Redding news roundup: Investigators want to know what started fire on Oasis Road

Fire officials are investigating the cause of a grass fire that torched 2 acres Tuesday night in north Redding before crews were able to stop it.

The fire, which burned grass and gray pines, was reported at 7:36 p.m. in the area of Oasis Road and Old Oasis Road. Firefighters, assisted by the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, extinguished the fire and stayed two more hours to mop up the hot spots, according to a statement from the Redding Fire Department. No structures were damaged and no one was injured during the incident.

Anyone with information about what started the fire is asked to call the fire department at 530-225-4141.

— Jenny Espino

More public land reopens after the McKinney Fire

Saturday, Aug. 27

More land has been opened to the public in areas of the Klamath National Forest that was hit by the McKinney Fire.

A continued decrease in activity on the wildfire prompted Klamath National Forest officials to shrink the size of the area under emergency fire closure.

The updated Emergency Fire Closure Order increased access to 140,645 acres of public lands on Aug. 26, including several recreation sites that had been closed. The Humbug OHV Recreation Area is now the last recreation area to remain closed due to the wildfire.

The closure area around the Yeti Fire will remain unchanged due to continued hazard mitigation activities. This includes the Grider Road, Grider Creek Campground, Cold Spring Trailhead and the section of the Pacific Crest Trail within the closure area.

Forest officials will continue to assess the closure areas to continue to provide for firefighter and public safety while affording users maximum access to public lands.

The McKinney Fire has burned 60,138 acres and is 99% contained, according to fire authorities.

Full details, including a map, can be viewed at https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/klamath/alerts-notices/?aid=74764.

— Michele Chandler

Fire damages business in strip center on Bechelli Lane

Tuesday, Aug. 23

The Redding Fire department is investigating the cause of a fire that damaged the attic of a dog grooming business in a Bechelli Lane shopping center.

The blaze was reported around 7:45 p.m. on Monday. The strip center is south of Cypress Avenue on the west side of Bechelli.

There was light smoke coming from the roof of the commercial center when crews arrived. Firefighters quickly determined it was coming from the attic of Kimberly's Dog Grooming at 2672 Bechelli Lane, the fire department said in a news release. The fire was contained within 20 minutes.

Investigators said the fire damaged the attic near an air conditioning unit.

There were no injuries.

The fire caused an estimated $140,000 in damage, investigators said, and there was minor damage to adjacent businesses in the strip mall.

— David Benda

Deputies, CHP copter help hiker find way back to Pacific Coast Trail

Saturday, Aug. 20

A hiker who got lost on the Pacific Crest Trail hitched a ride on a California Highway Patrol helicopter so she could continue her journey.

The incident happened just before 4 p.m. Wednesday when emergency dispatchers received a signal from a GPS rescue beacon. Shasta County sheriff's deputies pinpointed the location to an area near Summit Lake and Grizzly Peak roads in a remote part of eastern Shasta County.

The 61-year-old hiker sent text messages to deputies, saying she didn't have medical needs but was lost and couldn't find her way back to the trail.

Deputies went to the area while a CHP helicopter found the woman from the air.

"Attempts to lead the hiker to deputies were unsuccessful so the helicopter was able to land and pick her up," deputies said.

The woman was dropped off with deputies who said they made sure she was in good condition.

"She was directed back to the proper trail and continued her journey," the sheriff's office said.

— Mike Chapman

Country star Pam Tillis a huge hit at Mosquito Serenade's season finale

Saturday, Aug. 20

The Mosquito Serenade ended its 40th season in a spectacular way Wednesday night by hosting country music icon Pam Tillis.

Tillis, the daughter of the late legendary country singer-songwriter Mel Tillis, sang her signature song, "Maybe It Was Memphis," among others and performed Collective Soul's "Shine" for an encore.

Local country favorite Chad Bushnell of Red Bluff was Tillis' opening act for what looked to be the Mosquito Serenade's biggest show of the season at Anderson River Park.

Concert-goers could stand in line for the food trucks at the rear while some danced to the music in front of the stage. Among the crowd were even a few line dancers.

