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a day ago
- Climate
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Rattlesnake encounters in Redding's heat: What to do if you see or are bitten by one
Hot weather is bringing out Shasta County's shy sun-worshipping rattlesnakes, to the chagrin of humans who fear them. Native to Shasta County, the Northern Pacific rattlesnake comes out from under rocks, logs and other hidden spots to bask in Redding's heat. While they use their poisonous bite in self-defense, humans can usually avoid them. With careful human monitoring, so can their curious pets. Rattlesnakes are part of urban wildlife like skunk, opossum and raccoon, said LeeAnne Smith of Redding, a 30-year veteran with Haven Humane Society and Animal Regulation. Once displaced by human development, they may still try to survive close to their territory. At cooler times, people in the city and suburbs seldom see a rattlesnake unless they move objects in their yard or disturb one off-trail on a hike or bike. They also live on rocky cliffs, like those along the Sacramento River. The cliffs along North Hilltop Drive in Redding are "rattlesnake heaven,' Smith said. There are plenty of rodents to eat and water sources are close. But these shy snakes love hot sun, and will come out into the open almost anywhere to sunbathe in summer. People can avoid these venomous snakes, help protect pets and make their property less inviting to them. What to do if you see a rattlesnake If you encounter a rattlesnake, stay calm and back away. A misconception about rattlesnakes is they "go after" people, said Smith. The truth is they're afraid of us. Rattlesnakes are not generally aggressive toward people or pets unless provoked or threatened. They'll usually retreat if given space, according to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. 'Most of the time, the rattle of a rattlesnake is a defensive gesture," said fish and wildlife spokesman Patrick Foy in Sacramento. "They don't want to be stepped on. They want you to go away.' But they don't always rattle before they strike, Smith said. While they grow a rattle per year as they age, baby rattlesnakes are venomous as soon as they hatch. You may not get a warning sound. For a list of things people can do to avoid rattlesnakes while they're outdoors go to the California Poison Control System rattlesnake web page at Want to hear how a rattlesnake's rattle sounds from the safety of your home? Go to How to keep rattlesnakes away from your home One way to avoid rattlesnakes is to make your property less attractive to them. Smith suggests people inspect and clear debris from their property where they plan to turn over soil. Remove anything that could attract the snakes' prey — rats and other rodents — as well as the snakes. Feed pets indoors and move bird feeders away from the house. For tips on making your home less inviting to rattlesnakes, the CDFW recommends people visit the California Herps rattlesnake information page at What to do if you get bitten by a rattlesnake Rattlesnake bites are uncommon, according to California Poison Control's Assistant Medical Director Cyrus Rangan. Statewide, about 300 bites are reported to poison control annually. If a rattlesnake does bite you, get immediate medical attention, according to poison control. Stay calm and keep the bite area elevated. Don't run. Don't ice, cut into or constrict the bite area. Don't try to suck out the venom. Are you allowed to kill a rattlesnake in California? While rattlesnakes are beneficial to the environment — eating mice and other rodents — if they settle under or next to your house they could bite curious children or pets. According to the CDFW, it's legal in most cases to kill most species of rattlesnakes in California, as long as it's to protect life and property. When killing them, remember they do feel pain. Kill then quickly for your own safety and to be as humane as possible, said Patrick Foy at the CDFW. Most people hit them very hard on the head with the back of a shovel. 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: Rattlesnake encounters on hot Redding days. Here's what to do Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
15-07-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Green Fire smoke pushes air quality to hazardous levels over parts of Shasta County
