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
7,098
Containment
14%
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 

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:

Hill Fire 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

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
113
Water Tenders
33
Helicopters
12
Dozers
20
Hand Crews
55
Total Personnel
1882