Growth slows for 58,000-acre Delta Fire as Northern California winds calm

Growth continues to slow on the Delta Fire burning in Shasta County, with evacuations ended in some areas and restrictions lifted for trucks on Interstate 5 Wednesday night.

The wildfire reached 58,427 acres with 17 percent containment as of Thursday’s 7 a.m. incident report by Cal Fire.

Reduced fire behavior was noted in the report as gusty wind conditions diminished.

Late Wednesday, California Highway Patrol and Caltrans officials lifted all truck restrictions and reopened rest areas. Several ramps remained closed. Flammable vehicles are still not allowed on the 45-mile stretch and must use the Highway 299 detour.

The wildfire is considered human-caused, but other details on the cause are still under investigation.

As flames and smoke approached I-5 at the outset of the fire last week, about 17 big rigs were abandoned by truckers, with at least four of those trucks consumed by flames, CHP reported.

Some mandatory evacuation orders were lifted Wednesday afternoon for residents in select areas of Shasta County.

An evacuation shelter remains set up at the National Guard Armory in Mount Shasta. A shelter in Redding on Mercy Oaks Drive was on standby Wednesday morning, ready to reopen if needed. Officials say the blaze is expected to be fully contained by Saturday, Sept. 22.

More up-to-date evacuation information can be found on the Delta Fire’s Inciweb page.

This story was originally published September 13, 2018 at 9:21 AM with the headline "Growth slows for 58,000-acre Delta Fire as Northern California winds calm."