Fire near Red Bluff Slows I-5 Traffic

A fire was reported burning north of Red Bluff, slowing traffic along I-5 on October 8. At 12:15 p.m., the California Highway Patrol received reports of a fire in the grass along Interstate 5. The fire started north of Red Bluff, near Jellys Ferry Road. The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection reported that the grass fire had burned nearly 35 acres before it was contained.

Officers of the California Highway Patrol feared that a tree might fall onto the freeway, cause injuries, and worsen traffic conditions. They decided to close the number 2 lane of the freeway, which caused traffic to slow significantly; cars were backed up to Hooker Creek.

Firefighters were able to stop the progress of the grass fire by 4 p.m. Luckily, the crews could contain the flames to the original 35 acres north of Red Bluff and prevented it from entering city limits. To further protect freeway travelers, the south section of Hooker Creek Road was closed at Hickman Lane for all-through traffic.

This area is within 5 miles of homes and other buildings. These types of fires often spread quickly and cause surrounding areas to be evacuated. Fortunately, there have been no reports of damages to any structures or injuries to residents.

How did this Happen?

A fire can be started wherever there is a spark or flame. Roadside fires can be caused by discarded cigarette butts, broken catalytic converters, or dangling metal. Tow chains that are too long and constantly touching the ground or going over bumps can also throw out sparks that can land in flammable roadside areas. Pulling over and parking a vehicle above plants or dry grass can also start a fire. The exhaust system that runs the length of the vehicle gets very hot while driving and can cause plants to smolder and burn if they come in contact with it. Littered cigarettes are the most common cause of fires and fire deaths throughout the world. UC Davis researchers found that smoking-related fires cost the U.S. about 7 billion dollars in 1998.

Related Articles by Red Bluff Car Accident Lawyer Ed Smith:

Red Bluff Car Accident Lawyer

I’m Ed Smith, a Red Bluff Car Accident Lawyer. If you or your family have been hurt in a fire or other accident and need an injury lawyer, please contact me at (530) 392-9400 or (800) 404-5400 for free and friendly advice with no obligation. You can also reach me online at AutoAccident.com.

For the past 35 years, I have served the Red Bluff and Northern California communities recover after accidents. Look over these verdicts and settlements for examples of what I can do for you and your family.

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Photo Credit: Wikimedia Commons, Grass Fire by Emmanuellives. CC BY-SA 3.0

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Fire Near Red Bluff Slows I-5 Traffic