Forest Service News Release

Lava Fire Morning Update July 4, 2021

Incident Start Date: June 24, 2021

Cause: Lightning

Acreage: 24,752

Containment: 39%

Engines: 70; Hand Crews: 33; Helicopters: 16; Dozers: 32; Water Tenders: 28;
Total Personnel: 1370

Firefighter Injuries: 4; Structures Threatened: 53; Structures Destroyed: 0;
Structures Damaged: 0

Weather:

Hot and dry conditions persist. Monsoonal moisture has the potential to create isolated thunderstorms which could include downdraft winds over the fire. There is a 10% chance of a thunderstorm today. Dry and more stable conditions are expected to return tomorrow.

Current Situation:

The Lava Fire has stayed mostly within its footprint since yesterday’s update, with very little new growth. Siskiyou County Sheriff evacuation orders remain in place. Law enforcement officers are actively patrolling within the evacuated area. Firefighters continue to patrol and mop up near Highway 97. Some interior flare ups occurred yesterday but  were within control lines and quickly attended to. Hand crews and dozers strengthened lines in the Bolam and Whitney Creek areas. Aircraft provided support through monitoring and retardant drops in the same area. The fire growth was diminished in the areas south of Whitney Creek and to the west of Mt. Shasta. Crews were also supported by aircraft and retardant drops in Diller Canyon area, where progress continues to be made in both the creation and strengthening of the containment line.

Below average winter snowpack and hot, dry, windy conditions have created burning conditions similar to those normally experienced in August. Challenges to firefighters include steep, rocky terrain, limited road access to the fire, and limited water sources near the fire.

National Forest Closures:

The Shasta-Trinity National Forest closure remains in effect. To read the full closure order and see a boundary map, go to: https://www.fs.usda.gov/detailfull/stnf/alerts-notices/?cid=stelprdb5392380&width=full

For More Information:

Inciweb: inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7581/

Twitter: @ShastaTrinityNF

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ShastaTrinityNF

Email: 2021.Lava@firenet.gov

Story Map: https://arcg.is/1CC9Pn
Fire Information Line: (530) 628-0039 (8 am to 9 pm daily)

There will be a public meeting today at 3 pm PST in building 3 of the College of the Siskiyou's Campus. Officials will be there in person to answer your questions about the Lava Fire.  It will also be livestreamed on the Shasty Trinity National Forest Facebook page and the Shasta County Office of Emergency Services Facebook page.

Incident Start Date: June 24, 2021
Cause: Lightning
Acreage: 24,460
Containment: 26%
Engines: 117; Hand Crews: 29; Helicopters: 17; Dozers: 24; Water Tenders: 22; Total Personnel: 1420Firefighter Injuries: 3
Structures Threatened: 53
Structures Destroyed: 0
Structures Damaged: 0

Weather:Hot and dry conditions persist. Temperatures are expected to reach 100 degrees in the valley and in the 90s on ridgetops. There is a 15% chance of thunderstorms today which could bring erratic winds to the area and a small chance of thunderstorms on Sunday, July 4th.

Current Situation: Firefighters continue to make good progress on the fire despite stifling heat and difficult working conditions. Siskiyou County Sheriff has downgraded the evacuation order for Lake Shastina and Carrick, but all other evacuation orders remain in effect, please check the Siskiyou County Sheriff Facebook page for the most current evacuation order information (www.facebook.com/SiskiyouCountySheriff).

Priorities continue to focus on protecting lives and property as well as watersheds and cultural resources using line construction with crews and equipment supported by aircraft when possible. Fire crews are actively monitoring and quickly responding to any spot fires and continue mopping up on the southern and western perimeters of the fire. In addition to this work, firefighters will continue to strengthen containment lines to protect the communities of Weed, Mt. Shasta, Mount Shasta Vista, and Big Springs. 

Below average winter snowpack and hot, dry, windy conditions have created burning conditions similar to those normally experienced in August. Diurnal winds and drought conditions are contributing to the northeast and eastern fire spread. Challenges to firefighters include steep, rocky terrain, limited road access to the fire, and limited water sources near the fire. The fire is spreading by short range spotting and single and group tree torching through grass, brush and scattered timber. California Interagency Incident Management Team 1 assumed unified management with CAL FIRE on July 2 at 6pm.

National Forest Closures: The Shasta-Trinity National Forest closure remains in effect. To read the full closure order and see a boundary map, go to: https://www.fs.usda.gov/detailfull/stnf/alerts-notices/?cid=stelprdb5392380&width=full

For More Information: 
 Inciweb: inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7581/
 Twitter: @ShastaTrinityNF / Facebook: @ShastaTrinityNF
 Fire Information Line: (530) 628-0039 (8 am to 9 pm daily)
 Email: 2021.Lava@firenet.gov

Closures
 
Campgrounds: Bunny Flat, Sand Flat, Red Fir, McBride Springs  

Roads: Highway 97 east, Everitt Memorial Highway

Weed, CA—Evacuation orders have been downgraded to evacuation warnings for the areas of Lake Shastina and Carrick as of yesterday evening. All other evacuation orders remain in effect.  Today, priorities will include protecting critical infrastructure using direct tactics supported by aircraft. Crews will continue line operations and mop-up, building direct and contingency lines on the east side of the fire toward Military Pass when the conditions are favorable. Firefighters will be strengthening containment lines and mopping up the southern and western flanks to protect the communities of Weed, Mt. Shasta, Mount Shasta Vista and Big Springs. 