Smoke from the Green Fire — burning northeast of Redding in the Shasta-Trinity National Forest wilderness — is polluting air in parts of Shasta County to levels health officials consider unhealthy to hazardous for people to breathe. Some of the worse pollution hit Bella Vista and other east Highway 299 communities on Monday afternoon. Green Fire smoke also reduced air quality to "very unhealthy" levels in Redding, Shasta Lake, Anderson, Cottonwood and Platina. The Shasta County Air Quality Management District issued and advisories on Monday regarding the dangers of smoke and pollution impacts, especially on people with health issues. However, pollution levels are high enough to cause problems for healthy people, according to the county. This week, different communities may feel the impacts of smoke worse than others as wind blows smoke in different directions and topography sends it into different parts of the county, the district warned. Smoke is more likely to settle into the valley around Redding in the morning hours, according to the county and the National Weather Service. Pollution levels in Redding fluctuated on Monday, dropping from very unhealthy levels in the early morning to moderate levels by 9 a.m., then soaring again around noon, according to the Environmental Protection Agency's AirNow web page. From Shasta Lake to Cottonwood, pollution in the valley reached purple levels (201 to 300 on the Air Quality Index), indicating air that's very unhealthy to breathe. Bella Vista and communities along Highway 299 got the worst of the Green Fire smoke Monday afternoon. Pollution levels hit 457 on the Air Quality Index, well into the EPA's magenta level (301 AQI and higher). That much pollution is considered "hazardous" to people's health, according to the EPA. Note to readers: We made this story free as a public service. 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. Shasta and Tehama counties air quality districts advised people to check their air quality before they go out as pollution levels fluctuate this week. "All members of the public, especially those with respiratory or heart disease, the elderly, pregnant women, and children should remain alert, and if necessary, reduce or avoid all outdoor exertion when wildfire smoke is present," Shasta County's air quality district said in its advisory. Both counties urged people to limit outdoor exercise in polluted areas, stay indoors with the windows and doors closed and turn on air conditioning with a re-circulation setting, including in vehicles. Refresh your browser and scroll down to see Redding's air quality, or go to AirNow and type in your zip code. 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: Redding air quality hits unhealthy levels due to Green Fire smoke
Yahoo
12-07-2025
- 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
12-07-2025
- 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
12-07-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Redding heat wave peaks with 110 degrees, as smoky air drifts over North State
The smoke from the Green Fire that's covering greater Redding and choking the air quality is expected to linger most of the weekend, with nights likely getting worse. That's according to the National Weather Service in Sacramento, which also placed the Redding area and parts of Northern California under an excessive heat warning that lasts through 11 p.m. Monday. Afternoon temperatures in the Redding area could heat up to 110 on Friday afternoon, 108 over the weekend and will be accompanied by gusty wind, said Nathan Rick, meteorologist with the National Weather Service's Sacramento branch. People should stay indoors in air conditioning during the hottest hours of the day to avoid heat-related health issues, public health branches cautioned. 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. Wind gusts of up to 20 mph on Friday won't give anyone much respite when it's that hot. Those winds continue through Saturday, then gain more strength on Sunday, gusting up to 25 mph, Rick said. It's possible smoke from the Green Fire could help lower temperatures, but that same smoke is polluting the air over Shasta County, according to the Shasta County Air Quality Management District. The county advised people, especially those with health issues, to stay indoors when air is polluted. The smoky air will stick around most of the weekend, with the worst of it at nighttime. That's when light wind blows Green Fire smoke to the south over the city and down the Sacramento Valley, Rick said. Those winds then turn to the north and northeast during the day, sending smoke rolling into Siskiyou and Modoc counties, he said. Those drying winds coupled with the baking heat could help the Green Fire spread over the weekend, according to the weather service and the U.S. Forest Service. That doesn't mean the fire will grow in the same direction the wind is blowing in Redding, Rick said. Forest service firefighters report the Green Fire is burning through deep rugged terrain that twists the direction winds move. That makes it hard to predict exactly where the wildfire will grow, he said. Some good news: The heat wave ends on Tuesday or Wednesday. Afternoon temperatures will stay below 100 degrees for most of the week, with nighttime temperatures dropping into the mid- to upper 60s, according to the forecast. 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: Smoky air drifts over Redding as excessive heat warning hits area
