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
7,111
Containment
17%
Structures Threatened
Structures Destroyed
Structures Damaged
Civilian Injuries
Firefighter Injuries
5
Civilian Fatalities
Firefighter Fatalities

Current Situation

Situation Summary

Hot and dry weather persisted yesterday, testing containment lines. All established lines were held, and firefighters continued to work around the clock to implement a full suppression strategy.

Suppression and mop-up efforts from firefighters have been effective along the north, west, and south of the fire. To the east of the fire, resources have focused on the east side of Sugarloaf Mountain, addressing the spot fire that occurred two days ago. Direct and indirect dozer lines have been established and tied into Forest Road 5N14, as this area has become the top priority for crews to contain. There was no movement on the spot fire last night.

Crews will continue to workday and night and utilize aircraft to ensure the fire remains within its current containment lines. Contingency lines will be completed to the south and along the Hennessy Ridge in the east. A structure defense plan is in place, and resources are in the communities' assessment of structures.

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

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.

Incident Photos

Hill Fire Photo Album

Evacuation Zones

Evacuation Information:

Trinity County Orders and Warnings

Per the Trinity County Sheriff's Office, Zones ST-500 and SFT-501 are now under an Evacuation WARNING.

SFT-500

Surprise Creek at Trinity River, North, following Trinity River to Mahala Creek, East to Hennessy Ridge/ 6N12, South East to 5N40 Road.

SFT-501
South Fork River at Underwood Creek, North following South Fork River to Surprise Creek, East following Surprise Creek to 5N40, South East to 5N60 Road, South to Panther Creek, West following Panther Creek to South Fork River.
Area residents and visitors in the above-listed areas, if elderly, have medical issues, have small children, or have livestock and pets, need to be prepared to leave the area in case of increased fire activity.
While leaving the area use caution as emergency vehicles assisting with evacuations, structure protection and fire suppression efforts will be on the roadways.
For full zone descriptions, visit https://tinyurl.com/msmeb7mc You can reach County OES on 530-623-1116 with questions.
Also more information can be found on https://www.trinitycounty.org/OES

Assigned Resources

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

Engines
104
Water Tenders
33
Helicopters
11
Dozers
20
Hand Crews
46
Total Personnel
1699