Hill, Six Rivers NF

Hill, Six Rivers NF, USFS. Eleven miles south of Willow Creek, CA. Timber and medium slash. Minimal fire behavior with creeping, smoldering and backing. Structures threatened. Area, road and trail closures in effect.

August 3, 2024 at 12:05 PM

Minimal fire behavior is expected as consumption of interior pockets diminishes. Expect isolated smoke production from snags and stump holes interior. Some heat remains in berms near Mosquito Creek that could cause spotting if not addressed, however, no movement beyond control features is anticipated. Interior heat has diminished near control features as mop-up has continued to gain depth and secure control lines. Heavy dead and down fuels will retain heat and continue to smolder.

The primary carrier of fire at lower elevations is timber under-story in mixed hardwood-conifer stands. The mid and lower elevation surface fuels contain pockets of substantial hardwood dead and down component resulting from previous winter snow and ice events. Upper elevations are a timber under-story dominated by moderate brush & conifer reproductions with conifer litter beneath conifer overstory. 

The eastern portion of the fire has entered a 2008 fire footprint (Hell’s Half Fire) that burned at mixed low to moderate severity in most places. The fuels in this area are composed of a heavy amount of large dead and down logs with dense brush and tree reproduction, including ceanothus species, madrone and conifers.

July 30, 2024 at 8:42 AM

Fire crews are diligently working to improve containment of the Hill Fire daily. Last night, hotspots from deep-burning logs were discovered on Sugarloaf Mountain and were promptly extinguished. Crews are also addressing and extinguishing hotspots in other areas as interior smoke decreases and equipment is being backhauled.

Yesterday, with the assistance of Resource Advisors, firefighters enhanced suppression repair efforts to restore the environment to its natural condition. One effective tactic being used is the construction of waterbars. These are dirt berms, 1-2 feet high, placed along firebreaks or roadways to direct water runoff to the surrounding area. Waterbars help minimize erosion and protect natural resources that have been impacted during firefighting operations.

Evacuation orders and warnings have been revised for the Hill Fire. Please see the links below for information on the changes.

This written update will occur every other day, the next written update will be August 1^st.

WEATHER:

Marine influence will peak today with some patchy marine fog even possible in low valleys. Highs will struggle to even reach 80, especially on the west side of the fire, with RH solidly above 30 percent. Mostly gentle terrain winds will persist with only a moderate northwest sea breeze in the afternoon. An inversion will quickly return tonight, bringing much poorer RH recoveries to high ridges. Conditions will warm and dry sharply on Wednesday with highs returning to near 90 and RH below 30 percent. Despite a weaker sea breeze, better mixing will slightly enhance terrain-based winds.

CLOSURES:

Forest Closure Order currently in effect for the area impacted by the Hill Fire. It is temporarily prohibited to be on any national forest system land, trail, or road within the closure area. To view the closure order and map of closure area visit the following link www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/fseprd1191963.pdf.

Road closures are currently in place on Friday Ridge Rd. at Forest Service Route 6N06, Friday Ridge Rd. at Forest Route 5N01 and Friday Fridge Rd. at Forest Route 5N04. For updated road closure information,

visit protect.genasys.com or humboldtsheriff.org/emergency.

FIRE RESTRICTIONS:

Forest fire restrictions also went into effect on July 12^th. Campfires and stove fires are restricted to those developed areas listed in the forest order located at https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/fseprd1188610.pdf. Smoking, welding, and operating an internal combustion engine also have restrictions in place.

EVACUATIONS:

Humboldt County: Evacuation order and warnings remain in effect. For current updates on evacuations, visit https://www.facebook.com/HumboldtSheriff and https://humboldtgov.org/2383/Current-Emergencies.

Conditions are subject to change at any time, visit https://protect.genasys.com/search for a full zone description. Sign up for Humboldt Alert emergency notifications at https://humboldtgov.org/2014/Emergency-Notifications

Trinity County: Evacuation warnings remain in effect. For current updates on evacuations, visit https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100064589806351 and https://www.trinitycounty.org/OES

July 29, 2024 at 8:03 AM

Crews focused on patrolling the containment lines and mopping up hotspots yesterday, specifically at Mosquito Creek, Buck Creek, and Spike Buck Mountain, where stubborn fuels continued to smolder. Unmanned aircraft fixed with infrared cameras helped to detect heat throughout the fire area. Firefighters on foot used a tactic called “gridding,” where they patrol individual zones seeking out and extinguishing hotspots. Gridding allows crews to efficiently search large plots of land and ensure that all pockets of heat are eliminated.

