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 mandatory 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, grew overnight to 15,294 acres, or 24 square miles.
The two counties were devastated earlier this summer by the deadly Carr Fire that killed eight people, burned 360 square miles and destroyed more than 1,000 homes. The Carr Fire sixth-most destructive wildfire in Golden State history cost nearly $160 million in suppression efforts.
"Life safety is a top priority for firefighters" combatting the Delta Fire, the National Forest Service said in a statement. "Firefighters are working quickly to protect communities and structures immediately threatened by the fire."