Highway 299 will remain closed in both directions indefinitely as the Carr Fire continues to rage out of control near Whiskeytown Lake. The fire broke out Monday afternoon about 1:15PM and quickly raged out of control. As of early Tuesday morning the fire has burned at least 2500 acres and is just 5% contained. The entire town of French Gulch has been evacuated. Residents of French Gulch and some other areas were being sent to evacuation centers in two separate cities. Residents east of Trinity Mountain Road were going to Shasta High School, while those who live west of the road had to go to Weaverville Elementary School for shelter. At last word about 440 people were under mandatory evacuation orders and 180 homes were being threatened by the fire. The latest information on evacuations and closures will be posted to the KQMS Facebook Page.
The Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency has authorized the use of federal funds to help battle the Carr Fire near Whiskeytown Lake. On Monday the state requested assistance and the FEMA Regional Administrator granted the request just before 8PM Monday night. The Fire Management Assistance Grants provide federal funding for up to 75 percent of eligible firefighting costs.