Showing posts with label Lava Fire. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Lava Fire. Show all posts

Monday, July 5, 2021

14 people arrested for entering or refusing to leave Lava Fire evacuation zone

 Close Alert

begin quote from:

https://krcrtv.com/news/local/14-people-arrested-for-entering-or-refusing-to-leave-lava-fire-evacuation-zone

14 people arrested for entering or refusing to leave Lava Fire evacuation zone


A United States Forest Service firefighter monitoring the Lava Fire, just before telling his team to set backfires. (KRCR Photographer // Adam McAllister)
A United States Forest Service firefighter monitoring the Lava Fire, just before telling his team to set backfires. (KRCR Photographer // Adam McAllister)
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Just days into fighting the explosive Lave Fire in Siskyou County, 14 arrests have been made to people who entered or refused to leave areas under evacuation orders.

The Siskiyou County Sheriff's Office (SCSO) says the arrests were made on June 30 to people in and around the Mount Shasta Vista Subdivision, which has been under an evacuation order for days. SCSO notes one male driver pushed a county employee with a vehicle and ran a roadblock during this time.

SCSO could not clarify to KRCR if the county employee was a deputy or other law enforcement or fire personnel. Regardless, with resources currently focused on preventing the spread of the blaze burning more than 24,000 acres as of Saturday afternoon, they say those who interfere with operations prevent these areas from reopening sooner.

"This can slow down the progress for full fire containment and interferes with safety measures," says a Facebook post by the SCSO. "The less time fire and law enforcement personnel have to deal with people entering the evacuation area and interfering with efforts to fight the fire, the sooner we can work on opening the area back up for people to return home."

The post notes that it is imperative to remain out of areas under evacuation orders for the individual's safety as well as those battling the fire.

Mount Shasta Lava Fire has little growth overnight

 

begin quote from:

https://www.abc10.com/article/news/local/wildfire/mount-shasta-lava-fire/103-241498e3-5bca-4f0c-b5ab-05586276576a

Mount Shasta Lava Fire has little growth overnight

The Siskiyou County Sheriff's evacuation orders remain in place, though some Lake Shastina residents were able to return home.
Fire Watch: Multiple fires burning around Northern California amid dry heat
Volume 90%
 

SISKIYOU COUNTY, Calif. — The so-called Lava Fire continues to plague fire crews battling the blaze in the inaccessible slopes of Mount Shasta. 

The fire has reached 24,752 acres and is 39% contained, according to the latest update from Shasta-Trinity National Forest. 

"The Lava Fire has stayed mostly within its footprint since yesterday’s update, with very little new growth," a spokesperson with Shasta-Trinity National Forest said in the news release. 

While several thousand residents of Lake Shastina have been allowed to return home following evacuation orders, Siskiyou County Sheriff evacuation orders remain in place. 

Hot and dry conditions persist in the area, and firefighters are preparing for potential windy thunderstorms. A dry lightning strike is suspected of setting the so-called Lava Fire near Mount Shasta, so fire crews are also looking to for any further lightning that could create new flareups. 

With the Fourth of July here, firefighters battling the destructive blazes across Northern California are looking to visitors at national and state forest campsites to be aware that untended campfires or a misplaced spark could set new blazes. At the same time, Cal Fire is urging people to only use Safe and Sane fireworks when celebrating the holiday. Authorities also say a dragging trailer chain or hot car exhaust could set alight bone-dry brush and grass. 

14 arrested for entering and refusing to leave an evacuation zone

On June 30, the Siskiyou County Sheriff's Office arrested 14 people after they entered and refused to leave the Lava Fire evacuation zone around the Mount Shasta Vista Subdivision. 

One person who was arrested allegedly pushed a county employee with a vehicle and then ran a roadblock. 

The sheriff's office did not say whether the 14 people trying to enter the area were residents of the subdivision, but did say that the actions of these individuals "can slow down the progress for full fire containment and interferes with safety measures."

Accounts to follow for updates:

MAPS

Credit: Shasta-Trinity National Forest

EVACUATIONS

Credit: Shasta-Trinity National Forest

WILDFIRE PREPS

According to Cal Fire, 2020 was one of the most severe fire seasons on record as 9,917 wildfires burned 4.2 million acres. Over 9,000 structures were destroyed, and 31 people (civilians and firefighters) were killed. 

California also experienced its first "Gigafire" because of the August Complex Fire, burning over 1 million acres by itself. Four of California's top five largest wildfires in state history happened in 2020. 

If you live in a wildfire-prone zone, Cal Fire suggests creating a defensible space around your home. Defensible space is an area around a building in which vegetation and other debris are completely cleared. At least 100 feet is recommended.

WATCH: What you need to know to prepare, stay safe for wildfires

The Department of Homeland Security suggests assembling an emergency kit that has important documents, N95 respirator masks, supplies to grab with you if you’re forced to leave at a moment’s notice. The agency also suggests signing up for local warning system notifications and know your community’s evacuation plans best to prepare yourself and your family in cases of wildfires.

Some counties use Nixle alerts to update residents on severe weather, wildfires, and other news. To sign up, visit www.nixle.com or text your zip code to 888777 to start receiving alerts. 

WATCH MORE: What hikers need to know to stay safe amid wildfire season