While firefighters work to ensure no fire remains, other crews have begun the process of equipment and trash removal and suppression repair. All used equipment will be packed up and hauled back out. Yesterday, crews backhauled around 100,000 feet of hose from the containment zones. That’s almost 19 miles of hose! Suppression repair has also been completed from the South Fork of the Trinity River to Route 1.

WEATHER:
A lifting marine layer will envelop the fire over the next couple days, bringing unusually moderate relative humidity and cool temperatures. Winds will remain gentle to calm with afternoon sea breeze from the northwest being the strongest wind. The marine inversion may still bring some poor humidity recovery overnight, especially peaks above 4000 feet, but dry period overnight will be particularly isolated and short lived. Despite and increased mixing height, generally low instability will inhibit smoke and mixing.

July 28, 2024 at 7:09 PM

Minimal fire behavior reported. Structures are threatened with Evacuation Orders and Warnings in place. The community of Salyer remains threatened. Threats remain to critical power and communication infrastructure, private timberlands, critical wildlife habitat, cultural and natural resources. Road, area and trail closures in effect. The incident is being managed under unified command with CICIMT 4 (Opliger) and CAL FIRE Team 2 (Scheurich).

July 28, 2024 at 7:37 AM

Yesterday, firefighters continued to mop up and patrol the perimeter of the fire. Personnel identified some isolated hotspots in the Spike Buck Mountain, Buck Creek, and Mosquito Creek portions of the fire. Crews continue to mop up the Sugar Loaf Mountain Spot Fire, with limited hotspots remaining. The spot fires located to the northwest of the main fire have been completely mopped up and are now fully contained. All hotspots are well interior and the fire continues to remain within containment lines. The improved weather conditions will remain, helping mop up efforts as crews continue to patrol the fire perimeter.

Suppression repair efforts began yesterday. These operations will progress through the coming days utilizing hand crews and heavy equipment, under the guidance of resource advisors. The improved weather conditions will help in supporting the recovery operations.

Personnel continue to face hazards within the fire perimeter. These hazards include steep terrain and fire weakened trees. Smoke may still be visible as some of the heavier fuels continue to burn well within the fire containment lines.

Weather:

A cutoff shortwave trough passing over the area today will create a complex but generally moderate fire weather environment. Southeast wind in the morning will generally enhance the surface inversion and delay afternoon sea breeze, similar to how it did Friday. That said, cool marine air easing into the area will continue to gradually decrease temperatures and increase RH, especially in the afternoon. Winds will generally be terrain influenced, with gusts generally below 15mph. Marine influence will only increase Sunday, with slightly better smoke mixing.

July 26, 2024 at 9:58 AM

The number one priority for firefighters is the Sugarloaf Mountain area, and crews are working around the clock to the keep the fire within established dozer and handlines.

With the increased humidity and lower temperatures, tactical firing was done yesterday and through the evening, supported by aircraft. This strategy aimed to gradually move the fire down Sugarloaf Mountain toward Forest Road 5N14. This road extends north and connects with a dozer line that ties back to 6N06 Road, creating a perimeter around the fire. These operations have been successful and are ongoing. Activities have been slow and methodical as the steep terrain presents safety issues for the crews. Fire-burned trees, loose soil, and dislodged rocks call for extra awareness.

Control lines in the north, west, and south are holding firm, with crews actively mopping up and patrolling these areas. They will also focus on removing hazardous trees and those threatening the containment lines.

Contingency line construction continues to the south and along the Hennessy Ridge in the east. The Structure Defense Group has worked with local agencies to evaluate residences, roadways, and other values at risk.

WEATHER:

Today, conditions will get better with more marine influence. The inversion layer will help humidity levels go up, reaching mostly above 30 percent during the day. Temperatures will also drop, staying mostly below 80 degrees. Winds will be mostly influenced by the terrain, blowing from the northwest at higher elevations in the afternoon.