— Mike Chapman

Redding, Shasta Lake receive federal disaster recovery funds

Saturday, Aug. 20

The cities of Redding and Shasta Lake will receive nearly $29 million in federal disaster funding to recover and rebuild from the 2018 Carr Fire.

Redding will get about $22.6 million and Shasta Lake will receive about $6.3 million. The money isn't tied to any specific projects.

Redding Mayor Kristen Schreder said in a statement the city will use the money to ensure affordable housing options "for the hard-working people of Redding" after the loss of homes during the Carr Fire

Shasta Lake City Manager Jessaca Lugo said her city will put the money toward a Centimudi water tank and a Lake Boulevard water line. Lugo said city officials feared they would run out of water when the Carr Fire approached the city. Now the funds will increase the city's water storage for the future.

Both Rep. Doug LaMalfa, R-Richvale, and Gov. Gavin Newsom announced the funding.

"Although it has taken too long from the time I allocated these funds to when the recipients actually received their award, I am pleased that they finally are receiving the aid Congress approved," LaMalfa said.

— Mike Chapman

Crews put out another human-caused brush fire in Redding

Friday, Aug. 19

For the second time in a week, Redding firefighters were dispatched to a vegetation fire that was later determined to have been started by a person, authorities said.

The fire was reported around 11 p.m. Thursday on the 5800 block of Cedars Road behind the Shady Oaks Mobile Home Park.

Crews were able to extinguish the quarter-acre blaze in 5 minutes, the Redding Fire Department said in a news release. There were no injuries and no structures were damaged.

Last Friday, firefighters put out a cluster of four small vegetation fires in north Redding on George Drive west of Interstate 5. Those fires also were caused by a person, investigators said.

Anyone with information about the fires is asked to call the Redding Fire Department at 530-225-4141.

— David Benda

Registration opens for charities to join North State Giving Tuesday

Thursday, Aug. 18

Registration opens Wednesday for qualifying nonprofits to be part of this year's North State Giving Tuesday charity drive.

From 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Nov. 29, charities accept donations online to further their work in Siskiyou, Shasta, Tehama and other North State counties. Sponsors will also offer $70,000 in prizes; winners are announced throughout the day.

North State Giving Tuesday raised over $6 million over the past nine years for nonprofits.

The event is hosted by the Community Foundation of the North State and presented by Columbia Bank. The Community Foundation helps organizations market themselves online.

For more information go to www.northstategives.org.

— Jessica Skropanic

Kitchen fire damages home, kills dog

Tuesday, Aug. 16

A kitchen fire that caused $100,000 in structural damages to a home began when a dog attempted to get food left on the gas stove.

The accidental fire was reported at 1:39 p.m. on Monday at the 2400 block of Corona Street and claimed one of four dogs that were on the property, according to a Redding Fire Department statement. No one was home at the time, except the animals.

Arriving firefighters took out three of four dogs that were in the home. The fourth was in the backyard and also got taken out of the property. One of the dogs died, while the other three were taken to a veterinarian to be checked.

Crews knocked down the fire, which was in the kitchen and attic, in about 20 minutes. The flames damaged half of the home, including the attic and sections of the roof.

The fire department estimated the fire caused $40,000 in damages to personal belongings.

— Jenny Espino

Tickets to go on sale for Asphalt Cowboys' annual barbecue

Tuesday, Aug. 16

Tickets go on sale Wednesday for the Asphalt Cowboys’ annual community barbecue, to be held 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sept. 11 at Lake Redding Park.

Tickets are $10 presale or $12 at the gate. People can eat at the park or pick up using the drive-thru.

Cowboys will be out in the community starting at 9 a.m. Wednesday to kick off the sales.

Tickets also will be available at Lulu’s at 2230 Pine St., Paint Mart at 2330 Larkspur Land and at the San Francisco Deli at 2395 Athens Ave.

A live auction goes from 1-3 p.m. during the barbecue with items up for bid that include a five-day, four-night houseboat vacation on Shasta Lake from Silverthorn Resort.

The meal is tri-tip or chicken, coleslaw, cowboy beans and garlic bread.

“We plan on feeding a lot of people,” Asphalt Cowboys spokesman Dave Tappan said.

