As of last reports late Sunday evening, the Delta fire first reported Wednesday afternoon, September 5th, just before 1:00 pm, had consumed over 22,000 acres by Thursday evening, has added an additional 23,000 acres over the weekend and now sits at approximately 45,000 acres with just 5% containment.
The Delta Fire still poses a very real threat to citizens and Interstate 5. Each day fires resurface along the interstate making it unsafe for vehicular travel which necessitates its continued closure. In the interest of public safety two hard closures have been established: 1) Northbound Interstate 5 at Riverview Drive; 2) Southbound Interstate 5 at Flume Creek Road. Only emergency vehicles, utility company staff repairing critical infrastructure, and timber land employees assisting with fire mitigation efforts will be allowed through the hard closures and will remain closed until further notice.
Firefighters achieved the first five percent of containment on the Delta Fire after tying in a large section of the eastern edge with the Hirz Fire. Active fire growth continued under heavy smoke cover and lower than forecasted humidity. Crews are continuing to focus on holding primary control lines and protecting threatened homes, communities, and natural resources while maintaining life and safety as a top priority.
Engines and hand crews are actively working on structure protection on the western flank of the fire near Trinity Lake. Fire activity is beginning to back down in this area as it transitions into lighter fuels. Air operations will continue here and in other areas as needed and as conditions allow. A temporary flight restriction continues to be in effect over the fire area.
Active burnout operations continue along the north and northeastern edges of the fire. New fire activity occurred primarily in drainages south of Middle Ridge. Crews will focus on tying this area in with a frontage road directly west of Interstate 5 to support the stabilization of the northern section of the affected highway corridor. Firefighters are continuing structure protection efforts to direct fire activity around buildings in the Highland Lakes area. Additional crews are continuing to strengthen and improve control lines south of Middle Ridge and Sweetbriar Ridge as contingency options.
Firefighters focused on putting out short-range spot fires and completing burnout operations above Dog Creek Road in the southeast area. Efforts in this area continue to focus on primary control lines to limit growth toward the communities of Riverview, Pollock, and Lakehead. Crews are continuing to prepare Carr Fire contingency lines as control for southwest progression of the Delta Fire.
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