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Yahoo
4 days ago
- Climate
- Yahoo
Green Fire update: Blaze burning 5,914 acres in Shasta-Trinity forest
The Green Fire continued to spread north of Lake Shasta on Friday, with no containment, as temperatures soared and light wind picked up. The wildfire burning in the Shasta-Trinity National Forest grew to 5,914 acres overnight, up from 5,037 acres Thursday afternoon, according to the U.S. Forest Service. The Green Fire remained east of Interstate 5 and 8 miles west of Montgomery Creek in Shasta County. It's burning in an area northeast of Gray Rocks and west of Fenders Ferry Road, firefighters reported. Crews are battling very dry conditions, made worse by a heat wave that began Thursday. The National Weather Service issued a heat advisory for Shasta County and throughout the North State, in effect through 11 p.m. Monday. Afternoon temperatures in the Redding area warm to 110 on Friday, with weekend highs around 108, according to the forecast. People should stay indoors in air conditioning during hottest times of the day to avoid heat-related health issues, public health branches cautioned. When they do go outdoors, people should also avoid breathing Green Fire and other wildfire smoke, Shasta County Public Health announced. Visitors should avoid fire areas and watch for emergency vehicles, Shasta-Trinity National Forest staff cautioned. More: Poor air quality affects you even if you don't smell smoke, California: Air pollution explained The forest service closed trails and campgrounds near the fire, including the Hirz Recreation Complex, Chirpchatter Campground and picnic area, Potem Falls Trail and Madrone Campground and picnic area. An evacuation warning issued by the Shasta County Sheriff's Office, remained in place Friday morning. People in Zone LKH-1448 — between Montgomery Creek and O'Brian/Interstate 5 — should be prepared to evacuate if the county instructs them to do so, the sheriff's office said. That zone is north of Bully Hill; south of Satin Peak and Bagley Mountain; east of Nosoni, Salt Creek and Minnesota Mountains; and west of Kettle Mountain. The fire started on July 1 north of the Pit River arm of Lake Shasta, and south of the Chirpchatter Campground, according to the forest service. That area is about 8 miles west of Round Mountain, according to Cal Fire maps. Note to readers: If you appreciate the work we do here at the Redding Record Searchlight, please consider subscribing yourself or giving the gift of a subscription to someone you know. Evacuation orders and warnings are called by zone. To find out your zone, type your address at If you're away from home and not sure of your address, users can find their location on the site's map. Jessica Skropanic is a features reporter for the Record Searchlight/USA Today Network. She covers science, arts, social issues and news stories. Follow her on Twitter @RS_JSkropanic and on Facebook. Join Jessica on Record Searchlight Facebook groups Get Out! Nor Cal , Today in Shasta County and Shaping Redding's Future. To support and sustain this work, please subscribe today. Thank you. This article originally appeared on Redding Record Searchlight: Green Fire in Shasta County spreads to 5,914 acres with no containment
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Poor air affects you even if you don't smell wildfire smoke: Air pollution explained
Smoke from the Green Fire and other wildfires burning in and near Shasta County are polluting the air over the North State. The Shasta County Air Quality Management District and Shasta County Health and Human Services Agency advised people — especially those with health issues — to stay indoors when air is smoky. However, just because you don't smell smoke doesn't mean the air is clean, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Here's where Shasta County's air is smokiest and how air can be polluted even without that smoke smell. While smoke can fill the air at any time, according to forecasters, Redding, Shasta Lake and Anderson will get more smoke as it settles into the valley at night and early in the mornings, public health said. Areas most affected by Green Fire smoke are Bella Vista, Palo Cedro, Shingletown, Round Mountain, Big Bend and Burney, according to the county. Note to readers: If you appreciate the work we do here at the Redding Record Searchlight, please consider subscribing yourself or giving the gift of a subscription to someone you know. While wildfire smoke is unhealthy, people and animals are also at health risk from what they can't smell. Fires send a mixture of smoke and tiny particles called PM 2.5 — particulate matter — into the air. When you smell smoke, you're actually smelling just the gases, not the particles, said University of California, San Francisco pulmonologist Dr. John Balmes, an expert