Incident Facts

Name
Hill Fire
Start Date/Time
2024-07-16
Incident Status
Active
Location
South of the community of Willow Creek in the Mosquito Creek Drainage
Type
Wildfire
Cause
Under Investigation
Counties
Humboldt
Administration Unit
Unified Command: Six Rivers National Forest and CAL FIRE Humboldt-Del Norte Unit
Unified Command Agency(s)
Size
5,582
Containment
4%
Structures Threatened
Structures Destroyed
Structures Damaged
Civilian Injuries
Firefighter Injuries
5
Civilian Fatalities
Firefighter Fatalities

Current Situation

Situation Summary

Yesterday, on the east side of the fire crews made significant progress with tactical firing operations along 6NO6 Forest Road to increase the depth of the fireline and eliminate pockets of fuel that could threaten its integrity.

The operation continued southward from the 5NO1A Road, moving towards the south end of the fire in the Mosquito Creek drainage. Progress was made in the southwest area of the fire with handline and hose lines in place.

Continuing north crews continued to secure the lines and mop up any hot spots. The spot fires in the northwest area did not show significant fire behavior or growth, and crews continue secure the perimeter.

Today, firefighters will utilize appropriate tactical firing operations to strengthen control lines and patrol perimeter to identify and mitigate the potential for escape outside of established control lines on the east side of the fire.

Heavy equipment and hand crews completed the fire line along the south end of the fire in the Mosquito Creek drainage out to 6NO6 Road. The west and north flanks of the fire continue to stay within their current footprint, and crews will be
patrolling and extinguishing hotspots near the fires edge. There are still pockets of unburned fuel within the fire perimeter. As these pockets continue to burn and smolder, residents will continue to see smoke coming from the fire
area.

The structure defense group continues to collaborate with local fire departments to assess residences in the area and develop a structure defense plan. Crews are also looking beyond the current fire lines and developing
contingency strategies in case the fire breaches containment lines.


For all updates and information on the fire visit: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/casrf-hill-fire 

Road Closures

Road closures are in place on Friday Ridge Rd. at Forest Service Route 6N06, Forest Route 5N35, and Route 1, Friday Fridge Rd. at Forest Route 5N04, and Berry Summit at Titlow Hill Road near the Highway 299 ramp. Highway 299 is not closed. For updated road closure information, visit protect.genasys.com or humboldtsheriff.org/emergency.

Redwood Acres, located at 3750 Harris St. in Eureka, has been activated as a CAL FIRE Incident Management Base Camp in response to the area wildfires. Redwood Acres is now closed to the public and all upcoming events at Redwood Acres have been canceled for at least the next two weeks. Please drive cautiously in the area as increased traffic from vehicles responding to the area wildfires is expected.

Due to the activation of this base camp, Humboldt County Public Works has closed Harris St. at Hubbard Ln. and Hall Ave. at Myrtle Ave. These closures will be in effect for at least the next two weeks. Please drive safely and use alternate routes. Visit humboldtgov.org/roads for the latest updates on county road closures and conditions.

Evacuation Zones

Evacuation Information:

Evacuation Orders and Warnings

Mandatory Evacuation Orders have been issued for the following zones. Leave now!

  • HUM-E076-A
  • HUM-E077-A
  • HUM-E077-B
  • HUM-E077-C

Evacuation Warnings have been issued for the following zones. Be prepared to leave!

  • HUM-E052-A
  • HUM-E062
  • HUM-E063-A
  • HUM-E063-B
  • HUM-E076-B
  • HUM-E100-A
  • HUM-E114-D
Prepare for potential evacuations, including personal supplies and overnight accommodations. Those in these zones should prepare to leave at a moment's notice. If additional evacuation orders are issued, more information will follow. Conditions are subject to change at any time.
Please visit protect.genasys.com for a full zone description. For more information, call 707-268-2500 or go to humboldtsheriff.org/emergency.
Sign up for Humboldt Alert emergency notifications at humboldtgov.org/alert. For more information, call 707-268-2500.

Evacuation Center

Trinity Valley Elementary School, 730 CA-96, Willow Creek, CA

The center will be open today, Saturday, July 20 until 8 p.m. while community needs are assessed

Assigned Resources

Numerous firefighting air tankers from throughout the State are flying fire suppression missions as conditions allow.

Engines
144
Water Tenders
35
Helicopters
11
Dozers
29
Hand Crews
52
Other
1716
Total Personnel
1995