[UPDATE 8:25 a.m.: One of the Dead Is a Redding City Firefighter] Two Dead and Thousands Displaced as Carr Fire Tears Into Redding

Building on fire near the town of Shasta yesterday afternoon.

Building on fire off Hwy 299 on Buell Alley in the town of Shasta yesterday afternoon. [Photo by Mark McKenna]

Another night of unbelievable devastation as the Carr Fire burned into western Redding. A bulldozer operator and a firefighter are dead and the flames have burned an as yet uncounted number of structures and forced the evacuations of thousands of residents yesterday. The fire is now estimated to be 44,450 acres and only 3% contained.

Smoke billowing from the Carr Fire over Whiskeytown lake

Smoke billowing from the Carr Fire over Whiskeytown Lake yesterday afternoon. [Photo by Mark McKenna]

And today the National Weather Service warns of Red Flag conditions–prime for wildfires to burn hot and spread quickly–with temperatures pushing up to 105 to 110 degrees. Humidity may drop down to 6% and West winds expected to pick up around 2 p.m. which may push the fire to move even faster into the city of Redding.

The fire has been throwing embers and spotting up to one mile ahead so firefighters will be watching for that today also. The conditions in the early evenings of the last few days have fed the fire and firefighters will be looking for more of the same starting around 5 p.m.

For more on the latest evacuations and road closures, go here.

Maps:

  • Operations Map –to see details either zoom or click on the map and download a pdf.

    operations Map Carr Fire

    Operations Map Carr Fire compiled about 1:30 a.m.

  • Heat Map–to see details either zoom or click on the map and download a pdf.

    Heat map of the Carr Fire

    Heat map of the Carr Fire created from imagery taken just after midnight.

  • KMZ Map–Zoom for detail or for 3D imagery, click on the map and download a file that connects with your Google Earth program.

    Heat imagery over Google Earth map compiled a little after midnight.

UPDATE 8:25 a.m.: According to a Cal Fire spokesperson, there were two fatalities. One was a “private hired dozer operator” yesterday afternoon. The other death was “a Redding city firefighter.” The spokesperson wasn’t able to provide information about where the deaths occurred nor about their circumstances. He did say, “The families are being notified. We are still in the fact-gathering portion of the incident.”

In addition, he said that there were “three minor injuries to firefighters and some reports of minor injuries to civilians but we do not have a count.”

UPDATE: Images From the Carr Fire and the Smouldering Devastation Left Behind It

Earlier Chapters:

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31 Comments
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Guest
Guest
Guest
5 years ago

Thank you. Kym, your reporting is clear, concise and useful. Such a horrifying situation.

Just me
Guest
Just me
5 years ago

Thanks for the great reporting and photos! Mark, great job, please stay safe!

Dena Baker
Guest
Dena Baker
5 years ago

Thank you Kym.

The hills have eyez
Guest
The hills have eyez
5 years ago

Hey Kym, do you know if our power around Humboldt Bay is routed through redding?

sparky 50
Guest
5 years ago

No it is not

Christine
Guest
Christine
5 years ago

We need to drive from Arcata to Chico two days from now. Any advice from readers on which route to take? (299 to 3 to 36 vs. straight 36)

Local girl
Guest
Local girl
5 years ago
Reply to  Christine

I would stay off 299 and 3 completely…too close to fire and personnel . Take 36 or the long way 20

Bushytails
Guest
Bushytails
5 years ago
Reply to  Christine

I’d take 36 the whole way.

Nick
Guest
Nick
5 years ago
Reply to  Christine

I’d rather walk than take hwy 36. We always take hwy 20 through Clear Lake. Its a much easier drive.

Sunshine
Guest
Sunshine
5 years ago
Reply to  Christine

I would totally avoid the 299 and 3. I drove from Eureka to Redding yesterday and back on the 36. There was a lot of smoke and ash as you entered Redding from the South. The 36 was closed from 8-12 in the construction zone, so we had to wait in a long line of traffic until noon. I’m glad CalTrans decided to open up the 36 later in the day. According to a local we met waiting on the road, the 36 has been closed for a year except for a few hours a day. Not only does it seem a little extreme to deal with everyday, it did not make since that the road wasn’t open when there is a massive fire and the 299 closed, which obviously effects travelers but more importantly people fleeing the fire or trying to get to their property or fight the fire! I saw a lot of heavy equipment coming from Redding on the 36 and then using the 3 to get to the fire.

