Estimated read time: 1-2 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
SHASTA-TRINITY NATIONAL FOREST, Calif. (AP) — The Latest on wildfires in California (all times local):
7:15 a.m.
A major West Coast highway remains closed for a third day as a wildfire continues to rage on forest flanking it in Northern California.
The California Highway Patrol says reopening Interstate 5 is a priority but that highway patrol, fire and transportation officials will meet Friday to assess when to reopen the interstate running from the U.S.-Mexico border to the U.S.-Canada border.
Officials say the condition of the pavement is a concern along with burned trees along the highway that might be in danger of falling down. Some are 70 feet (21 meters) tall.
The 45-mile (72-kilometer) stretch of highway near the state line with Oregon has been closed since a fire Wednesday turned hills both sides of the roadway into walls of flame.
___
12:00 a.m.
Authorities are still mulling whether to reopen a major highway that's been closed for two days by a raging Northern California wildfire.
Officials must first determine if it's safe to resume travel on a 45-mile (72-kilometer) stretch of Interstate 5 near the Oregon state line. The highway was closed on Wednesday as fire erupted on both sides.
Fire spokesman Brandon Vacarro says work crews have cleared away burned and abandoned trucks that littered the road after the swift-moving blaze erupted but they must also determine whether charred 70-foot (21-meter) trees along the road are in danger of falling.
The so called Delta Fire has burned more than 34 square miles (88 square kilometers) and prompted evacuation orders for scattered homes and buildings in three counties in and around Shasta-Trinity National Forest.
Copyright © The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
