(Image source from: The Sacramento Bee)
A wildfire started in north Redding on Sunday, thriving to more than 30 acres, compelling neighborhood evacuations and injuring at least one person and destructing at least one structure.
The Masonic Fire was first reported at 11:35 a.m. near the intersection of Lake Boulevard and Masonic Avenue in Redding, growing from 20 acres to 38 by 2 p.m., according to Redding Fire Department Deputy Chief Cullen Kreider.
Shaky containment on the Masonic Fire, 38 acres, 1 structure damaged, 1 civilian minor burns. Benton Drive remains closed to thru traffic. Crews will be mopping up for several hours. pic.twitter.com/MVhdkRWh76
— Cullen Kreider-RFD (@CullenKreider) October 14, 2018
The Redding Police Department issued orders to evacuate for Pearl Street, Barbara Road, Nancy Court, neighborhoods north of Benton Drive to Lake Boulevard and west of Market Street.
After being closed for several hours, Market Street was reopened just before 2 p.m., but Benton Drive remained out of use from Market Street to River Ridge, according to the Redding Police Department.
#reddingfire working of vegetation fire off N. Market St. Fire is holding at 30 acres. N. Market St. and Benton Drive are closed, please avoid the area. pic.twitter.com/MYMwuvfgOJ
— Redding Firefighters (@reddingff_1934) October 14, 2018
According to Cal Fire, another smaller fire, the 20-acre Tower Fire, was first reported near the junction of Cloverdale Road and Clear Creek Road near Igo, just west of Redding, around 8 a.m. and by 9:49 a.m., it had been decreased to 12 acres and was 50 percent contained.
Cloverdale Road was blocked between Placer Road and Clear Creek Road, according to Cal Fire Information Officer Scott McLean.
The two fires started after a Red Flag Warning was issued for Northern California and Pacific Gas and Electric said it may shut off power in few areas to prevent fire hazards.
By Sowmya Sangam