NorCal Firefighters Brace for High Winds, Red Flag Warning Issued

As Northern California fires rage on, firefighters are bracing for forecasts of a hot, dry and very windy weekend. CalFire even issued a Red Flag Warning, the highest alert which may result in extreme fire behavior.

It’s been a very busy beginning to NorCal fire season, where thousands of people have been evacuated from their homes from five different fires. The Pawnee Fire is still ravaging Lake County at 13,700 acres and 40 percent containment.

While firefighters continue to battle wildfires on the front line, it’s important to mention that the Red Flag Warning is also precaution against starting new fires. It’s important to follow tips to help prevent wildfires. For more information, go to www.PreventWildfireCA.org.

Here’s an update of the current fires in Norther California:

Pawnee Fire

As of Thursday, the massive Pawnee Fire sits at 13,700 acres and 40 percent containment. The fire grew 200 acres since Wednesday morning, but is 15 percent more contained. It damaged two additional structures, leading to a total of six structures damaged, 22 destroyed and 600 threatened. No firefighters or civilians have been injured, Cal Fire said in a news release.

Some residents were able to return to their homes, while others didn’t fair so well:

My Uncle sifting through what used to be his home. #PawneeFire pic.twitter.com/w2nWGSq4X5

— SleeplessMom (@SleeplessMomYT) June 28, 2018

Hyatt Fire

The Hyatt Fire started on Wednesday afternoon in Lassen County and has since grown to 400 acres. Firefighters were able to engage the fire quickly, containing it to 40 percent by Thursday. One home has been lost and one person was transported to the hospital.

Closer view of the #HyattFire. The red is retardant. Police on scene don’t know right now about the cause, acreage, or structures threatened. pic.twitter.com/c5lQrfDv9e

— Brenna Greene (@BrennaGreene_) June 27, 2018

Lane Fire

The Lane Fire, located near Red Bluff in Tehama County, sits at almost 4,000 acres but has 83 percent containment. The fire hasn’t grown since Wednesday and with the aggressive work of firefighters, no structures were lost and no one was injured.

🚩Red Flag fire danger again toady! #reddingfirefighters responded 3 engines to the #stollfire and #lanefire last night. E-15, Cal OES 8333 & 324, and overhead. pic.twitter.com/hh4jOdp3W7

— Redding Firefighters (@reddingff_1934) June 24, 2018

Creek Fire

The Creek Fire began with blazes dangerously reminiscent of the 2013 Clover Fire in the same area, but with hard work from firefighters, the blaze is now 75 percent contained. The Shasta County fire burned 1,500 acres.