— Mike Chapman

CHP cracks down on I-5 speeders

Saturday, Aug. 13

California Highway Patrol officers in Redding said they caught several speeders on Interstate 5 on Friday morning, including one driver who was clocked at 112 mph.

The CHP was on a mission to target speeders, which the agency says is the No. 1 cause of collisions in California.

"CHP Redding used (the) awesome “Specially Marked Patrol Vehicle” Chargers to help make the morning commute a little safer," the CHP said on Facebook.

The CHP used a LIDAR device and air support to catch the driver doing 112 mph. That driver got off the freeway as one of the CHP Chargers was coming up from behind.

"Thank goodness Air 13 was overhead to track the vehicle until the officer was able to catch up and stop the driver," the CHP said.

Other speeders pulled over were a motorcycle driver going 85 — who was seen doing 90-plus mph the day before — three vehicles going between 85 to 99 mph, and another driver hitting 105.

The CHP says it appreciates other drivers on the road who are quick to call out speeders

"We thank the concerned motorists who report these dangerous drivers on a daily basis," the CHP said.

— Mike Chapman

RFD: Small vegetation fire human-caused

Friday, Aug. 12

Firefighters quickly put out a cluster of four small vegetation fires in north Redding on Friday afternoon that authorities said was human-caused.

The blaze, which was less than an acre, was reported around 1:40 p.m. on George Drive west of Interstate 5.

There were no injuries and no buildings were damaged, the Redding Fire Department said.

Anyone with information about the blaze is asked to call the fire department at 530-225-4141.

— David Benda

Patriot Tour makes stop in Redding with flag that's traveling the nation

Saturday, Aug. 5

A procession of Harley-Davidson motorcycles rumbled under the giant U.S. flag on Bechelli Lane on Friday morning as part of the Patriot Tour.

Members of the Chico Harley Owners Group delivered the U.S. flag that's passing through all 50 states to honor all of the U.S. military, veterans and their families.

"The tour spans 15,000 miles and takes 115 days to complete. The flag is traditionally transported on the back of a motorcycle," the Nation of Patriots website says.

About 20 Harley motorcycles arrived for the transfer that included Redding and Chico HOG members. Redding members had met up with the Chico group before heading into Redding.

Redding HOG members took possession of the flag and they'll stop by the Redding Veterans Home on Saturday morning before doing a hand-off in Jackson County, Oregon.

Chico's Don Ferguson presented the flag to Redding's Valerie Sell in a ceremony that included the Pledge of Allegiance under the Bechelli banner.

The giant American flag that's flown next to Interstate 5 by the Enterprise Lions Club in Redding had been at half-staff through Thursday in honor of congresswoman Jackie Walorski, R-Ind., who was killed Wednesday in a car crash.

— Mike Chapman

Shasta County Public Health warns residents about scam phone calls

Thursday, Aug. 4

Shasta County is warning residents to be aware of recent scams and fraudulent activities by individuals posing as public health officials.

The Health and Human Services Agency has received tips from the public of scam phone calls and Facebook posts.

"The phone scammers say they are calling from Shasta County Public Health and request information on vaccination status. The Facebook scammer claimed to be an agent of Shasta County Public Health and requested money so that it can receive a large grant," a county news release said.

Public Health officials will contact people who have been exposed to certain infectious diseases and may request health information related to them, but they will never solicit money from the public or ask for personal information, such as Social Security number or bank account information, the news release said.

For more information on how to avoid scams, go to the Federal Trade Commission Consumer Advice website at consumer.ftc.gov/articles/how-avoid-scam.

Visit Report Fraud site at reportfraud.ftc.gov to report a scam.

— David Benda

David Benda covers business, development and anything else that comes up for the USA TODAY Network in Redding. He also writes the weekly "Buzz on the Street" column. He’s part of a team of dedicated reporters that investigate wrongdoing, cover breaking news and tell other stories about your community. Reach him on Twitter @DavidBenda_RS or by phone at 1-530-338-8323. To support and sustain this work, please subscribe today.

This article originally appeared on Redding Record Searchlight: Redding news roundup: Tuesday night fire on Oasis Road burns 2 acres