[UPDATE 4:50 p.m.: Controlled Traffic ] Hwy 299 Is Closed After Head-on Crash Leads to Wildfire

Hwy 299 is closed, according to Caltrans, and a wildfire is spreading after a big rig and an SUV collided head-on just east of the Whiskeytown Lake. The big rig became fully engulfed in fire. Flames spread up the southside of Hwy 299 and along the roadway.

Please remember that this story is unfolding. Information is being reported as we gather it. However, some of the information coming from witnesses and initial official reports could be wrong. We will do our best to get the facts but, in the case that something is inaccurate, we will update with correct information as soon as we can.

UPDATE 12:51 p.m.: Caltrans reports, “Eastbound and Westbound State Route 299 is closed at Rock Creek Rd approx 7 miles west of Redding (Shasta County) due to a accident. A detour is available. Motorists should expect a delay and to use an alternate route.”

UPDATE 12:56 p.m.: In this closer view of the crash scene taken just after 12 noon, black smoke pours from the engulfed big rig.

UPDATE 1 p.m.: The CHP Traffic Incident Information Page is now reporting this is a fatal crash.

UPDATE 1:05 p.m.: This image shows the location of the fire to the lake.

UPDATE 1:08 p.m.:  According Cal Fire Shasta, “@CALFIRESHU is in unified command with Whiskeytown National Park at a 25 acre vegetation fire on HWY 299 & Kennedy Memorial Dr #ShastaCounty #KennedyFire.”

UPDATE 1:20 p.m.: Caltrans District 2 reports, “State Route 299 is closed to eastbound traffic at Whiskey Creek Road and to westbound traffic at Buenaventura Blvd. in Redding. This will be a long term closure and no detour is available.”

UPDATE 1:25 p.m.: AlertWildfire Cam caught this plane dropping retardant just minutes ago.

UPDATE 2 p.m.: The Redding News team interviewed a CHP officer here: https://twitter.com/BreakingNews_RS/status/1560367571320205312 He says the driver of the SUV which drifted over the line is dead. And the driver of the big rig was out of his vehicle and active.

UPDATE 2:33 p.m.: Firis gives a great overview of the fire and states that the latest acreage is 34 acres.

OES Intel 12, Aug 18th on the #KennedyFire, SHF/Whiskey National Park. Fire is mapped at 34 acres. pic.twitter.com/fDVN17Mnnp

— FIRIS (@FIRIS) August 18, 2022

In potential good news, the fire is slowing down and a few resources have been released. However, there is no official word yet that forward spread has been stopped.

UPDATE 5 p.m.: Caltrans has not released official word but the CHP Traffic Incident Information Page reports that traffic is moving slowly in both directions. And, Caltrans QuickMap states, “State Route 299 is reduced to one lane with traffic control from Old Shasta, 6 miles west of Redding, to the Whiskeytown Visitor’s Center, 8 miles west of Redding, due to a vehicle collision and vegetation fire. No detour available. Motorists should expect delays.”