Good News: Hopkins Fire–Still Holding East of the Main Eel River, Lots of New Resources on the Ground, and Rain Predicted Next Week

“This place looks a world different than it did yesterday,” said Cal Fire’s Jeremy Ward, Fire Captain Specialist, who is working out of Alderpoint, this morning.

The reasons to be optimistic are threefold–firefighters are still successfully holding Hopkins Fire east of the Main Stem of the Eel River, new resources are pouring into the area, and some rain is predicted next week.

Ward told us that though there was a little “slopover” of the fire on the Zenia Lake Mountain Road near the town of Kettenpom, firefighters are getting a handle on it. He added that although there were news reports elsewhere that the fire had crossed the Main Stem of the Eel River that wasn’t true. Firefighters were keeping flames to the east of there and the fire had not yet crossed into Humboldt County.

The sound of heavy equipment being moved provided background music to the conversation we had with Ward who told us, “Cal Fire Incident Management Team is bringing in a whole team with lots of resources to fight the fire.” He pointed to the sound of heavy equipment as indicative of resources now available.

And, to add to Ward’s good news, according to the National Weather Service, “There is a chance of measurable rain as early as Monday, especially for Del Norte County. Those probabilities increase everywhere on Tuesday. These charts, based on 3 ensemble forecast systems, indicate low chances for rain lingering toward the latter portion of next week as well.”

Still, the fire is continuing to threaten structures and evacuations are in place. The Hopkins and the Elkhorn Fires (as well as others) have burned together and burned into the August Complex. The fire in Trinity County and threatening to mow through Southern Humboldt is now considered part of the largest fire in California history–the August Complex.

That Complex which is burning in multiple counties is now 746,607 Acres and 25% contained. For perspective, the previous largest fire in California History was the 2018 Mendocino Complex which was 410,203 acres.

We will update here throughout the day as needed.

The Plan:

Firefighters will be trying to push the fire out of the Ruth Valley, protect structures in Kettenpom, and continue keeping the flames east of the Main Stem of the Eel River.

Images from the Fire:

Power came back on this morning. Fire's still out there somewhere – can't tell bc of the falling ash and smoke.

More later when crews update us.#ThankYouFirefighters pic.twitter.com/nhR1r33U2Z

— TwitmoBug (@BugTwitmo) September 11, 2020

The Weather:  

A heavy blanket of smoke is covering the area. Temperature highs will be in the mid-70’s. A slight wind will pick up in the afternoon. The National Weather Service is predicting some rain next week.

The Roads:

Here is the latest information: Information on Highways Closed Due to Fires

The Maps:

• Public Information Map-Zoom or click on the map for more detail.
• Operations Map –to see details either zoom or click on the map and download a pdf.
• KMZ Map–Zoom for detail or for 3D imagery, click on the map and download a file that connects with your Google Earth program.
• Humboldt County’s Interactive map

Evacuation Area information:

• Trinity County: The following areas: Zenia, Kettenpom, Hettenshaw Valley, and all areas south of Ruth.
• Mendocino County: Evacuation Updates for Covelo Area [MAP]
• Humboldt County: Evacuation Warning Area Expanded for SoHum  [MAP]

USEFUL Information:

• Evacuation to here for animals Humboldt: “If you have a need to evacuate animals please contact the Humboldt County Fairgrounds to arrange for drop off. HCF is also arranging for trailers if needed to transport animals. Please call 707-496-8841.”
• Evacuations for animals Mendocino:
  • The Laytonville rodeo grounds are open for livestock. They are located at Harwood Road Laytonville, call ahead at 707-984-8100
  • Covelo Rodeo Grounds for small/large animals/livestock (77286 Covelo Road)
• Evacuation place for Trinity residents: The temporary evacuation point remains at Southern Trinity High School located at 600 Van Duzen Road.
• Evacuation place for Humboldt residents:
  • The Mateel Community Center located at 59 Rusk Lane will be open as an evacuation shelter this Wednesday afternoon and as needed. “Small pets are welcome with leashes outside the hall, no pets are allowed inside the hall due to potential allergy reactions for some individuals.  For more information about the ongoing fire evacuation center located at the Mateel visit mateel.org.
  • As of noon Wednesday, the Humboldt County Fairgrounds has been designated as an Office of Emergency Services County-wide Evacuation Center for both human and livestock fire evacuees. Because of COVID, human evacuees need to have trailers and RV’s and/or tent campers. See more here.
  • Redwood Acres  is preparing to take in fire evacuees, both livestock and those who have an RV or are willing to camp. There is a chance that the Red Cross may want to set up a station.
  • Fire Evacuation Information Line at 707-268-2500 for questions regarding current county evacuations and resources.
• Evacuation place for Mendocino Residents-
  • Covelo High School for people (76280 High School Street)
  • The Laytonville rodeo grounds are open for livestock. They are located at Harwood Road Laytonville, call ahead at 707-984-8100 Harwood Hall is also open for residents feeling the Hopkins fire. They are located 44400 Willis Ave, Laytonville
• You can listen to Trinity County Scanner by clicking here Trinity County Public Safety
• You can listen to Southern Humboldt County Scanner by clicking here Humboldt County Law, Fire and EMS – Eureka and South
• You can listen to Mendocino County Scanner by clicking here Mendocino County Sheriff, Fire, EMS, Cal Fire and CHP
• Good fire and smoke info here: Click here. (Please remember the info here isn’t always up to date. If you are given an evacuation order, leave–no matter what this says.)
• Good Social Media Site–FIRE EVACUEE INFO – Humboldt/Northern Mendo/Trinity Fires: Click here
• Water Station Open for Fire Evacuees at Rio Dell City Hall
• The Humboldt Transit Authority is currently offering regular services to Southern Humboldt County.
• Wildfire Evacuation Checklist
  • 15 minute packlist
  • 30 minute packlist
• Sixty and 120 minute packlist
• Number to call for information on evacuation in Humboldt County=707-268-2500

How You Can Help:

• GoFundMe for Trinity County’s Southern Trinity VFD. Click here.

Earlier Chapters:

• Evacuation Warnings Sent to Southeastern Humboldt–Island Mountain, Palo Verde, Alderpoint, and Harris–as August Complex Spreads West
• Fire Forcing Evacuations in Three Forks, South of Ruth Lake
• Hopkins Fire in the August Complex Burning in Trinity County and Moving Towards Humboldt
• Elkhorn Fire (New Name for Fire Causing Evacuations in Trinity, Humboldt, and Mendocino) Slowed With Cooler Weather
• Wind Shift Helps Keep Fire East of the Main Stem of the Eel River This Afternoon But Drives ‘Erratic Fires’ in Zenia/ Kettenpom area