Redding, CA – A long patch of Interstate 5 freeway remains closed three days after a highway inferno torched rigs and caused drivers to abandon vehicles and flee for their lives.
And there’s no timetable for opening of I-5 at this point because the Delta Fire has spread north-east and burned 31,000-acres.
More that a dozen abandoned rigs are sitting on the freeway along with burned out vehicles and debris that needs to be cleared. Caltrans continues to check for falling trees.
Detours around the closed areas are taking drivers along roads congested with agonizingly slow traffic.
The California Highway Patrol said: “Interstate 5, between Mott Road (Dunsmuir) and Fawndale Road (10 miles north of Redding), will remain closed through Sunday morning due to the active presence of fire on the freeway.”
“At this time, there is no projected date for the freeway to reopen. Interstate 5 is being closed to preserve life, property, and the safety of all motorists.”
“The Delta Fire continues to burn along both sides of the freeway with increased activity during the nighttime hours.
“The US Forest Service is actively conducting back burn and firing operations to preserve life and property.
“In addition to fire damage, Caltrans is always assessing the freeway for falling trees and other potential hazards. The CHP, and our partners, will be constantly assessing conditions in order to reopen the freeway as soon as it is safe to do so.”
A total of 1,915 personnel are trying to bring the dangerous fire under control, but the fire has raced to 31,325 acres in just three days.
Evacuations and Shelters
Shasta County Evacuations:
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.
Follow the Shasta County Sheriff’s Facebook page: www.facebook.com/Shasta-County-Sheriffs-Office-1527637610823075/
Siskiyou County Evacuations:
The Siskiyou County Sheriff’s Office has issued an evacuation warning, not a mandatory evacuation, for all residents of Dunsmuir.
Follow the Siskiyou County Sheriff’s Office Facebook page: www.facebook.com/SiskiyouCountySheriff.
Trinity County Evacuations:
The Trinity County Sheriff’s Office has issued a mandatory evacuation notice for residents of East Fork Toad to Ramshorn Road east to the Shasta Trinity County line.
There will be a hard road closure at East Side Road 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.
Follow the Trinity County Sheriff’s Office Fecebook page: https://www.facebook.com/Trinity-County-Sheriffs-Office-1635934306689276/
Evacuation Shelters:
An evacuation shelter is open at the Mount Shasta Community Center, 629 Alder Street, Mount Shasta.
A second evacuation shelter is open at Mercy Oaks, 100 Mercy Oaks Dr, Redding.
