In the five days since the Carr Fire began in Shasta County, it has burned more than 80,000 acres, destroyed more than 300 homes and killed at least five people.
Tens of thousands of people in Redding, Shasta Lake and surrounding communities have been evacuated as the destructive blaze, fueled by hot, dry weather, has unpredictably torn through the area’s forested hills and neighborhoods.
On Saturday, the fire was just 5 percent contained and nearly 5,000 homes remained threatened as fire crews began to mop up debris and account for the damage left in its wake.
Fire crews Saturday worked to mop up the Lake Redding Estates subdivision. The Carr Fire doubled in size overnight Friday but moved further west.Bert Johnson / Capital Public Radio
Charred hillsides near Quartz Hill Road in Redding.Bert Johnson / Capital Public Radio
Ryan Nardo of the Redding Fire Department says he knows people whose house in the Lake Redding Estates was completely destroyed. Bert Johnson / Capital Public Radio
Paul Subio, a veteran who is experiencing homelessness until his VA-sponsored house opens up on Aug 1, says he's been staying in the Lake Redding area for three months, but wasn't able to evacuate because he doesn't own a car. He says bus lines stopped running without warning. Bert Johnson / Capital Public Radio
Graham Matthews and his daughter, Melia, were checking on their house in the Lake Redding area. They were fortunate – their house is still standing – but they say two houses down, their neighbors lost their homes. Bert Johnson / Capital Public Radio
A CHP officer at a roadblock in Redding. The fire moved away from the western side of town overnight, but also roughly doubled in size and authorities say they can't predict how the coming days will be. Bert Johnson / Capital Public Radio
The fire camp where the response to the Carr Fire is being coordinated is located at the fairgrounds in Anderson, a few miles south of Redding. Bert Johnson / Capital Public Radio
The Sundial Bridge in Redding. As the Carr Fire grew larger to the West of the city, smoke led to hazy skies and unhealthy conditions for sensitive groups like children and elderly residents. Bert Johnson / Capital Public Radio
A section of the Sacramento River in Redding, viewed from the Sundial Bridge. Bert Johnson / Capital Public Radio
A fire suppression helicopter hovers over the Sacramento River. Bert Johnson / Capital Public Radio
Stephen Walsh of the Red Cross at Shasta College, where the largest evacuation center for the Carr Fire reached full capacity on Saturday afternoon. Bert Johnson / Capital Public Radio
Brett Larson isn't sure if he lost his home in Redding, but after he got to the Red Cross shelter at Shasta College he decided to volunteer and help other evacuees. Bert Johnson / Capital Public Radio
Donations of food, water and other supplies at Shasta College were distributed by members of the Salvation Army in coordination with the Red Cross. Bert Johnson/ Capital Public Radio
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