On Wednesday afternoon, September 5th, just before 1:00pm, the Delta Fire was reported just north of Lakehead, California. It has closed Interstate 5 and continues to keep Northbound Interstate 5 closed at the Fawndale exit as well as Southbound Interstate 5 3.6 miles south of Mt. Shasta at Mott Rd. Motorists are advised to use an alternate route and avoid the area.
The Delta Fire continued to grow aggressively throughout the evening and overnight growing to over 22,000 acres in the first 36 hours with a large flaming front and flame lengths estimated at 300 feet high. The fire has grown primarily to the north and northwest of Vollmers, burning on both sides of Interstate 5.
Life safety is a top priority for firefighters, and the Shasta County Sheriff’s Office is coordinating evacuations for areas affected by the incident. Crews have worked to anchor the south end of the fire along Dog Creek. To stop the fire’s northern spread and protect structures east of Interstate 5, firefighters have started a backfiring operation off a road that runs east from Pollard Flats to Hirz Fire’s western side near Salt Creek Road. Many of the eastern Hirz Fire contingency lines may be used in the efforts to control the Delta Fire.
Weather is expected to continue to be hot and dry with gusty winds that have the possibility to increase fire behavior. Firefighters are working quickly to protect communities and structures immediately threatened by the fire. Dozers are being mobilized to construct fuel breaks and control lines north of the fire front to assist with protecting life and property. Aircraft will be used extensively for water and retardant drops in order to assist with protecting values at risk and slowing the fire’s progression.
Numerous structures are threatened, and the Shasta County Sheriff’s Office has issued mandatory evacuations for residents along the Interstate 5 corridor from exit 707 at Vollmers north to exit 714 at Gibson.
The Trinity County Sheriff’s Office has issued a mandatory evacuation notice for residents of East Fork Road to Ramshorn Road east to Shasta-Trinity County line. There will be a hard road closure at East Side and East Fork Road for non-residents.
There is an Evacuation Advisory only from the East Fork/East Side Road junction west to Highway 3 northward to Ramshorn Road.
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