I-5 closed north of Redding due to 2,000-acre fire-threatening structures

REDDING, California (KGO) –

Thousands of motorists were trapped on Interstate 5 as a rapid fire spread dangerously near passing cars. The highway was closed in both directions near Redding as flames erupted this afternoon. A huge plume of smoke could be seen from above, while those near the flames feared for their lives.

"Look at this side that has just been taken, we can not stay here! We can not stay here baby. We have to walk!" shouted Narraf Elesse, who published his poignant experience on Instagram.

It has been named the Delta Fire and up to now, the flames do not burn near big cities, but it threatens a number of cottages and campgrounds.

VIDEO: Close encounter with forest fires next to I-5 near Redding photographed

Firefighters in Shasta County are conducting evacuations on both sides of I-5, which is closed approximately 10 miles north of Redding, in an area just south of Mount Shasta. Julio Vega was stuck in traffic. We spoke to him via Skype.

"It seemed like it was happening to us some of the guys in front of us, I do not know how five or ten trucks in front of us were closer, they had to drop their trailers and turn around," Vega said.

The US Forest Service has launched a complete ground and aircraft response. 600 firefighters were called.

This fire comes a few weeks after Carr's fire. This destroyed nearly 1,100 homes and killed eight people in the same area. It was declared content last week.

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PHOTOS: A look at California's burning forest fires