Delta Fire in Northern California shuts down 47 miles of Interstate 5

Another wildfire near Redding, Calif., is forcing evacuations and shutting down roads. As of Thursday afternoon, Sept. 6, portions of Interstate 5 are shut down as the Delta Fire burns thousands of acres approximately 2 miles north of Lakehead, Calif.

The Delta Fire in Northern California began at approximately 1 p.m. local time on Wednesday, Sept. 5. In less than 24 hours, the fire has grown to more than 15,000 acres. According to Caltrans, Interstate 5 is closed for roughly 47 miles from Fawndale Road north of Redding to Mott Road south of Mount Shasta.

Happening Now: I-5 North is closed at Fawndale. I-5 Southbound is closed at Mott Road. Southbound detour #DeltaFire pic.twitter.com/FyJ5YpQbRy

— Brittanyabc10 (@BrittanyBegley) September 6, 2018

According to KPIX-TV, at least four trucks traveling on Interstate 5 have been destroyed in the fire.

Residents along the Interstate 5 corridor from Exit 707 at Vollmers north to Exit 714 at Gibson have been issued a mandatory evacuation. Dunsmuir residents were issued an evacuation warning.

According to the National Wildfire Coordinating Group, the Delta Fire grew aggressively overnight, with flames estimated to have reached 300 feet high. The fire is burning on both sides of Interstate 5 to the north and northwest of Vollmers.

At least four big rigs traveling on Highway I-5 have been destroyed in the #DeltaFire. Highway remains closed in both directions. https://t.co/DKiV37uu2O pic.twitter.com/BWTIgRhiSh

— KPIX 5 (@KPIXtv) September 6, 2018

Weather forecasts for Vollmers for the next several days reveal temperature highs in the 90s with humidity at around 23 percent and 7 mph winds. The National Wildfire Coordinating Group projects the fire will spread further north into Slate Creek, potentially impacting additional sections of Interstate 5.