July 25, 2024 at 9:48 AM

Hot and dry weather persisted yesterday and tested containment lines. All established lines 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 work day 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 assessing structures.

Weather:

Conditions will begin to ease today. However, battling winds will persist, fighting from the southeast to northeast. Wind will generally be calmer than the past couple of days, but still expect some inconsistent wind gusts to 20 mph in the afternoon. Relative humidity will generally increase with falling temperatures and more marine influence, but still expect dry conditions below 30%. Calmer weather will build back by Friday.

July 24, 2024 at 9:29 AM

Yesterday, as local temperatures increased, firefighters worked tirelessly on the Hill Fire. On the southern perimeter, constructed lines 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.

WEATHER:

A passing upper-level shortwave will help ease heat today and slightly increase relative humidity. Expect smoke to lift more than previous days with inconsistent smoke transport out of the area. Winds will battle from southeast in the morning to west in the afternoon, with infrequent and inconsistent gust up to 20 mph. Winds will be heavily terrain influenced. A slight chance of thunderstorms will continue through the early afternoon with any storms most likely to be dry, isolated, and fast moving.

July 24, 2024 at 8:29 AM

Hill Fire Community Meeting July 24, 2024 at 7pm

Location: Willow Creek Bible Church

39 Brannon Mt. Rd., in Willow Creek

Hosted By: Hill Fire Incident Management Team

July 23, 2024 at 6:10 PM

Increasing temperatures, decreasing humidity, and slightly improved mixing have led to more active interior fire behavior. This has resulted in interior consumption and is beginning to cause spot fires outside control features. (DIV L).

Short-range spotting is ongoing due to both interior consumption and re-burn of areas with poor consumption, canopy scorch, or needle fall.

Tomorrow’s conditions will be similar in terms of temperatures and humidity, but there is a slight chance of thunderstorms. If thunderstorms develop, the associated outflow winds will further increase the spotting potential and significantly extend the spotting distance potential, with spots possible 3/4 to 1 mile from the source.

High pressure has peaked today, pushing low elevation temperatures near 100°F and even high ridges around 90°F. Relative humidity (RH) has consistently dropped to around 20 percent, and a very weak sea breeze this evening is unlikely to provide much relief. A strong but shallow inversion will trap smoke near the fire tonight, and poor RH recovery as low as 30 percent or briefly even lower is expected.

A passing upper-level disturbance will bring a slight chance (15%) of dry thunderstorms overnight into early Wednesday morning. Though unlikely, any storms that do occur could be very impactful given the dry conditions. Hot and dry conditions will persist on Wednesday, with enhanced south and then west winds in the afternoon. Much calmer and cooler conditions are expected to build through the rest of the week.

July 23, 2024 at 9:29 AM

Favorable weather patterns during the early part of the week allowed firefighters to gain good positioning on the Hill Fire and increase containment to 8%. Tactical firing along Forest Road 6N06 on the eastern boundary of the fire has enabled crews to create as much as 200 feet of depth between the fireline and the primary fire expanding the fire footprint 7074 acres. This strategic approach continued with unmanned aircraft assisting in the evening, further extending the depth.

Crews have successfully connected these firing operations with a combination of dozer and hand lines connecting to Mosquito Creek and the western edge of the fire. Mop-up operations were continued to address remaining hotspots along the fire’s perimeter. Control lines in the north and west continued to be monitored, and hotspots eliminated overnight.

With rising temperatures and lower relative humidity expected during the next few days, these proactive operations have positioned crews ahead of the weather change. Structure defense teams remain active to identify potential risks and implement mitigation strategies as part of the larger contingency plan.

Today, with the drier weather and hotter temperatures, fire activity is expected to increase, allowing for the ignition of some areas within the fire perimeter that still have unburned fuel. Crews will be monitoring the west side and patrolling for any hot spots. On the east side, crews will focus on suppressing any remaining hot spots as well as continued tactical firing operations.

WEATHER:
High pressure will peak today with heat approaching 100 and relative humidity near 20 percent in clear valley. Smoke, especially on the east side will generally moderate conditions, but still expect to be hotter and drier than yesterday.
Increased lift will help disperse smoke but weak and battling winds switching from south to north will not be favorable to efficient smoke transport. Compressing inversion will bring poorer overnight recoveries to mid-elevations. Despite high pressure at the surface, instability and moisture aloft will bring a slight chance of dry thunderstorms by early Wednesday morning.

