Mandatory evacuations ordered for Shasta County’s Green Fire
The Shasta County Sheriff’s Office has issued a mandatory evacuation order for residents near the Green Fire, a lightning-started wildfire that has been burning since July 1 near Shasta Lake, according to a Saturday news release from the U.S. Forest Service.
The fire is 0% contained and has so far burned 8,395 acres, the release said.
An evacuation warning was upgraded to a mandatory evacuation order on Friday evening for zone LKH-1448-A, according to the Sheriff’s Office and Forest Service. Three other nearby evacuation zones were also under evacuation warnings. Shasta County has issued a smoke advisory that extends through Sunday.
Two “Super Scooper” aircraft were set to arrive at the fire Saturday and begin operations Sunday, the release said. They will use multiple arms of Shasta Lake as their water source. Authorities are advising boaters using the lake to use caution.
Hot and dry conditions, winds, and other factors caused the fire to produce substantial smoke plumes and fire growth Friday, the release said. The fire reached areas of the Brock Mountain Road which serves as a primary containment line. About 2 acres burned across the road, but crews were able to limit growth.
Toward the Pit River, which also serves as a containment feature, the fire has continued to slowly back down the river, the release said.
Sunday will bring similar conditions to Saturday, with forecast temperatures approaching 100 degrees, the news release said. Smoke plumes will be visible through Monday, and there’s a slight chance of thunderstorms to the north of the fire Sunday.
