[UPDATE 5:40 p.m.: Hettenshaw Residents Allowed to Return Home] More Evacuations to the North as the August Complex Grew Over 60 Square Miles Yesterday

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POSTED 9:35 a.m.

Fire above Camp Gap Road Near Ruth Sept 16

Fire as seen from a residence on Camp Gap Road near Ruth last night. [Photo from a local resident]

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FRIDAY, September 18th’s updates: Click here:

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The largest fire in California history, the August Complex, consumed over 40,000 acres yesterday (over 60 square miles) and is now over 839,000 acres and only 30% contained.

Last night, the fire shot out multiple spot fires to the north of Rattlesnake Ridge and forced new evacuations. “It is a priority of the North Zone to stop the progress north towards Forest Glen and Trinity Pines and Post Mt,” said Karena Davis, spokesperson for team fighting the fire in that area.

Near Ruth the fire moved down along Horse Ridge towards residences in the area but with the moisture in the air is expected to be slow and easy and allow the firefighters to protect the homes in the area. They are watching for the fire to try and flank their lines.

Near the Kettenpom and Hettenshaw Valley area, the moist air is improving conditions. Firefighters are holding the line, but they don’t have the resources to burn the fuels ahead of the fire.

Hettenshaw and western Ruth area, the line is holding and firefighters were able to do some burnout operations to help. And moisture is expected to continue to help.

And, some especially good news, the first solid containment lines on the western edge of the fire were put in east of Covelo. [Note: And a little bit on the southwestern area of Trinity County.]

UPDATE 11:22 a.m.: A good overall view of the August Fire and then it zooms in on the North Zone.

August Complex_NorthZone_Morning_Update_09_17_2020_Final

UPDATE 3:18 p.m.: Humboldt County OES posted, “As of Thursday, Sept. 17, 2020, fire crews have successfully created containment lines for the northwest section of the #AugustComplexWestZone Fire near Humboldt County, preventing the fire from spreading into the county at this time. According to CAL FIRE Mendocino Unit, the August Complex West Zone is currently 78,706 acres and 5 percent contained.”

UPDATE 5:40 p.m.: Residents of the Hettenshaw Valley Can Return Home; The TCSO Has downgraded the Area to an Evacuation Warning Only

The Plan:

The North side plan from the U.S. Forest Service – Shasta-Trinity National Forest: (Less than four minutes long and well worth watching.)

UPDATE 10:50 a.m.: Cal Fire released their morning update here: They noted that they have small containment lines on the very west nose of the fire which is burning in southwestern Trinity County and close to Humboldt County.

The Weather:  

Dampness and cooler weather will help firefighters for today and especially tomorrow on Friday where there is a slight chance of showers over the fires.

Today the wind is predicted to shift and instead of coming from the south will come from the west. This will help stop the fire from advancing towards Humboldt, further into Mendocino, and even help slow the northward advance of the fire near Forest Glen.

The Smoke:

Most of the area over the fire will continue to see a reduction in smoke.

The Images:

The Roads:

Here is the latest information: Information on Highways Closed Due to Fires (This includes maps of Trinity County roads now closed.)

The Maps:

  • Public Information Map –to see details zoom in.PIO Map August Complex North Zone 9.17
  • Operations Map ––to see details either zoom or click on the map and download a pdf.  For the map showing operations for the north zone click below on the map. Op map
  • Humboldt County’s Interactive map
  • Mendocino County’s Interactive map

Evacuation Area information:

USEFUL Information:

  • Evacuation 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 (22830 S. Airport Road in Covelo)
  • Evacuation place for Trinity residents:
    • Humboldt Fairgrounds in Ferndale.
  • Evacuation place for Humboldt residents:
      • The Mateel Community Center located at 59 Rusk Lane is an evacuation shelter. “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.
      • The Northern California Regional Evacuation Shelter at the Humboldt County Fairgrounds in Ferndale is discontinuing overnight sheltering operations due to the absence of demand for on-site overnight sheltering of evacuees…The Humboldt County Fairgrounds will return to functioning as a Temporary Evacuation Point for persons evacuated from Humboldt and Trinity counties due to wildfire activity. See more by clicking here.
    • Redwood Acres is preparing to take in fire evacuees, both livestock and those who have an RV or are willing to camp.
    • 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
    • Information Boards are updated daily at the following locations:
      Platina Store – 4554 State Route 36W, Platina, CA
      Harrison Gulch Guard Station – 2555 State Route 36W, Platina, CA
      Wildwood Inn and RV Park – 2721 Wildwood Rd, Wildwood, CA
      South Fork Mountain Vista – Horse Ridge Lookout Rd & State Route 36W, Mad River, CA
      The Watering Hole (Mad River Burger Bar) – 2515 State Route 36W, Mad River, CA
      Mad River Ranger Station – 741 State Route 36W, Mad River, CA
      Southern Trinity High School – 600 Van Duzen Rd, Mad River, CA
      Dinsmore Store – 43819 State Route 36W, Bridgeville, CA
      Hayfork Ranger Station – 111 Trinity Street, Hayfork, CA
      Hayfork Post Office – 7180 State Route 3, Hayfork, CA
      U.S. Forest Service – Six Rivers National Forest
      U.S. Forest Service – Mendocino National Forest
  • 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
  • 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.
  • If you would like to donate, the addresses for Southern Humboldt Fire Departments can be accessed by clicking here.
  • To volunteer or donate to assist regional wildfire evacuees, please contact:

Earlier Chapters:

 

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ED Denson
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ED Denson
3 years ago

Interesting briefing. Sorry to say I didn’t hear anything about the line from Zenia to the Eel river – which would be the line protecting Alderpoint. I’m going to think that means that it’s a good line and they’re still working on making it a containment line, and keep my fingers crossed. No news is good news, right?

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Guest
Rest of the story
3 years ago

Thanks Kym for all you do keeping ppl informed, allowing exchange of valid points of view keeping democracy alive. Thank you also for this opportunity to express gratitude for amazing firefighters living in our midst. Truly heroic valor lies within the mortal soul willing to meet the roaring face of the fire breathing dragon 200 feet tall.

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