The things that make the Northstate and Shasta County so beautiful are the same things that can make it more prone to fire danger. A recent Shasta County Grand Jury investigation of the Carr Fire and the conditions that led to the fire becoming explosive and destructive focused on the need for local officials and citizens to shift their focus from suppression to prevention.
The Carr Fire burned 229,651 acres; destroyed 1,604 structures, including homes, while 277 others were damaged and eight people were killed. Over 38,000 people were evacuated for up to 10 days and some families are still waiting to rebuild their homes. The grand jury found that a sustained effort in the areas of fire fuel management and defensible space is required to mitigate or eliminate the threat of future fires. Shasta County Fire Department records indicate that 80% of all fires in Shasta County are caused by human activity.