Brook Fire Near Bella Vista: Quick CAL FIRE Response, Scanner Traffic Reports Up to 7 Firefighters Injured

A fast-moving vegetation fire that ignited Saturday afternoon just northeast of Bella Vista has burned more than 500 acres in rugged terrain north of Highway 299, prompting evacuations and a major CAL FIRE response.

The Brook Fire broke out around 4:11–4:15 p.m. Saturday, July 18, near Holbrook Drive and Aloha Road (also reported near Elk Trail and Highline Trail), roughly four miles northeast of Bella Vista. It exploded from an estimated 20 acres to 40 acres within minutes under hot, dry conditions and light winds, then continued to grow through dry brush, with short-range spotting.

Fire retardant being dropped over the Brook Fire - Credit: krcrtv.com

By Sunday evening, the fire was mapped at 502 acres with 20% containment. Growth slowed after the initial run as hundreds of firefighters, dozers, and aircraft built and strengthened containment lines. Night-flying helicopters dropped water through the early morning hours Sunday, and ground crews made steady progress despite limited access and challenging terrain.

Injuries

Radio scanner traffic Saturday afternoon and evening indicated up to seven firefighters injured, with reports of crews being flown off the fire line with burns. Officials later confirmed that seven firefighters from CAL FIRE’s Vina Helitack sustained minor burn injuries during a burnover while conducting suppression operations. All were evaluated at local hospitals, treated, and released. CAL FIRE stated that Vina Helitack Base remains fully staffed and operational. A departmental review of the incident is underway. No civilian injuries or fatalities have been reported.

Evacuations and Impact

The Shasta County Sheriff’s Office issued evacuation orders for multiple zones in Bella Vista and Jones Valley (including BEV-4250, BEV-4370, and several JVA zones) as the fire threatened homes. Some orders and warnings were later reduced or lifted as containment improved; residents should check the latest status on Genasys Protect (protect.genasys.com) or Alert Shasta.

Road closures affected Aloha Road/Blue Sky Road at Highway 299, portions of Dry Creek Road, Elk Trail, and Backbone Ridge areas. An evacuation shelter was established at Pilgrim Congregational Church, 2850 Foothill Boulevard in Redding.

No structures have been reported destroyed, though homes were threatened early in the incident.

Cause and Response

The cause remains under investigation. CAL FIRE Shasta-Trinity Unit led a rapid initial attack with significant mutual-aid resources, including air tankers, helicopters, engines, dozers, and hand crews. Local observers and scanner traffic noted the quick aerial response as key to slowing the fire’s northward push toward the Pit River arm of Lake Shasta.

Shasta Unfiltered will continue to monitor. For the most current official information, check CAL FIRE, the Shasta County Sheriff’s Office, and Genasys Protect.