July 22, 2024 at 2:25 PM

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. 

WEATHER: 

A strong short-lived heat wave will begin to quickly build today with highs cresting into the 90s and RH dropping back below 30 percent. The high pressure will bring a return to very poor RH recoveries at height elevations tonight alongside enhanced drainage winds. Heat will peak on Tuesday with very dry conditions and areas approaching 100. 

July 21, 2024 at 7:41 AM

Last night activity continued in a southwest area of the fire and crews are currently working on holding lines in the area.

Yesterday afternoon, the fire showed an increase in activity along its south and southeast boundaries in the Mosquito Creek drainage driven by northwesterly winds. Air resources were able to utilize water to help slow the fire growth. Crews continue to construct and improve holding and control lines in this area; however, ground based heavy equipment use was limited due to ongoing fire activity.

Today on the south side of the fire, crews will be building a dozer line towards Mosquito Creek and go direct where possible. On the east side crews will continue doing road improvement on 6N06 road to Ammon Ridge to utilize as a holding line.

The fire continues to be influenced by terrain and increasing winds in the southern area of the fire. On the west the fire will continue to creep and in the interior islands and heavy accumulation of fuels will retain heat and smolder.

Weather Concerns: An upper-level shortwave approaching the area has brought both increased humidity but also stronger northwest winds. Sustained winds reached around 15 mph this afternoon with minimum RH still as low as 30 percent. This disturbance will also bring a very slight chance (10 percent) of isolated dry thunderstorms overnight. Over the next 36 hours, the coastal marine layer is expected to lift over much of the fire. Although gusty northwest winds will persist, RH will greatly increase with recoveries even at ridgetops up to 70 percent and minimum RH around 50 percent. High pressure alongside hot and dry conditions will return by next Tuesday.

Projected Incident Activity: Though dead fuels remain at or below critical dryness, increased RH will lead to a decrease in fire behavior and reduce the resistance to control. The potential for increases in fire behavior with slope and wind alignments will be reduced but not eliminated as wind/slope alignments can still overcome the elevated RH, particularly with highly available dead fuels. The reduction in fire behavior may provide opportunities to increase direct suppression action. However, the elevated RH values may pose a challenge for any ignition operations as the fine fuels and forest litter used to generate initial heat when conducting ignitions will respond the fastest of the fuels in the fire environment.

Slight chance of thunderstorms also brings a chance for gusty outflow winds. If such winds were to impact the fire area they would result in rapid increases in flame length and ROS as well as potential rapid changes in the direction of spread. DIV A will continue to have somewhat adverse winds on the south end of the fire. The increase in RH should overcome these winds and moderate fire behavior for the next 12-24 hours, possibly a little bit longer overnight on 07/21. Small uphill pulses of fire are still possible but will be easier to control than in recent days.

July 20, 2024 at 4:44 PM

The fire has been mapped by Intel 12 at 5,530 acres.

July 20, 2024 at 10:48 AM

Last night activity continued in a southwest area of the fire and crews are currently working on holding lines in the area.

Yesterday afternoon, the fire showed an increase in activity along its south and southeast boundaries in the Mosquito Creek drainage driven by northwesterly winds. Air resources were able to utilize water to help slow the fire growth. Crews continue to construct and improve holding and control lines in this area; however, ground based heavy equipment use was limited due to ongoing fire activity.

Today on the south side of the fire, crews will be building a dozer line towards Mosquito Creek and go direct where possible. On the east side crews will continue doing road improvement on 6N06 road to Ammon Ridge to utilize as a holding line.

The fire continues to be influenced by terrain and increasing winds in the southern area of the fire. On the west the fire will continue to creep and in the interior islands and heavy accumulation of fuels will retain heat and smolder.

WEATHER:

Today the area will come under the influence of an approaching upper-level disturbance. This will help slightly increase relative humidity. Winds will remain mostly modest out of the northwest with the strongest winds at low elevations in the late evening. Slightly increased mixing heights will aid in some smoke mixing, though high stability will inhibit any significant smoke transport out of sheltered areas. The disturbance moving overhead tonight will bring simultaneous much strong marine influence, especially to low elevations, but also a small (10%) chance of dry thunderstorms.

