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
6,623
Containment
10%
Structures Threatened
Structures Destroyed
Structures Damaged
Civilian Injuries
Firefighter Injuries
5
Civilian Fatalities
Firefighter Fatalities

Current Situation

Situation Summary

Yesterday, as local temperatures increased, firefighters worked tirelessly on the Hill Fire. On the southern perimeter, constructed lines were held, and additional depth was achieved by focusing on areas of unburned fuel.

Along the western and northern edges, crews diligently monitored previously contained areas and conducted mop-up operations to address hotspots. Crews connected handlines surrounding pockets of heat north of the fire, with ongoing efforts to extinguish these areas in the coming days fully.

Spotting was observed on Sugarloaf Mountain, prompting firefighters to strategically reposition resources to work on containment. Crews are working the spot fire from the north and south, with the support of aircraft, and actively engaging the fire directly to achieve containment.

Today, crews and air resources continue to focus directly on the spot fire located on Sugarloaf Mountain. Meanwhile, on the west side, crews are engaged in mop-up operations and patrolling the area to ensure containment.
There will be a community meeting tonight at the Willow Creek Bible Church at 7:00 PM.

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.

Incident Photos

Hill Fire Photo Album

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
134
Water Tenders
36
Helicopters
12
Dozers
22
Hand Crews
61
Total Personnel
2075