Carr Fire burns into Redding

Two firefighters have been killed while fighting the fire

(UPDATED at 6:16 p.m. PDT July 27, 2018)

perimeter Carr Fire
Map showing the perimeter of the Carr Fire (the red line) based on an infrared mapping flight at 12:34 a.m. PDT July 27, 2018. The red dots represent heat detected by a satellite at 1:36 p.m. PDT July 27, 2018. Click to enlarge.

To see all articles about the Carr Fire on Wildfire today including the most current, click here.

Some people think this rotating column fit the definition of a “fire tornado”:


(UPDATED at 4:25 p.m. PDT July 27, 2018)

An Associated Press reporter has counted at least 125 homes destroyed by the Carr Fire at Redding, California. The official count from CAL FIRE is 65 structures destroyed.

To see all articles about the Carr Fire on Wildfire today including the most current, click here.

Over 800 California National Guard personnel are assisting statewide in a variety of ways. The National Guard is also operating a Reaper Unmanned Aerial System, or drone, that provides real time imagery to help firefighters on the ground to make better decisions.

At least two California National Guard C-130 aircraft have been activated and outfitted with Modular Airborne FireFighting Systems (MAFFS), able to drop up to 3,000 gallons of retardant.

Many areas around Redding are under mandatory evacuation orders.


(UPDATED at 10:09 a.m. PDT July 27, 2018)

CAL FIRE, the National Park Service, and the Shasta County Sheriff’s Office announced at 7:15 a.m. Friday July 27 that a second firefighter has died on the Carr Fire near Redding California. Pending notification of next of kin, they have not released the person’s name, only that the firefighter worked for the Redding Fire Department.

Earlier Friday morning CAL FIRE reported that a contractor operating a dozer had been killed.

An update at 8:10 a.m Friday from CAL FIRE included the information that the Carr Fire has destroyed 65 structures, but did not indicate whether any of them were residences. The agency is now calling it 44,450 acres, up from the 28,000 figure released Thursday night.

The weather forecast for the northwest side of Redding for Friday calls for 102 degrees, heat index of 108, single-digit relative humidity, and variable winds 3 to 13 mph. Similar conditions are expected through Monday. The lack of strong winds and zero chance of thunderstorms is good news for firefighters, but the heat and low relative humidity will continue to be a problem. A Red Flag Warning is in effect Friday for the fire area.


(Originally published at 6 a.m. PDT July 27, 2018)

The Carr Fire turned deadly with the announcement by CAL FIRE early Friday that a contract dozer operator was killed while fighting the fire.

The fire started Monday July 23 but became extremely active Wednesday and Thursday running southeast and into the city limits of Redding, California. CAL FIRE reported Thursday night that 15 structures have been destroyed.

Evacuations are in place in many areas on the west and north sides of Redding.

map Carr Fire
Map showing the perimeter of the Carr Fire based on an infrared mapping flight at 12:34 a.m. PDT July 27, 2018. Click to enlarge.

About 1,748 personnel are working on the fire, including 110 fire engines, 51 hand crews, 10 helicopters, 22 dozers, and 34 water tenders.

CAL FIRE reported Thursday night that the fire has burned about 28,000 acres. But more current satellite data early Friday morning shows it has expanded to at least 45,000 acres.

We send our sincere condolences to the family, friends and co-workers of the dozer operator, who has not yet been identified.

We will update this article as more information becomes available.

Typos, let us know HERE, and specify which article. Please read the commenting rules before you post a comment.

Author: Bill Gabbert

After working full time in wildland fire for 33 years, he continues to learn, and strives to be a Student of Fire.

12 thoughts on “Carr Fire burns into Redding”

  1. hello, first my condolences for your loss, it never fails to amaze me how brave people are!! I have family in Placerville are they safe? every site I went to sent me to older fires, from last year and older so could not get good info, they have already suffered one house fire due to bad wiring and a propane tank. Thank you for any info you have. I live in Washington State and we are struggling with our wildfires as well.

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  2. I can’t figure out what “Carr Fire”means. I don’t know if Carr is the county, a city or what. It say things about Carr fire in Redding Ca. Would you possibly be able to explain what I am confused about . Thank you

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    1. Cindy, all wildland fires are named, so that we can tell one from another when we’re talking about them, dispatching resources, or keeping track of expenditures. Typically the name comes from something near the point of origin, such as a road, trail, or geographical feature. This fire started from a vehicle fire, perhaps that is where “Carr” came from. Maybe there was already a fire named “Car”, so they added a letter to make them different. I’m guessing here.

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      1. It is called the Carr Fire because its point of origin was near the Judge Francis Carr powerhouse.

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  3. I have been a Firedozer-Wildland firefighter in Northeast Florida for 24 years,there have been a few times in my career where,l asked myself on a Fire (lm in a dangerous situation,and How the heck do l get oit of here(LCES) Breakdown!!!May his spirtit be celebrating in the heavens my brother,we Dozercrews understand those situations.Last call R.I.P

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  4. Heat index of 108 jumped out at me.
    That index with temp at 102 indicates a RH of about 33% (dewpoint 68).
    Single digit RH would indicate heat index no higher than 96.
    Perhaps someone added 6 instead of subtracting.

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  5. Very sad about the deaths of the two individuals working the fire.

    WRT to the poll about NIFC going to level 5, I’m thinking that the current fire situation in CA makes that imminent, possibly occurring with today’s evening report.

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  6. This Friday morning, Redding Fire is also reporting a firefighter lost their life during the night. No further information at this time. At one point last night, fire dispatch sent out the remarkable message that due to the chaotic nature of the fire, firefighters were to only work on personal and civilian safety, not even to worry about structure protection.

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  7. Do you know if Camp Sherman in the San Bernardino Mountains near Mountain Center is OK? The fie is pretty close. Thank you.

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