Tuesday, 28 July 2026, 12:00
A vegetation fire in Siskiyou County has forced evacuation orders and warnings as firefighters work to contain the blaze. The Shasta Fire, burning near Roland Drive and Heinzelman Road, is advancing slowly but is being pushed by strong winds, according to CAL FIRE.
The Siskiyou County Sheriff's Office issued an evacuation order for zone SIS-5120. Evacuation warnings have also been activated for zones SIS-5005 and SIS-5123. Officials urge residents to check their evacuation zone online and be ready to act if conditions deteriorate.
CAL FIRE reports the fire has burned at least 1 acre, though the exact acreage may change as mapping continues. The fire is moving at a slow rate of spread but gusty winds are complicating containment. No structures have been reported damaged so far, and no injuries have been confirmed. In a recent update, CAL FIRE Siskiyou Unit announced that the fire's forward rate of spread has been stopped. Officials are asking the public to avoid the area to allow fire crews to work safely.
Siskiyou County, in far northern California, is no stranger to wildfire threats. The region's dry summers and frequent winds create conditions that can quickly escalate small fires. The Shasta Fire is the latest in a series of incidents that keep local fire agencies on high alert. Meanwhile, firefighters recently stopped the spread of another 1-acre vegetation fire, the Quartz Fire, which started near Montague on July 23 and prompted evacuations before being contained. The Quartz Fire burned through very dry brush and threatened at least two structures, according to Watch Duty fire app. The Siskiyou County Sheriff’s Office issued an evacuation order for zone SIS-5004 and evacuation warnings for zones SIS-3544, SIS-3546, SIS-5005, SIS-5117, and SIS-5001. The National Weather Service has issued a red flag warning for the area through Friday, citing low humidity and gusty winds that could cause any new fire to spread rapidly. The Quartz Fire started around 2:45 p.m. and grew quickly to half an acre before 3 p.m. Firefighters planned to patrol the burn area into Thursday evening to ensure the blaze didn't flare up. The cause of the fire is under investigation. The Siskiyou County Sheriff's Office later lifted the evacuation order and warnings for the Quartz Fire.
California has experienced increasingly severe wildfire seasons over the past decade. Siskiyou County has seen major fires before, including the 2020 Slater Fire that burned thousands of acres and destroyed homes. The current incident underscores the ongoing risk in rural, fire-prone areas.
Residents in affected zones should stay informed through official channels and follow evacuation instructions. Firefighters continue to work on containment, and updates will be provided as conditions change.