July 19, 2024 at 9:30 AM

Active fire behavior reported overnight with torching and long-range spotting. Structures are threatened with Evacuation Orders and Warnings in place. The community of Salyer, Powerlines, communication infrastructure, Private timberlands and critical wildlife habitat are threatened. Road and area closures in effect.The incident is being managed under unified command with North Coast Type 3 Team and Humboldt-Del Norte Unit, CAL FIRE IMT1 Team 2 (Bohall). CICIMT Team 4 (Opliger) assigned, tentative transition to command 7/19 @ 1800.

Yesterday, spot fires along Friday Ridge were successfully contained. Firing operations were completed along Route 1, reinforcing that road as a potential containment line. Crews constructed direct and indirect dozer line along the south and southwest corner of the fire and continued to scout along the west side of the fire for opportunities to go direct.

Today firefighters will continue with firing operations along Route 1 to reinforce that potential containment line. Crews will mop-up the spot fires to the north to ensure they stay within the footprint of their fire perimeters. Crews will also continue scouting to the north and east of the fire for opportunities to go direct or possibly indirect depending on potential risk to firefighter safety. As a precaution, a structure protection group will be assessing structure protection needs within the communities of Friday Ridge, Willow Creek and South Fork Road. Air resources continue to perform water and retardant drops along the perimeter of the fire. Despite commercial airline disruptions, incident air operations will not be impacted.

Fire weather includes low humidity recovery along the ridgetops, continued dry conditions, with temperatures in the 80’s along the ridgetops. Winds will be north and northwesterly with gusts up to 10- 15 mph during the day.

Fire behavior is expected to be relatively moderate, similar to yesterday with flanking and backing activity to the north. The north side of the fire is burning within the footprint of Ammons fire where the fuels are sparse which results in minimal fire behavior in that area. There is potential for growth to the south of the fire due to the north/northwesterly winds.

Evacuation Information:

Evacuation order and warnings remain in effect. For current updates on evacuations, visit https://www.facebook.com/HumboldtSheriff and https://humboldtgov.org/2383/Current-Emergencies. Conditions are subject to change at any time, visit https://protect.genasys.com/search for a full zone description.

Sign up for Humboldt Alert emergency notifications at https://humboldtgov.org/2014/Emergency- Notifications

July 18, 2024 at 10:24 AM

Hill Fire Community Meeting, today, July 18, 2024, 7 p.m. at the Veterans Hall, Willow Creek, CA.

Current Situation:

Yesterday, fire activity moderated compared to previous days. Fire managers are using a full suppression strategy with crews going direct where possible while also utilizing indirect tactics in areas that pose a potential risk to firefighter safety. A few spot fires were identified to the north along Friday Ridge and resources on scene began constructing direct and indirect containment lines. Crews constructed dozer lines to the west and north of the fire. Aircraft continued to perform retardant drops along the perimeter of the fire.

Today, the primary focus will be to the north of the fire where crews will scout for possible opportunities to construct direct dozer line south of Route 1. Firefighters will also conduct firing operations along Route 1 to strengthen the potential containment line along Friday Ridge. Aircraft will continue to perform retardant drops to slow the spread of the fire.

Federal and state air resources on scene include helicopters, air tankers, and air attack. Fire behavior is expected to be moderate today with continued dry conditions. The North

Coast Interagency Type 3 Incident Management Team and CAL FIRE Incident Management Team 2 are now fully integrated and working in unified command.

Fire camp will be at the Veterans Park in Willow Creek, CA., beginning today, July 18, 2024.

Evacuation Information:

Evacuation order and warnings remain in effect. For current updates on evacuations, visit https://www.facebook.com/HumboldtSheriff and https://humboldtgov.org/2383/Current- Emergencies. Conditions are subject to change at any time, visit https://protect.genasys.com/search for a full zone description.

