[UPDATE 8:18 p.m.; One Structure Lost] Vegetation Fire Threatening Structure Northwest of Pecwan

A vegetation fire is burning off the north end of Hwy 169 and threatening a structure near the community of Johnson northwest of Pecwan, according to Cal Fire Battalion Chief Paul Savona. The call came in about 4:07 p.m., he said.

“Aircraft are currently at the scene of a 1/4 to 1/2 acre fire,” he told us. “Air will work to slow the fire with retardant until ground resources which are on the way get there.”

Savona said that Salyer Fire, Hoopa Fire, Yurok Fire, and Willow Creek Fire have been dispatched to the scene.

UPDATE 5:09 p.m.: Savona now tells us that “multiple structures threatened.”

UPDATE 5:34 p.m.: Battalion Chief Paul Savona sent us this aerial view of smoke rising from the Church Fire as this is now called.

Smoke rising from the Church Fire.

UPDATE 5:54 p.m.: “Forward progress stopped,” Battalion Chief Paul Savona tells us.

UPDATE 8:18 p.m.: Cal Fire’s Jeremy Ward emailed us at 7:13 p.m.,

Today at approximately 4:00 PM, the CAL FIRE Humboldt – Del Norte Unit received report of a fire in the community of Pecwan, on Highway 169.  The fire involved a structure as well as vegetation.  Multiple agencies responded including:  Salyer Volunteer Fire Department, Hoopa Wildland Fire Department, Willow Creek Volunteer Fire Department, Yurok Wildland Fire Department, and CAL FIRE sent multiple resources.  Despite the challenging conditions of long response times and poor radio communications in that area, firefighters were able to stop the fire’s forward progress at approximately 6:00 PM.  The fire is currently holding at 1 ½ acres of vegetation and one structure was fully involved.  All aircraft and several ground resources have already been released.  Crews will remain at scene for an extended period to construct control lines and complete extinguishment of the vegetation and structure.  There were reports of some civilians self-evacuating, but latest updates indicate there are no official evacuations in effect.  Firefighters can be expected to be seen in the area for the next several days to ensure there are no hidden pockets of smoldering fuel.  The cause of the fire is under investigation.

With cooler fall temperatures in the Humboldt – Del Norte Unit, CAL FIRE would like to remind the public that the burn suspension is still in effect.  Now is a good time to prep debris piles for burning once the suspension is lifted, and with proper permits on permissive burn days.  For more information on how you can prevent wildfire, visit:  www.readyforwildfire.org

Photo taken during the release of the aircraft from the Church Incident, because the Humboldt – Del Norte Unit’s Deputy Chief of Operations, a qualified Air Attack, is about to retire, and flew today to coordinate aircraft assigned to the fire. [Photo from Cal Fire]