Fire continues to threaten subdivisions to the north of County Road A12. Fire containment is expected to grow on the north and east around the flanks near Mt Shasta Vista.

Below average winter snowpack and hot, dry, windy conditions have created burning conditions similar to those normally experienced in August. Diurnal winds and drought conditions are contributing to the northeast and eastern fire spread. Challenges to firefighters include steep, rocky terrain, limited road access to the fire, and limited water sources near the fire. The fire is spreading by short range spotting and single and group tree torching through grass, brush and scattered timber.

The Lava Fire is now being managed by California Incident Management Team 1 which assumed unified management with CAL FIRE at 6 pm tonight.

EVACUATION ORDER AREAS:

Mount Shasta Vista Subdivision, County Road A-12 north and south, Harry Cash Road, 4 Corners to Hart Road, north side of Hoy Road, North along Highway 97 to County Road A-12, Communities of Juniper Valley off Big Springs Road from Highway 97 to McDonald Lane on both east and west sides of Big Springs Road.

Highway 97 is closed between the City of Weed and City of Dorris on Highway 97.   

 
 Siskiyou County Sheriff has downgraded the evacuation order for Lake Shastina and Carrick. All other evacuation orders remain in effect.  They include the following areas:
 
-North along Highway 97 to County Road A-12
-Community of Juniper Valley off Big Springs Road from Highway 97 to McDonald Lane
-Big Springs Road on both east and west sides
-Mount Shasta Vista Subdivision-County Road A-12 north and south
-Harry Cash Road
-4 Corners to Hart Road

Highway 97 Closure:
Highway 97 is closed between the City of Weed and the City of Dorris.

CALL 211 for more info

 Weed, Calif,— Strong winds from the south yesterday afternoon caused the fire to grow considerably, especially to the north, towards the communities of Lake Shastina, Mount Shasta Vista and Big Springs.  An evacuation order was issued for all affected communities at 1:00 PM.

Lava Fire morning update
Shasta-Trinity National Forest

Weed, Calif, June 28, 2021 8:00 a.m. —  As of 7 a.m. this morning, management of the Lava Fire has been transitioned to California Interagency Incident Management Team 14.

The Lava Fire was ignited by lightning on June 24, 2021. It is located approximately 3.5 miles north east of Weed. Strong, erratic winds yesterday afternoon caused the fire to grow considerably, especially to the north and east, away from the communities of Weed, Carrick, and Lake Shastina. As of 8 a.m. on Monday, June 28,the fire is  1,446 acres and is 20% contained. No new evacuations have been issued at this time. no new evacuations were issued, and no structures have been damaged or destroyed as a result of the Lava Fire.

Firefighters reported that the fire remained active overnight, especially on its northern edge. Firefighters were able to continue to make good progress on building line on that section, and successfully held the fire north and east of the railroad tracks.  

Today, priorities will include scouting opportunities for containment to the north and holding the constructed lines to the south and west, cutting off fire progression into the

communities. Challenges to firefighters include steep, rocky terrain, limited road access to the fire, and limited water sources close to the fire. Several temporary water tanks will

be installed to assist firefighters in supplying engines and aircraft with water. Hot and dry conditions are expected to persist through tomorrow with low humidity and only moderate

humidity recovery overnight. South winds are expected to increase over the fire area today, increasing chances of continued spread to the north.

Lava Fire grows to 220 acres on the
Shasta-Trinity National Forest

Weed, Calif, June 27, 2021 8:00 a.m. — The Lava Fire was ignited by lightning on June 24, 2021. It is located approximately 3.5 miles north east of Weed, and 4.5 miles southeast of Lake Shastina. Currently, the fire is mapped at approximately 220 acres and is 25% contained.  

The fire continued to be active overnight, although lower winds speeds helped lessen fire activity yesterday evening. Most growth yesterday was to the south and southeast, as the fire had a normal seasonal wind on it throughout the day. Exceptionally dry conditions, aided by normal mountain winds, caused the fire to grow considerably yesterday afternoon. An EVACUATION WARNING has been issued for the areas along State Route 97, north of Weed, California: Angel Valley Road, Carrick Addition, and Solus Drive.

Firefighters will prioritize the southwestern corner of the fire today, working to stop progress to the south and west. They will also look for opportunities to suppress the fire directly on its active edge on the east. The northern and western edges held well overnight, and crews will work on mop up today to ensure containment. Weather today is expected to be hot and dry, with temperatures approaching triple digits and very poor overnight fuel recoveries. Winds are predicted to be light and variable, gusting to 7 mph in the afternoon.

A Type 2 Incident Management Team has been ordered and is expected to in brief this evening with the Shasta-Trinity National Forest.