News

Due to "positive developments" in the Knob Fire, evacuation orders in areas east of State Route 299 to the Trinity River and south of Butterfly Creek Road to Friday Ridge Road have been downgraded to an evacuation warning.

"Residents who live in this area may begin to return home, but should remain ready to evacuate again at a moment’s notice should fire conditions change," an evening update states.

State Route 299 will reopen to all traffic beginning tonight at 6 p.m.

Both the reopening of State Route 299 and the evacuation warnings are dependent on favorable fire behavior and are subject to change should conditions change.

The Knob Fire originated on Aug. 29 is currently at 2,798 acres and 52 percent contained.

Read the full press release below.

Sept. 3, 2021 | Humboldt OES Knob Fire Response Afternoon Update

Due to positive developments in fire behavior and successful work to contain the Knob Fire, the Evacuation Order for the following areas will be downgraded to an Evacuation Warning beginning tonight, Sept. 3, 2021 at 6 p.m.:

• All areas east of Highway 299 to the Trinity River, south of Butterfly Creek Road to Friday Ridge Road.

Residents who live in this area may begin to return home, but should remain ready to evacuate again at a moment’s notice should fire conditions change.

Additionally, State Route 299 will reopen to all traffic beginning tonight at 6 p.m. The above transitions are dependent on favorable fire behavior and are subject to change should conditions deteriorate.

CURRENT SITUATION

The Knob Fire originated Sunday, Aug. 29, 2021 between 4:00 and 5:00 pm. It is burning in timber, brush and grass. The U.S. Forest Service (USFS) is leading fire suppression efforts. According to California Incident Management Team 5, as of 4 p.m. September 3, the Knob Fire is approximately 2,798 acres and 52% contained. More information about the USFS response to the Knob Fire and current acreage/containment estimates can be found here: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7750/

According to the Pacific Gas and Electric Company, approximately 640 Humboldt County customers are without power as of 4 p.m. September 3. See outage map: https://pgealerts.alerts.pge.com/outages/map/

Humboldt County Sheriff’s deputies continue to patrol the mandatory evacuation zones and liaise with the fire Incident Management Team to ensure the safety of residents.

The Sheriff’s Office would like to remind members of the public that re-entry into Evacuation Order zones is prohibited by law. Community members wanting to help in the neighborhood defense effort are encouraged to assist in hardening homes and properties outside the evacuation order zone. Learn more about how to harden your home against wildfire at: https://www.readyforwildfire.org/prepare-for-wildfire/get-ready/

The Humboldt County Office of Emergency Services is currently reviewing Agricultural Access Passes for access into some restricted areas for agricultural producers. Agricultural producers issued an Access Pass with operations located within an evacuation order zone must notify OES or the Agricultural Commissioner’s Office of their interest in accessing the property. Authorization to enter restricted zones will be given daily and decided based upon the conditions.

EVACUATION INFORMATION

EVACUATION ORDERS remain in effect for:

• Areas east of Brushy Mountain Lookout Road/Forest Route 6N08A to Highway 299, south of Victor Creek to the end of Forest Route 6N20.

An EVACUATION WARNING remains in effect for:

•  Areas east of Boise Creek to the Humboldt/Trinity County Line, south of the Trinity River to Victor Creek.
• All areas east of Highway 299 to the Trinity River, south of Butterfly Creek Road to Friday Ridge Road. (Beginning 9/3/2021 at 6 p.m.)

A map of evacuation zones is available at tinyurl.com/humcoevacmap

CURRENT ROAD CONDITIONS

The following road closures are in effect related to the Knob Fire:

• China Creek Road at Hodgson Road;
• Burwood Drive;
• Gypo Lane;
• Friday Ridge Road;
• Panther Road.

The above routes are closed to entering traffic, but may be used by residents to leave the area in compliance with the evacuation orders.

Road conditions are subject to change based upon fire activity and public safety. Residents are encouraged to visit http://quickmap.dot.ca.gov/ to check for state highway closures.

RESOURCES FOR THE COMMUNITY

An Evacuation Center remains open at the McKinleyville Seventh Day Adventist Church, located at 1200 Central Avenue, McKinleyville, for evacuees. Resources available at this location include:

• Overnight sheltering;
• Restrooms;
• Water;
• Red Cross services.

Large animal sheltering is available at the Hoopa Rodeo Grounds, located on Pine Creek Road in Hoopa.

Domestic pet sheltering is available at the following Red Cross Evacuation Centers:

• McKinleyville Seventh Day Adventist | 1200 Central Avenue, McKinleyville, CA
• Firemen’s Pavilion | 9 Park St., Fortuna, CA

Voting Information for Wildfire Evacuees:

https://humboldtgov.org/2946/38197/Press-Releases-Notices-Recall2021

SIGN UP FOR HUMBOLDT ALERT

County residents are encouraged to sign up for county emergency notifications via Humboldt Alert at humboldtgov.org/alerts. Residents must opt-in to receive evacuation notifications via phone or email.

If having trouble signing up for Humboldt Alert online, please contact the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office of Emergency Services at 707-268-2500

FOR MORE INFORMATION

Due to the Labor Day Holiday, Humboldt County OES will not be issuing daily press release updates unless there are major changes in fire behavior. Daily information updates will continue to be distributed by the United States Forest Service online at: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7750/ and on the U.S. Forest Service - Shasta-Trinity National Forest Facebook Page.

For more information regarding the Knob Fire, current impact and evacuation areas, please go to humboldtsheriff.org, visit @HumCoOES on Facebook and Twitter, or call 707-268-2500.