IAIJ
Joined: 01 May 2011 Posts: 125
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Posted: Tue Jul 31, 2018 11:31 am Post subject: Hell on Fire, Shasta County Carr Fire |
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Hell on Fire, Shasta County Carr Fire
By Brandon A. Little (USA)
Caused by a flat tire on a fifth wheel trailer throwing sparks into a dry field, the devastating Carr fire has ravaged home after home making some ask if anywhere in Redding, California is safe. It is still unknown who it was that started the initial beginning of the flames. At first, the fire began on Carr Powerhouse Rd. on Highway 299 and descended through French Gulch burning most residential areas and businesses to the ground. Shortly after the fire continued growing, following Highway 299 all the way down to Whiskeytown Lake, which lost every boat in the Oak Bottom Marina and docks around the perimeter of the lake. Nearly all of the historic town of Old Shasta, formally the city of Shasta, California, has burned to the ground. Cal-Fire fighters took extra precaution to wet the historic buildings and maintain the homes of the residents who were evacuated just after midnight Thursday morning. At that time the Carr fire had claimed 20,000 acres, in the next 24 hours it would double in size.
The next day following the evacuation of the aforementioned areas, on Friday evening power to the citizens of Shasta Lake City lost power which caused widespread panic soon after, with heat levels up to 113° F. Many rushed to get their valuables from their homes as confusion struck the media on whether or not the city was to be evacuated. ShasCom had announced residents should be prepared but are not under mandatory evacuation, but just minutes later Cal-Fire had said that Shasta Lake City was indeed under mandatory evacuation. Pileup traffic and car crashes ensued after nearly all families began to head toward Interstate 5 frantically to head south where they can stay with family which caused gridlock and extreme traffic for the rest of the night. The fire had become so terrible and large that local fire departments had to bring in prisoners from surrounding areas to help save the county.
On Friday night when the ever-courageous firefighters began to see protecting Old Shasta might be impossible with the fire burning down Highway 299 and jumping across freeways into west Redding along with the uncontrollability of the Carr fire, Cal-Fire and local fire departments decided to remove their personnel from the front lines of the damage and focus not on control, but on evacuating the remaining citizens of affected areas to safety instead. With upwards of 50,000 acres added to its numbers, the Carr fire had gained another 25-30,000 acres from the night before. At this point in time there were two confirmed fatalities: a private contract bulldozer and a firefighter both of whom gave their lives fighting this disaster for the good of everybody. Many local businesses unaffected by evacuation and fire are offering free food and drink for evacuees, and those with the space are housing citizens who have nowhere to stay.
Emergency personnel warn to be very careful when outside and watch for spot fires swelling the size of the already-devastatingly huge Carr fire of Shasta County, being at over 80,000 acres by Saturday morning. Those who still have power and media connection are urged to give accurate information and updates on the state of the fire in Shasta County to family and loved ones who do not. For the citizens who have yet to be evacuated, stay connected and pay attention to the news networks for information on whether or not you might have to leave. Most of all everyone should stay safe, hydrated, aware, and united in these trying times of emergency. |
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