on the respiratory and cardiovascular effects of air pollution. Gases and PM 2.5 are side-by-side at the site of a fire, but the particles waft higher into the air at a short distance from the flames. That's why you can have bad air — air high in PM 2.5 — without smelling smoke or gases. PM 2.5 contains "microscopic solids or liquid droplets that are so small, they can be inhaled and cause serious health problems,' according to the EPA's PM 2.5 pollution website. Air quality scientists measure the amount of PM 2.5 in the air. When air quality is ranked "unhealthy," it means there's enough PM 2.5 in the air to cause health problems, according to AirNow. The particulates "have the ability to get deep into the lung,' Balmes said. 'They cause inflammation, which is the response of the body to injury of any type. When you breathe in these fine particles to your lungs it causes injury. Once there's inflammation in the lungs, it can exacerbate lung (and) heart conditions.' When air is unhealthy, everyone should reduce the amount of time they spend outdoors if they can, the EPA warns. However, some people are especially vulnerable to the effects of bad air. When air quality is ranked "unhealthy for vulnerable groups" it means PM 2.5 are at levels that can cause problems for people with medical conditions, especially respiratory issues like asthma and heart or lung disease. Certain age groups — older adults, children and teens — are also vulnerable to problems from bad air, according to the EPA. When PM 2.5 levels are so high they can hurt anyone, air is ranked "unhealthy", "very unhealthy" or "hazardous" by the EPA. In these cases, everyone should limit prolonged exposure. The EPA's website at can tell you how much PM 2.5 is in your air. It also offers health and lifestyle advice based on that result. Here's what public health branches recommend people do when air is polluted. Limit outdoor activities. Remain indoors with the windows and doors closed. Turn on an air conditioner with a re-circulation setting, like in a vehicle. If you do go out, choose less strenuous outdoor activities. For example, go for a walk instead of a run. To learn more about particulate matter go to the California Air Resources Board website at Jessica Skropanic is a features reporter for the Record Searchlight/USA Today Network. She covers science, arts, social issues and news stories. Follow her on Twitter @RS_JSkropanic and on Facebook. Join Jessica in the Get Out! Nor Cal recreation Facebook group. To support and sustain this work, please subscribe today. Thank you. This article originally appeared on Redding Record Searchlight: Don't let poor air quality, wildfire smoke affect you, Californians
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Climate
- Yahoo
Green Fire spreads to over 8,000 acres, prompts evacuations in Shasta-Trinity forest
The Green Fire spread rapidly north of Lake Shasta, pushed by hot and dry gusty winds and very dry vegetation — prompting the county to warn of health risks from heavy smoke and to issue an evacuation order and warnings for zones in and around the blaze. The wildfire grew to 8,395 acres early Saturday, according to California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection's inter-agency report — up from 5,914 acres Friday morning. Aircraft flying over the area later on Saturday, mapped the fire's size at 9,005 acres. It burned northeast of Lake Shasta and east of the lake's Pit River arm, and over parts of Brook Mountain Lookout Road, according to the U.S. Forest Service's fire map. There's no containment on the Green Fire, the forest service reported on Friday night. The National Weather Service reported the heat wave hitting the Redding area and North State will continue through Monday, further drying air and vegetation and challenging firefighters. Note to readers: We've made this story free as an important public service to our North State communities. If you appreciate the work we do here at the Redding Record Searchlight, please consider subscribing yourself or giving the gift of a subscription to someone you know. The Green Fire's rapid spread through dry brush is pushing heavy smoke and pollution into the air. Shasta County issued a smoke advisory, in effect through Sunday. Shasta County Sheriff's office issued an evacuation order Friday night for zone LKH-1448-A, north of Kennedy Memorial Road and south of Wheeler Nursery Road, according to zone maps. People evacuating west can go to a collection point at the Gilman Road and Interstate 5 intersection, the county announced. People evacuating east toward Highway 299 can do to a collection point at Halcumb Cemetery, 29943 Highway 299 in Montgomery Creek, according to the county. Zone LKH-1448-B to the north of the Green Fire area remains under an evacuation warning, the Sheriff's office reported. That