Brook

Brook Fire Report - July 22, 2026

1 - Fire Start, Size and Growth

Start Date/Time/Location: The Brook Fire ignited at approximately 4:15 p.m. on Saturday, July 18, 2026, near Elk Trail and Highline Trail in Bella Vista, Shasta County, California.
Size and Containment: As of Tuesday morning, July 21, 2026, the fire has burned 502 acres and is currently 58% contained.
Fuels, Growth and Rate of Spread: The fire ignited in remote, hard-to-reach terrain. Fire conditions intensified sharply shortly after ignition on July 18, sparking multiple spot fires and leading to rapid initial growth before stabilizing.
Containment Efforts: Firefighters have made significant progress over the last 72 hours. Ground crews and heavy equipment have successfully constructed hand lines, dozer lines, and direct control lines around the entire perimeter of the fire. Current efforts are focused on extensive mop-up operations, securing the fire's interior, and extinguishing remaining hot spots. Fire officials do not expect any further forward growth.

2 - Emergency Information

Evacuations and Sheltering:
Mandatory Evacuation Orders: All previous mandatory evacuation orders have been successfully reduced to warnings as fire lines have been strengthened.
Evacuation Warnings: Evacuation warnings remain in effect for zones BEV-4250 and BEV-4370. Residents in these areas should remain vigilant and prepared to leave if conditions change.
Evacuation Shelters and Information: A Red Cross Evacuation Shelter is open for displaced community members at Pilgrim Congregational Church, located at 2850 Foothill Blvd, Redding, CA 96001.

Road and Infrastructure Closures:

• While specific widespread road closures have been lifted, residents are advised to use extreme caution while traveling through the Bella Vista area due to the heavy presence of emergency vehicles and fire apparatus.
• No widespread school or critical infrastructure closures are currently in effect.

For more information on evacuations and road closures, visit:

• CAL FIRE Current Incidents Page
• CAL FIRE Shasta-Trinity Unit (SHU) Official Updates
• Shasta County Office of Emergency Services

3 - Current Impact

Impacts:
Injuries and Fatalities: On Saturday, July 18, seven members of a CAL FIRE Vina Helitack crew (a fire captain and six firefighters) became entrapped and suffered minor burn injuries during fire suppression operations on a steep incline. They were treated at the scene, transported to Redding-area hospitals for evaluation, and released that same evening. CAL FIRE has deployed a Serious Accident Review Team (SART) to investigate the incident. No civilian fatalities or injuries have been reported.
Structures Impacted: Because the fire is burning in remote, rugged terrain, no structures have been reported damaged or destroyed at this time.
Notable Impacts: The primary impact has been on the local Bella Vista community, which faced sudden evacuations over the weekend, as well as the temporary displacement of residents utilizing the Red Cross shelter.

Safety Concerns:
Power Outages: No major Public Safety Power Shutoffs (PSPS) or fire-related outages have been reported in connection with this incident.
Air Quality and Visibility: Smoke may remain visible to nearby communities as unburned "islands" of vegetation within the fire's containment perimeter continue to be consumed. Residents with respiratory conditions should stay indoors and keep windows closed if smoke settles into the valley.
Fire Restrictions: Standard summer fire restrictions and burn bans remain strictly in effect for Shasta County due to the heightened fire danger.

4 - Ongoing Outlook

Containment Projections: With 58% containment and control lines fully established around the perimeter, firefighters are confident that the fire will remain within its current 502-acre footprint. Crews will continue to work aggressively on mop-up operations over the coming days to ensure all interior hot spots are fully extinguished before reaching full containment.
Weather and Wind Warnings: Fire activity remains stable, but isolated thunderstorms remain possible in the valley north of the incident. Fire officials are closely monitoring the weather for any shifts in wind or dry lightning that could impact the area or spark new fires.

5 - Cause and the Role of Weather and Climate

Cause: The official cause of the Brook Fire remains under investigation by CAL FIRE.
Weather and Climate: The fire's behavior was heavily influenced by the intense summer climate typical of Northern California. On the day of ignition, changing weather conditions caused fire activity to intensify sharply around 5:00 p.m., leading to spot fires and challenging initial attack efforts. The ongoing threat of isolated thunderstorms highlights the volatile weather patterns driving the region's current extreme fire season.

6 - For more information, visit:

• CAL FIRE Incidents Page
• Shasta County Sheriff's Office
• American Red Cross - Northern California Region