Carr Fire levels, ravages Redding neighborhood https://t.co/oDiP2cs98e pic.twitter.com/S3RQJWyUj1
— USA TODAY Video (@usatodayvideo) August 3, 2018
Truck drivers providing emergency relief to areas of California, Oregon and Washington affected by wildfires are temporarily exempt from certain regulations, including hours of service.
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s Western Service Center issued a regional emergency declaration this week as a result of emergency declarations from governors of the three states.
The declaration addresses “existing and anticipated emergency conditions creating need for immediate transportation of supplies, equipment and persons, and provides necessary relief.” It applies to truckers providing “direct assistance” during the emergency. “Direct assistance” ends when a driver or truck is used in interstate commerce not directly supporting the emergency relief effort.
The declaration is in effect through the duration of the emergency, or until 11:59 p.m. on Aug. 31.
According to Cal Fire, the Carr Fire near Redding, California has engulfed more than 130,000 acres and is only 39 percent contained as of Friday morning. More than 1,000 residences, 19 commercial structures and 481 outbuildings have been destroyed by the fire so far.
The latest Modis image shows the multiple wildfires burning across CA. #CAwx pic.twitter.com/r1bWf1c0iv
— NWS Sacramento (@NWSSacramento) August 1, 2018
