Evacuation Orders Downgraded for Hopkins Fire, Some Progress Made, and Firefighters Say, ‘We Feel Loved, But, Please, No More Food’

Evacuation map around the Hopkins Fire as of the evening of 9/11

Evacuation map around the Hopkins Fire as of the evening of 9/11. [See the whole map here]

Today, firefighters “made some progress” on the Hopkins Fire burning in Trinity County and forcing evacuations in Humboldt County, said Cal Fire’s Jeremy Ward, Fire Captain Specialist, who is working out of Alderpoint, around 9 p.m. Friday evening. “We kept the fire below Peak Road and east of the Main Stem of the Eel River,” he explained. That was their mission objective.

According to a press release by the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office,

Due to positive developments in fire behavior and the hard work of firefighters from Humboldt County and beyond, the Evacuation Order for the following areas has been downgraded to an evacuation warning: communities south of Highway 36 to Casterlin Road, not including all properties on Casterlin Road. Residents who live in this area may begin to return home via Highway 36 to Alderpoint Road only, but should remain ready to evacuate again at a moment’s notice.

All properties on Casterlin Road and south to the county line remain under an evacuation order. (See below for entire press release. See here for map of evacuation areas.)

In addition, Ward reiterated his statement this morning that more resources are coming to the area to fight the fire. “Tomorrow, we’re putting up a camp at Eel River Conservation Camp,” he told us. “People will start to see lots more equipment and folks who are not local folks.”

Ward thanked the community for their generous donations of food. “We really appreciate that people are thinking of us,” he said. However, he explained that firefighters have been given too much. “Alderpoint Store loaded up the station up there,” he told us. “Kettenpom Store fed others…We’re loaded to the gills.”

He said they didn’t have any more places to refrigerate items. “It’s just going to go to waste,” he worried.

“The positive thoughts that go with the food are wonderful, heartwarming,” he explained and the firefighters are grateful. But, now that they have so many food donations and the supply lines are in place to bring more, he suggested that another way to show appreciation is to donate to the local volunteer fire departments or even join up. “They are struggling,” he said.

Press release from the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office:

Due to positive developments in fire behavior and the hard work of firefighters from Humboldt County and beyond, the Evacuation Order for the following areas has been downgraded to an evacuation warning: communities south of Highway 36 to Casterlin Road, not including all properties on Casterlin Road. Residents who live in this area may begin to return home via Highway 36 to Alderpoint Road only, but should remain ready to evacuate again at a moment’s notice.

All properties on Casterlin Road and south to the county line remain under an evacuation order.

Please visit humboldtgov.org/evacmap for the latest evacuation map.

CURRENT ROAD CLOSURES

  • Alderpoint Road at Fort Seward Road
  • Alderpoint Road at Dyerville Loop Road
  • Bell Springs Road

SIGN UP FOR EMERGENCY ALERTS

Humboldt County residents are encouraged to sign up for Humboldt Alert to receive local emergency notifications, including information regarding evacuations and emergency sheltering in the event of a wildfire or other emergency incident. Residents can sign up by going to: humboldtgov.org/alerts

FOR MORE INFORMATION

For more information regarding the Hopkins Fire, current impact and evacuation areas, please go to humboldtsheriff.org and visit @HumCoOES on Facebook and Twitter, or call 707-268-2500.

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40 Comments
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Rickman
Guest
Rickman
3 years ago

All the extra food could go to the displaced people in the shelters if firefighters don’t need it right now .

Guest
Guest
Guest
3 years ago
Reply to  Rickman

That’s a very good idea.

Alderpointer
Guest
Alderpointer
3 years ago
Reply to  Rickman

YES! Not to sound spoiled and bougie, but as an evacuee I was a bit underwhelmed by the lunch offered (half-burnt/half-raw krinkle-cut fries, as a vegetarian [don’t hate] I missed out on the hot dog) and thought, wow! I’m greatful. . . aaand I wonder how I could help these people help these people with more nourishing nourishment!?

TaRM
Guest
TaRM
3 years ago
Reply to  Rickman

If would be best to take the food to the emergency services stations where it is needed.firefighters are too busy to figure out what and where to ditribute the pies and casserole made by resident.

Dave Kahan
Guest
Dave Kahan
3 years ago
Reply to  Rickman

I was never able to eat all the food provided in my fire lunches that day. It’s all you can eat for breakfast and dinner in fire camp, and the bag lunches are about 3000 calories. I would save things like clif bars and jerky to eat in the winter, and everything else I would leave on top of the newspaper stand at Shop Smart. That bag never lasted long there. The regulars on the front porch learned pretty quickly to check there during local fires.

The only time the firefighters might need extra food is at the very beginning of a spate of fires, before the support networks get up and running.

In ’03 I went to San Diego to work on the Cedar fire (the largest in California history until the Mendocino Complex a couple of years ago) and in fire camp there was a pile of donations with things like deodorant. I thought, that’s the last thing we need; everybody just smells like smoke and that’s that. I did pick up a cot there, though, which beat sleeping on the ground.