area is north of Wheeler Nursery Road. The county also issued evacuation warnings for two zones to the west of the Green Fire's zone "due to a potential threat to life and/or property. Those who require additional time to evacuate, and those with pets and livestock should leave now," the Sheriff's office announced at around 9:30 p.m. Friday. Those zones are: Zone LKH-1200 to the west of the Green Fire area — from north of Ski Island, south of Dekkas Creek, east of the McCloud River and west of Bully Hill. Zone LKH-1190 to the northwest — from north of Hirz Creek, south of the McCloud Bridge and east of Matquaw Flat. To find your zone, type your address into the search window at If you're away from home and not sure of your address, users can find their location on the site's map. The forest service also closed trails and campgrounds near the fire, including the Hirz Recreation Complex, Chirpchatter Campground and picnic area, Potem Falls Trail and Madrone Campground and picnic area. The fire started on July 1 north of the Pit River arm of Lake Shasta, and south of the Chirpchatter Campground, according to the forest service. That area is about 8 miles west of Round Mountain, according to Cal Fire maps. (This story was updated with new information.) Join Record Searchlight reporters on Record Searchlight Facebook groups Get Out! Nor Cal , Today in Shasta County and Shaping Redding's Future. To support and sustain this work, please subscribe today. Thank you. This article originally appeared on Redding Record Searchlight: Green Fire north of Redding forces evacuation order, warnings
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Climate
- Yahoo
Green Fire spreads to over 8,000 acres, prompts evacuations in Shasta-Trinity forest
The Green Fire spread rapidly north of Lake Shasta on Friday, pushed by hot and dry gusty winds and very dry vegetation — prompting the county to warn of health risks from heavy smoke and to issue an evacuation order and warnings for zones in and around the blaze. The wildfire grew to 8,087 acres late Friday night, according to California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection's inter-agency report — up from 5,914 acres that morning. It continued to burn northeast of Lake Shasta and east of the lake's Pit River arm, and over parts of Brook Mountain Lookout Road, according to the U.S. Forest Service's fire map. There's no containment on the Green Fire, the forest service reported on Friday night. The National Weather Service reported the heat wave hitting the Redding area and North State will continue through Monday, further drying air and vegetation and challenging firefighters. Note to readers: We've made this story free as an important public service to our North State communities. If you appreciate the work we do here at the Redding Record Searchlight, please consider subscribing yourself or giving the gift of a subscription to someone you know. The Green Fire's rapid spread through dry brush is pushing heavy smoke and pollution into the air. Shasta County issued a smoke advisory, in effect through Sunday. Shasta County Sheriff's office issued an evacuation order Friday night for zone LKH-1448-A, north of Kennedy Memorial Road and south of Wheeler Nursery Road, according to zone maps. People evacuating west can go to a collection point at the Gilman Road and Interstate 5 intersection, the county announced. People evacuating east toward Highway 299 can do to a collection point at Halcumb Cemetery, 29943 Highway 299 in Montgomery Creek, according to the county. Zone LKH-1448-B to the north of the Green Fire area remains under an evacuation warning, the Sheriff's office reported. That area is north of Wheeler Nursery Road. The county also issued evacuation warnings for two zones to the west of the Green Fire's zone "due to a potential threat to life and/or property. Those who require additional time to evacuate, and those with pets and livestock should leave now," the Sheriff's office announced at around 9:30 p.m. Friday. Those zones are: Zone LKH-1200 to the west of the Green Fire area — from north of Ski Island, south of Dekkas Creek, east of the McCloud River and west of Bully Hill. Zone LKH-1190 to the northwest — from north of Hirz Creek, south of the McCloud Bridge and east of Matquaw Flat. To find your zone, type your address into the search window at If you're away from home and not sure of your address, users can find their location on the site's map. The forest service also closed trails and campgrounds near the fire, including the Hirz Recreation Complex, Chirpchatter Campground and picnic area, Potem Falls Trail and Madrone Campground and picnic area. The fire started on July 1 north of the Pit River arm of Lake Shasta, and south of the Chirpchatter Campground, according to the forest service. That area is about 8 miles west of Round Mountain, according to Cal Fire maps. Join Record Searchlight reporters on Record Searchlight Facebook groups Get Out! Nor Cal , Today in Shasta County and Shaping Redding's Future. To support and sustain this work, please subscribe today. Thank you. This article originally appeared on Redding Record Searchlight: Green Fire north of Redding forces evacuation order, warnings
