
Fire crews from multiple agencies gather for the morning fire brief, Whiskeytown National Recreation Area / NPS
On Thursday, August 18, 2022 a fatal traffic accident on Highway 299 sparked a wildland fire and precipitated a closure and evacuation of the eastern side of Whiskeytown National Recreation Area (NRA). Multiple agencies responded quickly to both the traffic accident and the fire with forward progress on the fire stopped in the late afternoon of the 18th. The initial report of 35 acres was based on aerial mapping of the perimeter and as of August 20th, based on more accurate mapping, the Kennedy Fire currently was 45 acres in size and 100% contained. Smoldering trees and other hot spots may result in smoke plumes being visible throughout the day.
The hot weather and dry conditions present some increasingly familiar obstacles to the fire crews and have resulted in 3 heat-related evacuations of personnel. Each of the three firefighters was treated and released from local hospitals. Fire crews from multiple cooperating agencies are continuing mop up operations and guests are advised to use caution while driving through the Whiskeytown Area. John F. Kennedy Memorial Drive reopened by 10:00 a.m. August 20, 2022, as did the Visitor Center.
Comments
BONE DRY area... The historic town of Shasta is nearby and it has buildings covered in Tin that were built in such a manner to try and protect them from the forest fires that used to rage in the area all the time. Brutal labor for the firefighters. There should be extra pay for work in weather above 100 degrees.