Me_too
Guest
Me_too
5 years ago
Reply to  Christine

Take 20. Its It’s way better.

Ice
Guest
Ice
5 years ago
Reply to  Christine

Due to people needing Hwy. 36 because of the fire it is open 24 hours a day now. Construction is halted until the emergency is over…

Tracy Katelman
Guest
Tracy Katelman
5 years ago

We need to get air masks from Redway up to Eureka today to get over to Redding. Who can help? Please check our Pay it Forward Humboldt facebook page to help, or let me know. Thanks!

Good job Tracey
Guest
Good job Tracey
5 years ago
Reply to  Tracy Katelman

Call some of the businesses who do that route; rendezvous vending comes to mind or beer dristrubutors

Tracy Katelman
Guest
Tracy Katelman
5 years ago
Reply to  Tracy Katelman

Looks like we’ve got them already. Thanks SoHum!

William
Guest
William
5 years ago
Reply to  Tracy Katelman

Did you find anyone? I can help I’m going that way today from loleta.

Ice
Guest
Ice
5 years ago
Reply to  Tracy Katelman

The only safe masks with wildland fire smoke are n95 or n100 masks. Plain dust masks only break particles smaller and they lodge deeper into the lungs. This is why you don’t see wildland firefighters wearing masks..no one has come up with a safe one that filters properly and doesnt cause heat exhaustion or reduce oxygen intake…

Evie
Guest
Evie
5 years ago

We can’t thank you enough for your excellent coverage of the Carr fire.

Rolo
Guest
Rolo
5 years ago

I am deeply saddened to learn that two firefighters have lost their lives trying to stop this monster. Very sorry also for the people who have lost homes. I pray everyone will stay safe and no more lives will be lost. God bless.

Pay it Forward
Guest
Pay it Forward
5 years ago

To get help to the folks in Redding and the surrounding area, check in with the Pay it Forward Humboldt FB group. Things like air masks are needed immediately, especially for the young, elderly and those with respiratory problems.

VHDA
Guest
VHDA
5 years ago

Yet another terrifying fire. My thoughts and prayers go out to the loved ones of the brave fire fighters and the citizens of Redding.

Al
Guest
Al
5 years ago

Great reporting.

Old Activist
Guest
Old Activist
5 years ago

Nature bites back. All those subdivisions and overbuilding (and hoarding, as seen by the first picture). People running for their lives is a terrible thing. The wild being exploited, just as bad.

KH
Guest
KH
5 years ago

This is just so terrifying and sad! God bless our firefighters & first responders, also the people affected. We all need to be very, very cautious as this could be us. One carelessly tossed ciggy butt, campfire, glass bottle, hot muffler in dry grass or vehicle dragging chain are but a few causes. Please pay attention to what you are doing folks & the consequences of your actions!!

That sauce
Guest
That sauce
5 years ago

44,000 acres…Jesus. Anyone know roughly how many miles that’s is?

Ben Round
Guest
Ben Round
5 years ago

Is there a precedent of having 2 wildfires, in less than a year, burn into (medium+) size cities in CA?
Between this one and the one in Santa Rosa, these are great losses!

Guest
Guest
Guest
5 years ago
Reply to  Ben Round

1871 produced at least 3 wild fires that burned into and through several cities in Michigan and Wisconsin. They were driven by the same things as here- high temperatures and wind.

bearjew
Guest
bearjew
5 years ago

global warming and weather pattern shifts meet overgrown saddle tanning and doug fir plantations… people need to start viewing northwest ca as a desert with lots of tanoak plantation trees littering the landscape, sadly. That’s becoming the sad truth of it. Firebreaks and “tree removal” make lots of sense… preventative maintanence needed…

Jane doe
Guest
Jane doe
5 years ago

Yes Kym, thank you for great reporting! Glad there is a Reheaded Blackbelt!

Zoltan
Guest
Zoltan
5 years ago

Farming drawing water to farms and sea is causing desertification.Cadillac Desert.salination in California.

Joan Dunning
Guest
Joan Dunning
5 years ago
Reply to  Zoltan

I am reading Cadillac Desert now. An excellent old classic about California’s water history. Recommend it. A sadly compelling page-turner.