(UPDATED at 6:16 p.m. PDT July 27, 2018)
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”:
No, this is not a tornado. The Carr Fire in Shasta County created this rotation updraft. #CarrFire #California pic.twitter.com/CVvcafJBGK
— ABC10 (@ABC10) July 27, 2018
(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.
Awful to see this devastation in Redding, CA. #CarrFire WATCH @ABC7 at 11am for updates. #abc7eyewitness pic.twitter.com/OL4Qagl2pa
— Marc Cota-Robles (@abc7marccr) July 27, 2018
(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.
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.
