Calif. wildfire scorches highway
REDDING, Calif. – An explosive wildfire spewing flames 300 feet into the air roared into a second northern California county on Thursday after forcing closure of a stretch of the Pacific Coast’s primary interstate in both directions.
Scores of homes and seasonal residences were threatened by the Delta Fire, and some evacuations were ordered. The blaze was burning on both sides of Interstate 5 in Shasta County and pushing northwest into Trinity County. The fire, which began Wednesday, ballooned to 15,294 acres, or 24 square miles.
The two counties were devastated earlier this summer by the Carr Fire that killed eight people, burned 360 square miles and destroyed more than 1,000 homes. The Carr Fire, fully contained last week, cost nearly $160 million to douse.
Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones said Thursday that insured residential and commercial losses from the Carr and the recent Mendocino Complex fires topped $845 million and are now counted among the most destructive wildfires in the state’s history.
“Our wildfire history tells the story of how our fire season has changed over the years from a four-month season to a year-round threat,” Jones said.
Officials said the blaze was “humancaused” but didn’t say whether it was arson or accidental.
There is no estimate on when several miles of I-5, the only continuous highway to touch the borders of Mexico and Canada, will reopen. Burned-out vehicles litter the freeway.