[UPDATE 11:03 p.m.: Scanner Says Fire at Zenia Lake Mountain Rd.] Fire Forcing Evacuations in Three Forks, South of Ruth Lake

The tiny community of Three Forks in southwestern Trinity County near Ruth Lake is being evacuated. Deputies from the Trinity County Sheriff’s Office and firefighters from multiple departments are being sent to the area for structure protection and to help residents evacuate safely.

We spoke to the Trinity County Office of Emergency Services this morning and the Hopkins Fire which is the north part of the August Complex “is moving westerly” and is threatening the community.

Community members should evacuate through Upper Mad River Road to Ruth and Mad River, OES told us.

According to second hand information from a resident in the area, the fire is coming over Swim Ridge over the Yolla Bolly Mountains.

The US Forest Service is asking Southern Trinity Fire and Zenia Fire and others to meet at 501 and AA bridge to being evacuations and structure protection, according to the scanner.

The Trinity County Office of Emergency Services told us that they had only been notified a few minutes before 9 a.m. of the situation and have not yet set up a Evacuation Center. We will update you when we get information on where that is.

UPDATE 9:27 a.m.: Trinity County Sheriff Tim Saxon tells us, “Deputies are enroute to the area. We issued a Code Red notification for a Mandatory Evacuation of a ten mile radius of Three Forks.”

UPDATE 9:30 a.m.: Emergency personnel on the scanner report that “they are evacuating Horse Ridge Lookout east of Ruth.”

UPDATE 10:06 a.m.: Emergency personnel on the scanner are requesting reverse 911 calls. Here’s the clip of man naming the parameters.

UPDATE 2:21 p.m.: Press release from the Trinity County Sheriff’s Office at 12:40 p.m.:

The Hopkins Fire which is the northwest part of the August Complex Fire is moving in a westerly direction. The community of Three Forks, in Ruth, CA, is under mandatory evacuations, including Horse Ridge Road to Travis Ranch Road.

Multiple Trinity County agencies to include Sheriff’s Deputies, Marshals, and USFS Law Enforcement Officers are responding to the area to assist residents with evacuations. A temporary evacuation point has been established at Mad River High School located at 600 Van Duzen Road.

The Trinity County Office of Emergency Services is advising people to use Upper Mad River Road to Ruth and Mad River for evacuation.

For any questions please contact the T. C. Office of Emergency Services Manager, Ed Prestley at (530)623-1116.

UPDATE 3:12 p.m.: Southern Trinity Area Rescue posted this,

Screenshot of the evacuation information.

UPDATE 6:15 p.m.: Press release from the Trinity County Sheriff’s Office:

UPDATE for the Hopkins Fire (August Complex)

Per the Trinity County Sheriff’s Office, the following communities are under EVACUATION ORDER due to the Hopkins Fire: Zenia, Kettenpom, Hettenshaw Valley, and all areas south of Ruth. Due to high wind and erratic fire activity you are highly encouraged to evacuate.

The following areas are under EVACUATION WARNING: Ruth, Ruth Lake, Mad River, Forest Glen, and Post Mountain. Those who require additional time to evacuate, and those with pets and livestock leave now.

The temporary evacuation point remains at Southern Trinity High School located at 600 Van Duzen Road to direct evacuees.

For any questions please contact the T. C. Office of Emergency Services Manager, Ed Prestley at (530)623-1116.

California Standard Statewide Evacuation Terminology

Evacuation Order: Immediate threat to life. This is a lawful order to leave now. The area is lawfully closed to public access.

Evacuation Warning: Potential threat to life and/or property. Those who require additional time to evacuate, and those with pets and livestock should leave now.

Shelter in Place: Go indoors. Shut and lock doors and windows. Prepare to self-sustain until further notice and/or contacted by emergency personnel for additional direction.

UPDATE 11:03 p.m.: According to scratch transmission on the scanner, the fire has reached Zenia Lake Mountain Road and is burning on both sides of road between mile post markers 8 & 9. (Thinking of you all out there.)