REDDING, Calif. —
UPDATE 5/1/2018:
The Grape Fire is holding at 244 acres and is now 60 percent contained, according to USFS. District rangers and fire managers are still planning to hold a community meeting on May 3 at 4 p.m. at the volunteer fire station in Hyampom. The forest closure remains in effect.
Below you can see a map of the fire area—the containment perimeter is in black.
UPDATE 4/30/2018:
According to USFS, the Grape Fire now covers 244 acres and is 40 percent contained. So far the fire has not caused any evacuations or health advisories. The cause of the fire is still under investigation.
UPDATE 4/30/2018:
The U.S. Forest Service (USFS) has issue a Forest Order Closure for the area around the Grape Fire within the Shasta-Trinity and Six Rivers National Forests. This includes all trails and roads in the area.
According to USFS, the purpose of the closure is to reduce safety risk to both the public and firefighting personnel in the area. Due to the active nature of the fire, the area is unsafe for public entry. It will remain in effect until the fire is out.
A map of the fire and the area of the Forest Order Closure can be viewed here or below.
UPDATE 4/29/2018:
The U.S. Forest Service says a community meeting will be held on Thursday, May 3, 2018 at 4 p.m. to discuss the Grape Fire. The meeting will be held at the volunteer fire station in Hyampom. District Rangers and District Fire Management Officers from the Six Rivers and Shasta-Trinity National Forests will be available to address any questions or concerns the community may have.
The Grape Fire is 234 acres, and now 30 percent contained. About a half inch of rain fell on the wildfire overnight. This was a welcomed sight for firefighters, but makes it difficult to drive and navigate the rugged terrain.
For updated information regarding this fire, please call (530) 628-0039 or visit the InciWeb Grape Fire information website: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/5761/
UPDATE 4/28/2018:
The U.S. Forest Service says after more accurate mapping, it estimates the Grape Fire to be 230 acres, and 10 percent contained. The Forest Service says acreage changes happen as they are able to more accurately survey the edge of the fire.
They say fuels across The Six Rivers and Shasta-Trinity National Forests are drying out sooner than expected, which as lead to increased fire behavior for this time of year.
There are currently no area closures, evacuations, or health advisories.
Original Report:
U.S. Forest Service (USFS) officials still seem unsure about what started a wildland fire in the Shasta-Trinity National Forest north of Hyampom, California—or if it had anything to do with a planned prescribed burn operation in that area.
Now called the 'Grape Fire,' the USFS said on Friday that 150 acres were burning, and that the fire was only 10 percent contained.
Previously, the USFS were calling this the Sims Restoration Project area prescribed burn. However, a USFS official told NewsWatch 12 that these burns were not yet supposed to be ignited, although preparations were underway.
As of Friday, 168 firefighters from Six Rivers and Shasta-Trinity National Forests were working to suppress the Grape Fire. With them are nine fire engines, two bulldozers, one helicopter and an air attack plane. Crews are working to build a fire line around the flames.
Vegetation in the area is drying out sooner than expected, according to the USFS, meaning that fire behavior is more volatile this time of year.
Information on the Grape Fire and any other fire incidents or prescribed burns can be tracked on InciWeb, the government's interactive system for fire incidents.