A fire burning along Interstate 5 on the Shasta-Trinity National Forest has forced the evacuation of 100 homes. According to the Sacramento Bee, the fire north of Redding has burned 500 acres and is about 20 percent contained. Don Ferguson with the U.S. Forest Service said crews made progress overnight, but 20 more homes were added to the evacuation list.
The Salt Creek Fire started yesterday in the interstate median; it’s threatening about 20 commercial buildings and 100 other structures, and I-5 was closed for several hours. Thousands of northbound travelers were stuck in traffic in triple-digit heat on the interstate.
The fire’s burning between the O’Brien and Salt Creek exits; major KV power transmission lines are threatened. Resources on the fire include 46 engines, five dozers, six crews, three helicopters, and four airtankers. A Type 2 team will take over the fire this evening. The Redding Record Searchlight has a collection of photos online.
