[10] The fire was reported on the afternoon of July 23, 2018, near the intersection of Highway 299 and Carr Powerhouse Road in the Whiskeytown district of the Whiskeytown–Shasta–Trinity National Recreation Area.

The fire was started when a flat tire on a vehicle caused the wheel's rim to scrape against the asphalt, creating sparks.

[11] On July 26, the fire jumped the Sacramento River, making its way into the city of Redding, causing the evacuation of 38,000 people.

One of the tires on the trailer blew out, causing the steel rim to scrape along the pavement, generating sparks that ignited dry vegetation along the edge of the highway.

[12][13] Hot conditions and steep, inaccessible terrain presented challenges for fire crews as they strengthened containment lines.

[1] The fire jumped the Sacramento River and portions of the western area of Redding were put under mandatory evacuation orders.

[20] Just after midnight, evacuation orders were put in place for Shasta Dam, Summit City, and neighborhoods in western Redding.

[24] Amtrak announced that their Coast Starlight service would stop in Sacramento and Klamath Falls with alternative transportation being provided.

[23] The Shasta College evacuation center reached capacity by July 28 and two more shelters operated by the Red Cross, and one at Grace Baptist Church, were opened.

[30] In the evening, new evacuation orders were put in place for Highway 299 at Trinity Dam Road west to Douglas City and other nearby subdivisions.

[31] A sixth fatality was reported on July 29, as the fire moved from densely populated areas and into rural parts of Shasta and Trinity Counties.

[32] The next day, repopulation began of areas of western Redding, Shasta Lake, and Happy Valley that had previously been evacuated.

[33][34][35] Overnight, strengthening containment lines remained a priority as east and west winds converged and created challenges for firefighters.

[1] Repopulation efforts continued, starting on the morning of July 31 for areas of western Redding, Summit City, Buckeye, and Happy Valley.

[41] Substantial damage occurred in areas untouched by fire, including signs of ground scouring.

[40] Three people were killed inside their Redding home after the structure's walls were blown out and the roof collapsed on the occupants.

[39] Late morning, evacuation orders were lifted for the Mary Lake Subdivision and, later in the day, residents were allowed back to Plateau Road.

[43] The area west of Lakehead, California, was closed to public access to allow for fire crews' safety.

California Governor Jerry Brown toured the site and announced that he had requested a major disaster declaration, which provides federal assistance.

Early that morning, a Cal Fire heavy equipment mechanic was killed in a traffic incident, bringing the total number of fatalities to eight.

[1] Access to the remains of the historic ghost town of Gas Point was restricted due to the fire.

[14] The fire affected air quality throughout Northern California and the Central Valley down to Bakersfield, Oregon, Washington and Nevada.