UPDATED: Hirz Fire still active The Hirz Fire grew by 813 acres Tuesday night but remained at 17 percent containment. The U.S. Forest Service said in its 8 p.m. Tuesday update the fire was at 18,280 acres, up from 17,467 acres in the morning. Meanwhile, authorities announced a public meeting on the blaze will be held at 6 p.m. Wednesday at the Lakehead Lions Club, 20814 Mammoth Drive, in Lakehead. "Fire activity was slightly moderate today on the northeast side of the fire due to the inversion, which was late to break over the area. Lines were tested but crews were able to keep the fire within the firelines," the Shasta-Trinity National Forest said in a statement. Crews made "excellent progress" on the fire's south side near Old Mill Road by repairing fire lines and mopping up, officials said. "The fire remains active east of High Mountain and Nawtawaket Mountain and continues to back into the McCloud River drainage. As the fire progresses to the north, the terrain becomes more difficult with less access," the National Forest said. ORIGINAL STORY Several miles away from where the Carr Fire has pushed to the shores of Lake Shasta in some spots, the Hirz Fire grew 2,758 acres as of Tuesday morning. As of the latest information issued from the U.S. Forest Service Tuesday morning, the Hirz Fire was 17,467 acres and was 17 percent contained. Price gouging complaints emerge after Carr Fire The fire is about 10 miles east of Interstate 5, north of Gilman Road and the McCloud Arm of Lake Shasta. The fire is burning on U.S. Forest Service land in the Shasta-Trinity National Forest. The fire was active on the northeast side of the blaze. Crews made good progress strengthening fire line on the on the south side of the fire. There are 1,115 people assigned to the fire, the forest service said. Residents of Old Mill Road, Bonnie Vista Lane, Top of the Hill Trail, Hirz Mountain Road, the north side of Gilman Road, and the Bollibokka Fishing Club have been evacuated. "Because the fire is slow moving, the evacuation will remain in place until authorities determine there is no longer a threat to structures in the area," the forest service said in a news release. Find all your answers about the Carr Fire here Gilman Road has a "soft" closure between Old Mill Road and the McCloud River Bridge. The soft closure means residents who live south of Gilman Road who have not been told to evacuate will be allowed to get to their property. Several recreation areas on Lake Shasta, however, remain closed. The McCloud River Arm is closed above Holiday Harbor. Hirz Bay, Moore Creek, Pine Point, Ellery Creek, Dekkas Rock and McCloud Bridge are closed. Beehive Campground is closed due to the Carr Fire. Bailey Cove, Fisherman’s Point, Centimudi, and Jones Valley are some of the facilities on Lake Shasta that are still open to the public. For more information about recreation on the lake, call the Shasta Lake Ranger District at (530) 275-1587. Carr Fire After weeks of destroying thousands of acres of wildland — including more than 1,000 homes — overnight Monday the size of the Carr Fire did not increase. The size of the fire remained at 229,651 as of Tuesday morning, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection. The fire stretches north and south from Igo to Lakehead and east and west from Redding to eastern Trinity County. Firefighters continued to gain control of the fire Monday, with containment line around 91 percent of the blaze as of Tuesday night. The fire, which started July 23, has destroyed 1,604 buildings, including 1,079 homes, making it the most destructive fire in Shasta County history. Eight deaths also have been linked to the fire. But heavy smoke over the fire has significantly reduced fire activity, Cal Fire said. However, heavy timber is challenging firefighters’ efforts and battling terrain driven winds in the area of Lake Shasta has made fire activity at times unpredictable. Firefighters still do not know when they will have the fire fully contained. RPD: Unlicensed contractor targeted Carr Fire victim The fire started the afternoon of July 23 after the tire from a trailer tire went flat and the rim started scraping the ground, causing sparks to ignite vegetation in the area of the Carr Powerhouse at Whiskeytown Lake. As crews near completing a containment line around the fire the number of people working on the fire has dropped significantly. There was once more than 4,000 people assigned to the fire, but as of Tuesday morning there were 1,930. By afternoon, there were 1,592 fire personnel. Disaster relief available through county offices Meanwhile, the Shasta County Assessor-Recorder's Office has announced property owners, who lost or sustained damage in the fire may be eligible for a reduction in the assessed value of their property. Appraisers from the office are on the field updating property and other assessment records to enroll corrections and track protected base year values. Residents who have suffered fire damage are asked to call the assessor's office at 225-3600 and obtain a "Claim for Disaster Relief" application or visit https://bit.ly/2w2eciV. The claim for reassessment should be fixed with the assessor within 60 days of the date of damage to the property, and it includes the ability to request a deferral of taxes until any corrections are processed. Property owners should also notify in writing any new mailing addresses for assessment and property tax purposes to the assessor's office. People who lost documents such as birth, death and marriage certificates also are eligible to obtain replacements for free. Call the Recorder's Office at 225-5671. The assessor-recorder's office is at the Shasta County Administrative Center, 1450 Court St., Suite 208 A in Redding.