit heat and low humidity. Winds will remain generally northerly during the night and southerly during the day. Gusty southerly flow will be possible in the afternoon.

Observed Weather Conditions:

Wind Speed/Max. Gust Sustained 5-10 mph gust 20 mph Temp 94-106 Direction South

RH 10-20%

Forecasted Weather for Next Operational Period:

Wind Speed/Max. Gust Sustained 3-6 mph overnight on the ridges. Temp Lows 65-75 Direction North RH 30-40%

July 8, 2021 at 10:17 AM

Evacuation orders in for southeast Gregory Creek have been lifted but Gregory Creek Road at the Interstate 5 overcrossing remains closed. Additional evacuation orders and warnings do remain in place for some areas of the fire, as efforts to contain the fire progress. Indirect containment lines have been completed near Delta Point, in the northwestern fire area. Bulldozers and hand crews are continuing to build fire containment lines toward Crane Mountain and toward Bucks Peak. Crews are conducting direct attack fire suppression operations, as well as mopping up in areas where fire activity is minimal. An unmanned aircraft is assisting firefighters by scouting areas for hazard trees and heat using video and infrared.

Salt Fire Resources: People impacted by the fire can visit https://211norcal.org/salt-fire-resources/ for details such as phone numbers and additional links to websites with more information.

July 6, 2021 at 8:43 AM

Evacuation Orders and Warnings remain in place. Interstate 5 is open and remains threatened. Additional threats include powerlines, communication infrastructure, water supply infrastructure, campgrounds, RV parks, historical sites, private timberland, and cultural sites. California Type 1, Team 2 (Minton) is in command.

July 5, 2021 at 8:48 PM

Evacuation orders and warnings remain in place for communities near the fire. The fire is very visible from Interstate 5 and firefighters ask the public to be extra cautious when driving in the area.

Yesterday the fire progressed in the northwest area towards Fenders Ferry, but last night crews were able to guide the fire down towards the Sacramento River in an effort to contain it. Today firefighters are working to continue the containment effort by bringing bulldozers off of Pollard Flat and working east towards Crane Mountain. At the same time, they will be prioritizing structure defense in both the Fenders Ferry area and Gilman Road area. Additionally, firefighters will be constructing fireline from Crane Mountain to Green Mountain to Bucks Peak; and strengthening existing fireline south and west from Bucks Peak to I-5.

July 5, 2021 at 8:17 AM

Yesterday the fire was most active on the northwest corner but continues to hold on the west and southwest sides of the fire. Additionally, crews were able to build additional fireline off of Buck’s Peak to the east / southeast edge.

A community meeting for those in the evacuation warning and order areas in the Lakehead Area will held today, Monday, July 5, 2021 at 6:00 p.m. at the Lakehead Lions Club, 20814 Mammoth Drive, Lakehead, CA, 96051. The meeting will be recorded and posted to the Shasta-Trinity National Forest’s Facebook page for those unable to attend. We encourage questions in advance and e-mailed to 2021.salt.ca@firenet.gov

July 4, 2021 at 7:20 PM

Active fire behavior spotting observed. Evacuation orders and Warnings remain in place. Interstate 5 is open and remains threatened. Additional threats include powerlines, communication infrastructure, water supply infrastructure, campgrounds, RV parks, historical, private timberland, and cultural sites. California Type 1, Team 2 (Minton) is in command.

July 4, 2021 at 8:59 AM

Immediate threat to life and property in the communities of Lakehead, Pollock and Riverview, Several Resorts, RV parks and primary/seasonal residences reside in the community. Spotting from rollout. The fire is established in drainage bottoms and is making sustained short headruns.

Hot and dry weather conditions as high pressure dominates the weather over the fire site through the holiday weekend. Smoky conditions expected to limit max temps a few degrees during the next couple of days. Otherwise, an upper air disturbance moving around the periphery of the high could spread some high clouds above the smoke layer over the fire area overnight, and may trigger isolated or small clusters of thunderstorms over areas well to the east of the fire site late this afternoon and overnight.