Yahoo
30-06-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Why Redding has earthquakes: Here's what happens in Shasta Cascade region
Earthquakes that shake the ground under Redding are a sign of something bigger happening deep below the far Northern California region, geologists say. The culprit is also responsible for much of what makes the North State a beautiful place to live: It's volcanoes. Redding residents occasionally feel reverberations from strong quakes off the Humboldt County coast, like the strong (7.0) temblor that rocked towns south of Eureka to the Bay Area on Dec. 5, 2024. But small temblors that jiggle Redding — earthquakes that may feel different from ones on the coast, come from deep in the Earth's crust below the city, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. Here's what's happening, scientists say, and what makes Redding's earthquakes different than temblors on California's North Coast. Note to readers: If you appreciate the work we do here at the Redding Record Searchlight, please consider subscribing yourself or giving the gift of a subscription to someone you know. Temblors under Redding strong enough for people to feel don't happen often, but they're normal, said Paul Caruso, a geophysicist with the USGS Earthquake Center. That's because tectonic plates stacked to the west of Shasta County are moving in opposite directions. 'The Gorda Plate is being pushed under California and Oregon,' under the North America plate on which Redding and the North State sit, Caruso said. As the Gorda Plate moves through the Earth's crust, it melts against the mantle. That's why we have Mt. Shasta, Lassen Peak and other volcanoes further inland, Caruso said. That melting makes those areas unstable, and volcanoes form. Shasta County residents often describe local earthquakes as small but loud. Some say Redding quakes imitate the sound of a small explosion. They may also describe a feeling of free falling or jerking during a Redding quake, while people in Eureka may experience longer earthquakes that feel like the ground is rolling. 'It depends which side of the fault you're on,' Caruso said. Jolting quakes, like those described in Redding, 'are more related to thrust events,' like when one plate pushes another up or down. More: Small earthquake shakes Redding Friday morning. Epicenter east of Whiskeytown No, but we know they're coming, Caruso said. Shasta and Siskiyou counties are part of the Shasta Cascade region, classified by the USGS as a moderate earthquake hazard area. That means there aren't frequent earthquakes strong enough for people to feel them, but the area does get shaken occasionally. The North State is always on the move. The Gorda Plate is moving east, and the North American plate is carrying Redding, Yreka, Mount Shasta and everything west of the Sierra Nevada farther west, according to geologists. More: Why Humboldt's coast gets major earthquakes. Could they happen in Shasta Cascade region? Scientists can study earthquake likelihood by recording the history of earthquakes in a location, mapping fault lines and measuring ground temperatures and shifts; but they don't know when the next earthquake will happen. 'We know we're going to have more earthquakes (in Redding), but they're not predictable,' Caruso said. Humboldt County has a lot of earthquakes because three tectonic plates come together near the Eel River, about 20 miles southwest of Eureka, according to Randy Reed, earth science professor at Shasta College in Redding. Earthquakes like the strong December 2024 quake happen along the Mendocino Fracture Zone, a horizontal line that juts west into the Pacific Ocean, according to NOAA, and the beginning of the San Andreas Fault. Most earthquake activity happens at the Mendocino Triple Junction near the coast, the point where the Gorda, North American and the Pacific plates come together, Reed said. That's the reason the coast gets stronger earthquakes. 'The bigger the earthquake, the longer the shake,' Caruso said. Jessica Skropanic is a features reporter for the Record Searchlight/USA Today Network. She covers science, arts, social issues and news stories. Follow her on Twitter @RS_JSkropanic and on Facebook. Join Jessica in the Get Out! Nor Cal recreation Facebook group. To support and sustain this work, please subscribe today. Thank you. This article originally appeared on Redding Record Searchlight: Earthquakes in Redding: What causes them in Shasta Cascade region?