<doc-sep>Staff reports U.S. Forest Service officials on Saturday closed off to the public an area inside the Shasta-Trinity National Forest where the Hirz Fire is burning. The stubborn fire, which broke out on Aug. 9, was holding at 12,550 acres with 11 percent containment by Saturday evening. It had grown by about 1,000 acres since Friday evening. The order closing the area northwest of the McCloud River Arm of Lake Shasta went into effect right away and, for the time, extends through Dec. 31. "The purpose of this closure is to reduce the risk of to the public and firefighting personnel," the order by Forest Supervisor Scott Russell reads.in part. Russell said the area is unsafe for the public as crews battle the fire. He said airplanes assigned to the fire are flying low to pick up water at the lake and drop on the flames. Residents who live in what is now the fire area will be allowed home as necessary. The forest service projects to have the fire under control by Sept. 1, according to its morning update. Carr Fire is 81 percent contained Firefighters trying to bring the Carr Fire under control also are making gains. Containment improved from 77 percent on Friday night to 81 percent on Saturday night, the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection said in its evening incident update. The fire grew by about 3,500 acres during the roughly 24-hour period. Cal Fire estimated tit o be burning 227,085 acres. On Friday, the blaze, which has reached the shores of Lake Shasta, became California's seventh largest wildfire in history. It's consumed the equivalent to about 355 square miles. Cal Fire officials said the heavy smoke in the area was helping choke the fire. "Heavy timber fuels still challenge firefighting efforts. Battling terrain driven winds in proximity of the lake have complicated the predictability of this activity," the evening report said. Fire officials have yet to set a projected date for containment on the blaze. On Thursday, it will mark a month since it was sparked. The fire is no longer threatening any structures. To date, officials have counted 1,604 destroyed buildings and 279 damaged buildings. Of those, the fire leveled 1,079 homes and damaged another 190. Suppression costs for the Hirz Fire were estimated on Friday at $4.1 million, while the Carr Fire's was $130 million. The forest service said the Hirz Fire is moving north in Nawtawaket Creek and Winniwaket Creek towards Nawtawaket Mountain and High Mountain. Forest service officials expect it will continue to move toward the Billibokka Fishing Club and up the McCloud River drainage. Read:Fire rained down ash on Redding. Now a race to protect salmon and water supply Read:At Shasta College, fire program enrollment is up after Carr Fire disaster Read:Son repeats agonizing line to mom suffering from memory loss: 'Your house burned down.' Read:Whiskeytown, other Carr Fire-scarred lands are bracing for a new danger — rain Read:Did an evacuation notice come late? You were not the only one<doc-sep>Update: 1:50 p.m. The Gorge Fire is holding at 75 acres. Cal Fire reported the fire that started Sunday morning near Platina is now 20-percent contained. Forward spread has been stopped. Highway 36 remains closed between Platina Road and the R Wild Horse Ranch. Update: 1:30 p.m. Cal Fire reports some progress fighting the Gorge Fire that started around 7:30 a.m. this morning off Beegum Gorge Road near Platina. Residents of the Saint Herman Monastery in Platina said they no longer see a "big pillar of smoke" coming from the gorge. Update at 10:25 a.m.: Gorge Fire grows The Gorge Fire near Platina is up to 75 acres, according to Lynnette Round, information officer with Cal Fire. Some firefighters are being pulled from Carr Fire lines to fight the fire which broke out Sunday morning. The fire burns off Highway 36 west and Beegum Gorge Road. Highway 36 is closed between Platina Road and the R Ranch. The fire started around 7:30 a.m. More:UPDATE: Hirz Fire forces officials to close portion of Shasta-Trinity National Forest Update at 9:55 a.m.: Fire breaks out near Platina Cal Fire reports firefighters are battling a 50-acre fire off Highway 36 west around Beegum Gorge Road near Platina. The fire started around 7:30 a.m. Highway 36 at Platina Road is closed. More:Fire rained down ash on Redding. Now a race to protect salmon and water supply Original story Progress made on Carr Fire, steady hold on Hirz Firefighters continue to make progress on the Carr Fire this weekend, while Hirz Fire containment remained about the same. Firefighters faced wind and heavy timber fuels feeding fires. Heavy smoke blanketed the North State Sunday morning. Air quality is considered unhealthy for all people from the Anderson area up through Lakehead. Here's how things stand with the fires Sunday morning. More:UPDATE: Hirz Fire forces officials to close portion of Shasta-Trinity National Forest Carr Fire Containment of the Carr Fire grew from 79 percent on Saturday to 83 percent as of 7 a.m. Sunday, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection. Carr grew to 227,098 acres, up about 3,000 acres since Saturday morning. It ranks as California's seventh largest wildfire in history. To date, the Carr Fire has been linked to eight deaths, and destroyed 1,079 