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

Smoke rising from the Kennedy Fire.

Smoke rising from the Kennedy Fire. [Photo from AlertWildfire]

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.

The 15 acre Kennedy Fire

At 12:42 p.m, the 15 acre Kennedy Fire is close to the lake.

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.

The orange cone shows the view of the camera taking the photo with the caption that it was taken at 12:42 p.m.

The orange cone shows the view of the camera taking the photo with the caption that it was taken at 12:42 p.m.[Image from AlertWildfire]

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.”

@CALFIRESHU is in unified command with Whiskeytown National Park at a 25 acre vegetation fire on HWY 299 & Kennedy Memorial Dr #ShastaCounty #KennedyFire

The scene of the crash is just a smoking ruin now. But the wildfire continues to grow. [Photo from Cal Fire’s Shasta Unit]

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

At 1:23 p.m., AlertWildfire Cam caught this plane dropping retardant.

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.

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.”

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8 Comments
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The Real Brian
Member
1 year ago

Passing lane accident likely.

That’s right above the Hells Angel’s Redding Chapter, which is pictured near the black billowing smoke.

Last edited 1 year ago
The Real Brian
Member
1 year ago
Reply to  The Real Brian

Scratch that.

Muddy Black Dodge
Guest
Muddy Black Dodge
1 year ago
Reply to  The Real Brian

If you bothered to look at the pictures you would have noted that is not a passing lane area

North westCertain license plate out of thousands c
Guest
North westCertain license plate out of thousands c
1 year ago

I thought that part burned in the last fire?
The one caused by a flat tire on a camper.

Claudia Johnson
Guest
Claudia Johnson
1 year ago

We have to remember the last fire that was started around whiskey town Almost Took the city of Redding it did take the outskirts there shouldn’t be a lot to burn there Please take care of everyone and put it out soon

a neighbor
Guest
a neighbor
1 year ago

Unfortunately there’s lots still unburned there. Ready to burn again

Martin
Guest
Martin
1 year ago

My sincere condolences to the family and friends of the person that died in that crash. May they RIP. God bless.

North westCertain license plate out of thousands c
Guest
North westCertain license plate out of thousands c
1 year ago
Reply to  Martin

And stay in their own lane in heaven