Guest
Guest
Guest
3 years ago
Reply to  Dave Kahan

It’s great to get personal, incomes perspectives. Thank you

F Martin
Guest
F Martin
3 years ago

It would be great if there were a list of volunteer fire stations with addresses for donations. I contacted Arcata fire and hope to hear from them soon.

Ullr Rover
Guest
Peggy Canale
Guest
Peggy Canale
3 years ago
Reply to  Kym Kemp

Please add Southern Trinity Volunteer Fire Dept.
Thank you!

Firehawk
Guest
Firehawk
3 years ago
Reply to  Kym Kemp

I’d say Kettenpom Fire was the hardest hit and some of their volunteers lost their residences.

KZVFD Volunteer
Guest
KZVFD Volunteer
3 years ago
Reply to  Kym Kemp

Kettenpom Zenia Volunteer Fire Dept Po Box 100 Zenia 95595

EX PVVFD
Guest
EX PVVFD
3 years ago
Reply to  Kym Kemp

Double check PaloVerde address it is listed as same as Myers Flat Fire. That might not be correct.

gavin
Guest
3 years ago
Reply to  Kym Kemp

1 correction please, Palo Verde V F D’s address is P O Box 1381, Redway, Ca 95560, Thank you

BOBCATz
Guest
BOBCATz
3 years ago
Reply to  Kym Kemp

Thank you Kym for all your hard work and giving credit!

Chuck U
Guest
Chuck U
3 years ago

I would add Van Duzen since they are right there at the doorstep and STAR (Southern Trinity Area Rescue) are covering all the fire fighters backs!

Judy
Guest
Judy
3 years ago
Reply to  Chuck U

Give me the link & I’ll donate.

Amber
Guest
Amber
3 years ago
Reply to  Chuck U

Thank you Chuck for mention us out here .Yes STAR ambulance has been the medical coverage and transport for the Ruth area and on the front line with these firefighters since last Thursday. Also Southern trinity volunteers have been out there.And yes donations to either of these would be greatly appreciated since we both struggle to stay in operation for this community.

For sure
Guest
For sure
3 years ago

When they move to the Redway Camp, maybe non perishable foods can be accepted? Crackers, peanut butter, chips, cookies, candy bars, drinks?

Sonnyb
Guest
Sonnyb
3 years ago
Reply to  For sure

Glad to see you aren’t suggesting any health food.

I like stars
Guest
I like stars
3 years ago
Reply to  Sonnyb

Instead of bitching about the ideas of others, why don’t you do something positive?

You could suggest healthy alternatives. You could also donate healthy food.

Does it feel good to food shame a good person?

guest
Guest
guest
3 years ago
Reply to  Sonnyb

When you come off a fire your not looking for tofu or celery……

Dave Kahan
Guest
Dave Kahan
3 years ago
Reply to  guest

When I first started working on fires in the early ’80’s, there would be tables in fire camp with cases of candy, and garbage cans full of soda cans and ice. Sometimes we would designate one guy on the crew as the Candy Man. We’d distribute his gear among the rest of us, and fill his pack with candy to distribute to the rest of us throughout the shift.

Somewhere in the early 2000’s, the “powers that be” figured out that loading us up with junk food was not the best way to either get the fire out quickly or preserve our health. I met my ex on the Yellowstone fire in ’88. It’s a bit of a story, but the main theme is that what we had in common from the get go was trying to find healthier food in camp.

There’s a balance out there, somewhere…

For sure
Guest
For sure
3 years ago
Reply to  Dave Kahan

I was thinking of healthier versions of these… I shlda specified that. We evacuated Wednesday & all I wanted immediately after settling down was a peanut butter& jelly sandwich,( which I never eat in my normal life.)
I had just read that they are setting up at the Redway Camp & we can find out what can be accepted there. I remember a few years ago, Suzanne VanMeter was a food liaison to the fire crew there. She’s amazing!

I like stars
Guest
I like stars
3 years ago
Reply to  For sure

Blessings to you. Evacuated yourself and still looking to help others. Love and respect. ❤👍❤

Ice
Guest
Ice
3 years ago
Reply to  For sure

For sure: No, they cant. They have to be thrown away due to food handling laws. Please donate those to local volunteer departments instead of Calfire or USFS, who get all meals and snacks through fire caterers.

Gail
Guest
Gail
3 years ago

Thanks for the news, Kym. Always a joy that you are on the job!

Guest
Guest
Guest
3 years ago

“He said they didn’t have any more places to refrigerate items. “It’s just going to go to waste,” he worried.” Great choice of wording by the writer- tactful .

Kura mi
Guest
Kura mi
3 years ago

The government needs to send all the units from all the states around so they can help to stop those fires 🔥
We are only seeing “air quality unhealthy to very unhealthy “ do smth to prevent those problems this is every year ..

Laura hall
Guest
Laura hall
3 years ago

I’ve read and reread but still not clear if I can return to rancho via hwy36 does anyone know?

Laura hall
Guest
Laura hall
3 years ago
Reply to  Kym Kemp

Thank you kym more then once.