News

UPDATE:

The Humboldt County Office of Emergency Services is urging residents in the  PREVIOUS:

Fire officials are warning that conditions are apt for another “dynamic day” on the North Zone of the August Complex, which forced the evacuation of Ruth Lake and other areas and put swaths of Southern Humboldt County on alert.

Incident commander Norm McDonald said there is fire in and around Ruth Lake and structures were impacted but the number was unknown. The same applies to the area of Forest Glen He emphasize that it was “very important” for anyone in an evacuation zone to leave.

“It’s for your safety and for firefighters’ safe,” McDonald said, noting that those who remain behind can hinder air suppression and other means of combatting the blaze.


Last night, the Office of Emergency Services put residents in Southern Humboldt on evacuation warnings, noting around 10 p.m. that those could very well translate into evacuation orders today.

Those under warnings are:

For questions related to Humboldt County Evacuation Warnings call 707-268-2500.

Information from OES:

(Redding, CA) – Wind gusts continue to push the fire west, prompting evacuation orders to the Trinity County line and evacuation warnings in Humboldt County.

High winds are forecast throughout the day today, with gusts exceeding 30 miles per hour and potentially accelerating down the west slope of South Fork Mountain, threatening communities to the west and north. The Ruth Valley and Mad River Valley are aligned to funnel the forecast winds and encourage fire spread in these areas. Residents are urged to comply with evacuation orders and to stay out of the area. Many roads are impassable due to fire and fallen trees.

The fire remains extremely active; winds are carrying embers well beyond containment lines, and there is high potential for the fire to develop an active plume. As fire activity increases with the winds and the heat of the day, large smoke columns are expected to form. Like thunderheads, columns build and then collapse. Collapsing columns are extremely dangerous, violently forcing winds outward, carrying fire and live embers far and wide.

Extreme conditions are forecast into the evening; the Red Flag Warning is expected to end by 9pm. Live embers were documented landing 8 miles ahead of the active fire front on Sunday. Spot fires ignited beyond control lines east of Forest Glen, north of State Route 36, and west of South Fork Mountain. The fires advanced to Ruth Lake and to the west side of the lake by afternoon. Crews are responding to the spot fires as conditions permit, working through the night.

Firefighters continue to focus on firefighter and public safety, as well as point protection for structures. New closures include all roads in Van Duzen, Mad River, Ruth, and Hettenshaw areas. Ruth Zenia Road is closed east of the US Forest Service Zenia Guard Station. The closure for State Route 36 now extends from the Humboldt County line on the west to the junction with Bowman Road on the east.

New evacuation orders include Mad River, Lower Mad River Road, Zenia, and Kettenpom. Smoke will likely move back into the region in the next day or two, calming fire behavior. Hot, dry weather will persist with prime conditions for continued fire growth. The winds are presently aiding containment work on the east flank. Crews continue to hold and improve the fireline, preparing for the return of seasonal winds from the southwest.