Sign up for Humboldt Alert emergency notifications at https://humboldtgov.org/2014/Emergency-Notifications

Closures:

Forest Closure Order currently in effect for the area impacted by the Hill Fire. It is temporarily prohibited to be on any national forest system land, trail, or road within the closure area. To view the closure order and map of closure area visit the following link www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/fseprd1191963.pdf

Road closures are currently in place on Friday Ridge Rd. at Forest Service Route 6N06, Friday Ridge Rd. at Forest Route 5N01 and Friday Fridge Rd. at Forest Route 5N04.

July 18, 2024 at 7:28 AM

The Hill Fire is now being managed in Unified Command between the U.S. Forest Service and CAL FIRE. In addition, a local Type 3 Incident Management Team arrived today to assist with managing the fire and a Complex Incident Management Team and a CAL FIRE Incident Management Team has been ordered.

The fire is burning in steep and remote terrain making access challenging for ground resources within the Buck Creek and Mosquito Creek Drainages. Federal and state air resources including air tankers, helicopters, and air attack are on scene and will continue to perform retardant drops to try and slow the spread today. The fire is growing to the north in heavy timber.

Due to dry and hot weather conditions today fire activity is expected to be high with the potential for a rapid rate of spread and extreme fire behavior.

Crews will begin to provide structure protection along Route 1 and within the Friday Ridge communities. At this time there are multiple structures threatened. Firefighters are working to construct direct and indirect line to control fire spread to the north and the west. Additional ground resources continue to be ordered and arrive on scene.

Evacuation Order Issued for Zone HUM-E077A: Due to the Hill Fire, the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office has issued an immediate evacuation order for zone HUM-E077-A North of White Oak Creek/Grouse Creek, South of Friday Ridge Road, Forest Route 6N08A, East of Titlow Hill Rd, Twin Lakes Creek, West of Mosquito Creek/Madden Creek. Those in this zone should leave now for their safety.
Evacuation Warning Issued for Zone HUM-E077-B: Due to the Hill Fire, the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office has issued an evacuation warning for zone HUM-E077-B North of PG&E Rod, Grouse Creek, South of Madden Creek, Forest Route 6N06, East of Mosquito Creek/Madden Creek, West of Trinity County Line. Prepare for potential evacuations, including personal supplies and overnight accommodations. Those in this zone should prepare to leave at a moment’s notice. More information will follow if an evacuation order is issued.

July 17, 2024 at 7:58 PM

Active fire behavior observed today, with long-range spotting and short crown runs. Structures are threatened with evacuations in progress. Evacuation Orders and Warnings are in place. Powerlines, communication infrastructure, Private timberlands and critical wildlife habitat is threatened. Road and area closures in effect.The incident is being managed under unified command with North Coast Type 3 Team and Humboldt-Del Norte Unit CAL FIRE. CAL FIRE IMT1 Team 2 (Mackwood) in-briefing today at 2000. CICIMT Team 4 (Goss) is mobilizing with a tentative in-briefing at 1000 on 7/19/2024.

July 17, 2024 at 10:44 AM

The Hill Fire is now being managed in Unified Command between the U.S. Forest Service and CAL FIRE. In addition, a local Type 3 Incident Management Team arrived today to assist with managing the fire and a Complex Incident Management Team and a CAL FIRE Incident Management Team has been ordered.

The fire is burning in steep and remote terrain making access challenging for ground resources within the Buck Creek and Mosquito Creek Drainages. Federal and state air resources including air tankers, helicopters, and air attack are on scene and will continue to perform retardant drops to try and slow the spread today. The fire is growing to the north in heavy timber.

Due to dry and hot weather conditions today fire activity is expected to be high with the potential for a rapid rate of spread and extreme fire behavior.

Crews will begin to provide structure protection along Route 1 and within the Friday Ridge communities. At this time there are multiple structures threatened. Firefighters are working

to construct direct and indirect line to control fire spread to the north and the west. Additional ground resources continue to be ordered and arrive on scene.

Evacuation Information:

Evacuation order and warning remain in effect. For current updates on evacuations, visit https://www.facebook.com/HumboldtSheriff and https://humboldtgov.org/2383/Current- Emergencies. Conditions are subject to change at any time, visit https://protect.genasys.com/search for a full zone description.