July 3, 2021 at 8:47 PM

Evacuation orders and warnings remain in place. Interstate 5 is open and remains threatened. Additional threats include powerlines, communication infrastructure, water supply infrastructure, campgrounds, RV parks, historical, private timberland, and cultural sites. California Type 1, Team 2 (Minton) is in command.

July 3, 2021 at 8:43 AM

Evacuation orders and warnings remain in place for communities near the fire. Crews will work today to prioritize structure protection on the fire, including north and west of Gilman Road, and around Salt Creek. Other priorities include protecting private timber lands within the fire area, and maintaining the I5 corridor.

Evacuation Orders:

· Fenders Ferry Rd. between I-5 and Gilman Rd.

· Zola Drive

· Cordes Court

· Solus Campground Road

· Toms Head Road

· Antlers View Road

· Old Mill Road

· Residents of Gregory Creek Road should shelter in place or go to Gregory Creek Beach.

· East of I-5 from Antlers Road to Riverview Drive

Evacuation Warnings:

· Delta School Rd.

· Delta Rd.

· West of I-5 from the south end of Lakeshore Drive to the north end of Lakeshore Drive.

Evacuation Center: Evacuation Center being set up at Central Valley HS, Shasta Lake, CA, 96019

Road Closures:

· Fenders Ferry Road at Dog Creek Road.

· Gilman Road at the top of the hill

· Riverview Drive at the I-5 on/off ramp and Lakeshore Drive at the I-5 on/off ramp.

July 1, 2021 at 9:10 PM

Extreme fire behavior with uphill runs and long range spotting.

Structures are threatened, with the communities of Lakehead and surrounding areas under Evacuation Orders. Additional threats include powerlines, communication infrastructure, water supply infrastructure, campgrounds, rv parks, historical and cultural sites.

California Type 1, Team 2 (Minton) is assigned and scheduled to assume command at 0600 tomorrow morning.

July 1, 2021 at 12:05 PM

An evacuation WARNING is being issued for Fenders Ferry Road between I-5 and Gilman Road. All other evacuation orders and warnings remain in effect.

July 1, 2021 at 8:23 AM

 The fire remained active overnight, fire personnel worked at keeping the fire east of Interstate 5, putting line in along the highway on the southernmost point of the fire before the winds shifted. Firefighters also provided point structure protection for residences in the fire areas. There were a few spot fires along the west side of Interstate 5, firefighters took action and were able to contain the spot fires before they could get big. A type 1 incident management team has been ordered and are in route to the incident.

Southbound I-5 is now open, approximately 1 mile south of Lakehead.

Northbound I-5 is now open, approximately 10 miles north of Redding, at Fawndale.

June 30, 2021 at 7:48 PM

Per Shasta County Sheriff: For the #SaltFire burning in the Lakehead area north of Redding. Evacuation ORDERS are now being issued for the area East of I-5 from Antlers Road to Riverview Drive. Additionally, there is now an evacuation WARNING being issued for the area west of I-5 from the south end of Lakeshore Drive to the north end of Lakeshore Drive.

June 30, 2021 at 7:14 PM

Fire continues to exhibit rapid spread with torching and spotting observed.

The Salt Fire on the Shasta Trinity NF is burning East of I-5 near the Salt creek exit south of Lakehead, CA  Initial report on conditions was 5 acres progressing east and north, moderate to rapid rate of spread. 

 A full fire response of engines, crews and aerial fire support Including very large airtankers (VLAT) are either on scene or responding to the incident with additional resources on order.

Evacuation Orders are in place for: Zola Drive, Cordes Court, and Solus Campground Road, Tom Head, Old Mill Road, Antlers View Road and Toms Head Road. Evacuation center is Central Valley High School. Residents of Gregory Creek Road should shelter in place or go to Gregory Creek Beach.

Evacuation Warning are in place for  Lakehead area east of I-5 to Riverview Drive. All previous evacuations remain in effect. Road closures: SB I-5 off ramp to Gilman Road/Salt Creek, Salt Creek Road at Statton, and Gilman Road at the top of the hill.