structures. The fire still burns within containment lines. Highway 299 is open to traffic, but the public is asked to drive carefully and be aware fire crews and emergency personnel are working in the area. Hirtz Fire Containment of the Hirz Fire in eastern Shasta County remains at 11 percent as of 8 a.m. Sunday, the same as Saturday morning, according to the U.S. Forest Service. It grew to 14,014 acres, up about 2,000 acres since Friday. Road closures include Gilman Road between Old Mill Road and the McCloud River Bridge. Residents who live south of Gilman Road who haven't been ordered to evacuate may be allowed access. Officials warn drivers to use extreme caution when driving Gilman Road and to watch for crews working in the area. Evacuations are still in place for residents of Old Mill Road, Bonnie Vista Lane, Top of the Hill Trail, Hirz Mountain Road, the north side of Gilman Road and the Bollibokka Fishing Club. There's no designated evacuation shelter; residents who need help can call the American Red Cross at 844-236-0153. Sign up for emergency updates at www.shascom911.com.<doc-sep>
UPDATE: 9 p.m. Officials with the US Forest Service said the fire continues to move north and west and firefighters are working to keep the fire from spreading across Gilman Road. Gilman Road has a soft closure between Old Mill Road and the McCloud River Bridge, and residents who live south of Gilman Road within the soft closure area and have not been ordered to evacuate are still allowed to access their property. A hard closure was issued for Old Mill Road, Bonnie Vista Lane, Top of the Hill Trail and Hirz Mountain Road, and can only be accessed by firefighters and law enforcement. Officials with the US Forest Service said that fire activity increased Wednesday due to winds, so firefighters are developing containment lines north and west with bulldozers and hand crews. They've utilized two “Super Scooper” airplanes to scoop water from Lake Shasta and drop it on the fire. Fire officials advise that residents ensure their homes have 100-foot clearing to create a defensible space and be packed ahead of time in case evacuation become necessary. A public meeting is scheduled Aug. 17 at 7 p.m. at the Lakehead Lion's Club at 20814 Mammoth Dr. in Lakehead. UPDATE: 7 p.m. The Hirz Fire has grown slightly from 7,321 acres this morning to 7,650 acres and remains 5 percent contained, according to the US Forest Service. A soft road closure was issued at the 17300 block of Gilman Road, according to the California Highway Patrol Traffic Incident Information Page. UPDATE: 5:15 p.m. The Shasta County Sheriff's Office is ordering mandatory evacuations for the Bollibokka Fishing Club due to increased fire activity in the area where the Hirz Fire is burning. UPDATE: 10:30 a.m. Super Scooper planes ready to join firefight Two Super Scooper planes are available to fight the Hirz Fire once the smoke clears in the Lakehead area, according to Shasta-Trinity National Forest officials. "We've got to wait for the smoke to lift," Hirz Fire spokesman Shawn Compton said Wednesday morning. Authorities are closing part of the McCloud Arm of Lake Shasta near Hirz Bay to keep boaters safe distances away from the water-scooping aircraft once they're cleared to fly over the fire. "We're making available all the tools in our toolbox to get the Hirz Fire under control," Compton said. The planes are stationed in Chico and are capable of dropping 1,600 gallons of water, he said. The water is mixed with foam before the drops are made. Meanwhile, the evacuation shelter at Central Valley High School has closed, the Red Cross said. "We are on standby and ready to provide our services," Red Cross spokesman Nuriddin Ziyadinov said via Twitter. ORIGINAL STORY Still at only 5 percent containment, the Hirz Fire burning near the McCloud River Arm of Lake Shasta grew overnight to 7,321 acres, the U.S. Forest Service said Wednesday morning. The fire grew by nearly 1,000 acres from Tuesday evening. More: Wednesday update: Carr Fire containment up to 67% Due to increased activity in Bastard Canyon on Tuesday afternoon, additional evacuations were ordered in the area. Residents who live north of Gilman Road and east of Old Mill Road were evacuated Tuesday night. his includes all residents of Old Mill Road, Bonnie Vista Lane, the portion of Top of the Hill Trail west of Gilman Road to Bonnie Vista Lane, and residents along the north side of Gilman Road. More: How the Carr Fire is driving the debate over climate change Residents of HIrz Mountain Road who were evacuated earlier in the week are still under an evacuation order. The American Red Cross has opened a shelter at Central Valley High School for people affected by the Hirz Fire. The shelter is at 4066 La Mesa Avenue in Shasta Lake. The fire along Gillman Road has slowed on the control lines, the Forest Service said. Officials said that should the fire spread northeast it will threaten the Bollibokka Fishing Club and other buildings along the McCloud River. Full containment on the fire is expected by Sept. 1. There are 642 personnel fighting the blaze, which started in the early morning hours of Aug. 9. Officials have ruled out a lightning strike so they have determined the fire was human-caused. However, law enforcement is still investigating whether the fire was accidentally or intentionally set. Meanwhile, the Hat Fire burning in eastern Shasta County was still 1,900 acres as of Wednesday morning, the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection said.