News

UPDATE:

The Humboldt County Office of Emergency Services has announced a new Evacuation Order due to the Six Rivers Lightning Complex fire in the HUM-E063-B zone south of Willow Creek but states there is “no immediate threat to Willow Creek proper.”

The OES also announced that zone HUM-E057 has been downgraded to an Evacuation Warning, stating “residents in this zone may begin to return home with caution but should remain ready to evacuate again at a moment’s notice.”

Residents are also being asked to limit travel on Titlow Hill Road/Route 1 in zones HUM-E052 and HUM-E062 to essential traffic only “due to a large presence of fire personnel and machinery working to build containment lines for the Ammon Fire.

PREVIOUS:

ALERT –
Hazardous Conditions (AQI 301 and higher, 24 hr. avg): Burnt Ranch, Salyer, Hawkins Bar – Overall Hazardous

ADVISORY – Unhealthy to Very Unhealthy Conditions (AQI 151-300 range, 24 hr. avg):
Humboldt County:
Willow Creek – Very Unhealthy to Hazardous from late morning to mid afternoon Hyampom – Overall Unhealthy Weitchpec – USG to Unhealthy from mid-morning to mid-afternoon, then clearing
Trinity County:
Weaverville – Unhealthy with periods of Very Unhealthy, with improvement in the afternoon
Lewiston – Unhealthy with periods of Very Unhealthy, with improvement in the afternoon
Hayfork – Unhealthy this morning, clearing this afternoon, heavier smoke tonight

Regional Smoke Outlooks – Good, Moderate, to USG Conditions (AQI 0-150 range):
Humboldt County: Eureka (including Scotia to Trinidad) – Good air quality conditions
Willow Creek – Very Unhealthy to Hazardous from late morning to mid afternoon Hoopa – Overall Moderate, periods of USG to Unhealthy in the afternoon, then clearing
Orleans – Overall Moderate, periods of Unhealthy afternoon, then clearing Garberville & Redway – Good

Del Norte County:
Crescent City – Good
Gasquet – Good
Klamath – Good

The Lightning Complex Fire is currently 13,968 acres with 0% containment. There are 1,400 personnel assigned to the incident. USFS, CIIMT 11 and CAL FIRE continue to work together in order to create a single unified operational plan for firefighters to collectively fight fire and support the communities impacted.

Overnight in the area west of the Bremer Fire burning within the Lightning Complex, firefighters performed firing operations off dozer and handlines to remove fuels to protect homes. Crews will continue to monitor and patrol the fire to look for threats to control lines. If the visibility permits, aviation crews will assist ground firefighters with water drops.

On the northwest side of the Waterman Fire burning within the Lightning Complex, crews had a successful firing operations near the Four Road which held overnight without any challenges. To the north of this fire, resources were able to improve the dozer and handlines towards Horse Linto Creek and will continue to work in this area today. There was another firing operation on the far southeast side which was successful in removing fuels. Fire crews will continue to work in this area. Firefighters will be concentrating on securing the communities near Salyer Loop and Salyer Heights.

On the Campbell Fire burning within the Lightning Complex, resources continue to prep Waterman Road/The Four Road and make a turn towards Zigler Point and toward the community of Trinity. Crews did firing operations in this area that held well without challenges. To the southeastern edge of this fire, dozers put in line above Trinity Village. There were some challenges with spot fires, however fire crews were able to get these spots and bring them back into the main body of the fire. Nightshift crews were able to improve the lines that were made around spot fires and feel confident about those holding up.

On the west side of the Ammon Fire burning within the Lightning Complex, crews are scouting routes for dozer line that will be put in today. In the southeast corner, prep work continues with no current challenges to the line. Along Ammon Ridge prep work was completed yesterday and firefighters will continue to improve the line without any expected challenges in this area.

To the west side of this fire along Friday Ridge Road progress is slow as there are very thick fuels in this area. Dozer and handlines have been started on the northwest side of this fire and firefighters will continue to work in this area to connect to dozer line that has been put in from the northeast.

Overnight humidity recovery was moderate with values from 40-60% which was much drier than previous nights. Gradual warming and drying in the coming days means the fuels will be more susceptible to burning. The fire will be more active as the inversion lifts. Air operations will be limited due to poor visibility from the inversion layer. This will impact northern areas of the Lightning Complex. Strategic objectives are to keep the fire north of Ammon Ridge Road, south of Lone Pine Ridge Road, east of the FS-1 road and west of the boundary with the Shasta-Trinity National Forest.

EVACUATIONS ** NEW ORDER ISSUED FOR HUM-E032-B, northeast of Willow Creek. Zone description: HUM-E032-B north of Forest Route 7n02. South of Horse Linto Creek Road. East of Horse Linto Creek Road. West of Forest Route 7n10.

The fire threatens communities along the Trinity River. Five main fires burn North and South of Highway 299. Primary areas of focus are the communities along the 299 corridor, Waterman Ridge, Friday Ridge Road, and Ammon Ridge.

Evacuations continue around Willow Creek, Friday Ridge, Salyer and Trinity Village. Additional fire growth could impact communities and residences along the Route 1 road. To find the latest evacuation information go to Humboldt County Office of Emergency Services (https://humboldtgov.org/2383/Current-Emergencies) or Trinity County Office of Emergency Services (https://www.trinitycounty.org/OES). For an interactive map of evacuation zones visit: https://community.zonehaven.com/.

To sign up for alerts: www.humboldtgov.org/alerts.

If you are under an evacuation warning, take the necessary steps to be ready to leave.

EVACUATION CENTER Trinity Valley Elementary School 730 Highway 96, Willow Creek, CA 95573

ANIMAL EVACUATION CENTER Hoopa Rodeo Grounds 1767 Pine Creek Rd., Hoopa, CA 95546 Phone: (707) 492-2851 ** The Hoopa Rodeo Grounds has several single pens and larger pens for whole herds. Call directly if you need directions or help transporting your large animals. They cannot house sheep, goats, poultry, or small animals, but they can potentially help arrange for temporary foster placement. If you can foster, please reach out regarding your availability and capacity.

ROAD CLOSURES State Route 299, State Route 96, and Route 1 remain open to through traffic. Residents are encouraged to visit http://quickmap.dot.ca.gov/ to check for state highway closures. The following roads into evacuation zones have been closed. Residents may still use these roads to travel out of evacuation order zones: • Horse Linto Creek Road at Saddle Lane • Country Club Road at Kimtu Bridge • Friday Ridge Road at Hwy 299

SMOKE Heavy smoke and strong inversions continue to affect the health of those who are not yet evacuated. Please check https://www.ncuaqmd.org for air quality resources.