Sign up for Humboldt Alert emergency notifications at https://humboldtgov.org/2014/Emergency-Notifications

Evacuation Order Issued for Zone HUM-E077A: Due to the Hill Fire, the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office has issued an immediate evacuation order for zone HUM-E077-A North of White Oak Creek/Grouse Creek, South of Friday Ridge Road, Forest Route 6N08A, East of Titlow Hill Rd, Twin Lakes Creek, West of Mosquito Creek/Madden Creek. Those in this zone should leave now for their safety.

Evacuation Warning Issued for Zone HUM-E077-B: Due to the Hill Fire, the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office has issued an evacuation warning for zone HUM-E077-B North of PG&E Rod, Grouse Creek, South of Madden Creek, Forest Route 6N06, East of Mosquito Creek/Madden Creek, West of Trinity County Line. Prepare for potential evacuations, including personal supplies and overnight accommodations. Those in this zone should prepare to leave at a moment’s notice. More information will follow if an evacuation order is issued.

Closures:

Road closure is in place at Friday Ridge Road at Forest Service Route 6N06.

Fire Restrictions:

Forest fire restrictions currently in effect across the Six Rivers National Forest. Campfires and stove fires are restricted to those developed areas listed in the forest order located at https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/fseprd1188610.pdf.

Smoking, welding, and operating an internal combustion engine also have restrictions in place.

Additional Fire Information:

The Hennessey 2, Ridge 2, and Waterman Fires are all staying within their fire perimeters of less than a quarter acre each. This will be the last update for the Hennessey 2, Ridge 2, and Waterman Fires unless significant activity resumes.

July 17, 2024 at 7:06 AM

Extreme fire behavior with long-range spotting and short crown runs observed. Structures are threatened with evacuations in progress. Evacuation Orders and Warnings are in place. Powerlines, communication infrastructure, Private timberlands and critical wildlife habitat is threatened. Road and area closures in effect. Transitioning to unified command with CAL FIRE at 0700 this morning. CICIMT Team 4 is mobilizing with a tentative in-briefing at 1000 on 7/19/2024.

Crews began to provide structure protection along Route 1 and within the Friday Ridge communities. At this time there are multiple structures threatened. Firefighters are working to construct direct and indirect line to control fire spread to the north and the west. Additional ground resources continue to be ordered and arrive on scene.

July 16, 2024 at 6:14 PM

The Hill Fire is approximately 2,000 acres and is growing at a rapid rate with extreme fire behavior. The fire continues to burn in steep and remote terrain making access challenging for ground resources. Air resources including air tankers, helicopters, and air attack are on scene and performing retardant drops to try and slow the spread. The fire is growing to the north in heavy timber as fire conditions continue to be hot and dry.

Evacuation Order issued for Zone HUM-E077A and Evacuation Warning issued for Zone HUM-E077-B . The Six Rivers National Forest will continue to work with our partners at the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office to determine the need for additional evacuation orders and warnings as conditions warrant.

Evacuation Information

Evacuation Order Issued for Zone HUM-E077A: Due to the Hill Fire, the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office has issued an immediate evacuation order for zone HUM-E077-A North of White Oak Creek/Grouse Creek, South of Friday Ridge Road, Forest Route 6N08A, East of Titlow Hill Rd, Twin Lakes Creek, West of Mosquito Creek/Madden Creek. Those in this zone should leave now for their safety.

Evacuation Warning Issued for Zone HUM-E077-B: Due to the Hill Fire, the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office has issued an evacuation warning for zone HUM-E077-B North of PG&E Rod, Grouse Creek, South of Madden Creek, Forest Route 6N06, East of Mosquito Creek/Madden Creek, West of Trinity County Line. Prepare for potential evacuations, including personal supplies and overnight accommodations. Those in this zone should prepare to leave at a moment’s notice. More information will follow if an evacuation order is issued.

Conditions are subject to change at anytime. Please visit protect.genasys.com for a full zone description. For more information regarding evacuations please call the Humboldt County Sheriffs Office at 707-268-2500 or go to humboldtsheriff.org/emergency.

Sign up for Humboldt Alert emergency notifications at humboldtgov.org/alert.

For more information on evacuation orders and warnings, call 707-268-2500.

Additional Fire Information

The Hennessey 2, Ridge 2, and Waterman Fires are all staying within their fire perimeters of less than a quarter acre each.