Forest Service officials say conditions on the Shoe Fire significantly improved due to aggressive firefighting and Wednesday’s rainfall. That was before Red Flag conditions started Thursday with strong winds and rapidly dropping humidity levels. Gusts were expected up to 45 miles an hour along ridges and peaks in the fire zone. The Shoe Fire has burned 4,180 acres with 8% containment. Shifting winds are expected to blow the smoke from the shoe fire into the North Valley. Redding and surrounding areas will likely be socked in with smoke for several days. Details on evacuations are at protect.genasys.com. The Forest Service says the fire was human caused. It started last Wednesday afternoon near the Madrone Campground in the Sulanharas Creek Drainage, 12 miles southwest of Big Bend. It’s burning in thick timber on rugged steep terrain. There are more than 1,300 personnel fighting the fire.
-Steve Gibson