LOCAL FIREFIGHTERS BATTLE DALE WILDFIRE

Local firefighters are on the front lines today battling a 1,200-acre wildfire. Cal Fire Humboldt- Del Norte in Fortuna has sent most of their engines and manpower to Shasta County to help put what they're calling the "Dale" wildfire, out. It already has destroyed homes and has neighborhoods evacuated. Six aerial attack units are there to dump thousands of gallons of water and fire retardant.
"Air crews will drop from above, then ground crews will follow up on that to contain the fire," said Cal Fire Captain Dieter Schmitt.
 
Friday on the ground, Humboldt firefighters are on the front lines. Cal Fire Humboldt- Del Norte has sent 5 engines and dozens of firefighters to battle the 12-hundred acre blaze. Its burning in Happy Valley southwest of Redding.
 
"Shasta-Trinity being our neighbor we frequently get called to send personnel over there," Schmitt said.  
From their command post in Fortuna, they're working with Shasta units to guide 37 fire crews using 88 engines and over one thousand firefighters. Two outbuildings in the area have been destroyed and five residences damaged. Eighty homes have been evacuated, 150 have been threatened. Day two of the fire and no cause has been determined.
 
"They'll investigate and do an origin and cause investigation," Schmitt said.
 
Its one of the largest fires so far in California this wildfire season. Because it’s hitting closer to home, fire officials say its time to be ready.
 
"We ready for the wildfire, to be ready to get out of their home and then implement that plan.
 
As of Friday evening the fire is only 40 percent contained. No major highways between Humboldt and Shasta have been closed as the fire continues to burn in a northwest direction. Cal Fire is reporting one injury.