[UPDATE 8:55 p.m.: Contained] Cal Fire Air Support Responding to Vegetation Fire in Southern Humboldt

Emergency personnel have received a report of a vegetation fire off of French Road east southeast of Phillipsville, east  west of the Hooker Creek exit on Highway 101 on October 20 around 4:30 p.m.

Cal Fire air attack is above the scene with a spotter plane A501, tanker T96 and helicopter C909. Reports from the air put this fire currently at three acres with a potential of 5-10 acres. Air support is reporting there is a moderate rate of spread in brush, grass, and some timber with structures in the area, but none immediately threatened.

Two additional type 3 engines have been requested in addition to a water tender from Fruitland Ridge.

This is now being called the Sylvandale Fire.

Please remember that this story is unfolding. Information is being reported as we gather it. However, some of the information coming from witnesses and initial official reports could be wrong. We will do our best to get the facts but, in the case that something is inaccurate, we will update with correct information as soon as we can.

UPDATE 4:46 p.m.: Air traffic is reporting that the best access is off the Wood Ranch Road north of Redway.

Second District Supervisor, Michelle Bushnell is aware of the incident and in contact with Cal Fire personnel. She has been updating us as this fire progresses.

Update 5:02 p.m.: The flight radar shows Cal Fire tanker T90 from Ukiah and Cal Fire tanker T95 from Redding arriving to the scene of the Sylvandale IC.

Scanner traffic indicates ground crews are having difficulty locating an access to the remote area.

Update 5:33 p.m.: This photo was sent in from the scene of the Sylvandale Fire by a Salmon Creek Volunteer firefighter.

Update 5:53 p.m.: Scanner traffic indicates the Sylvandale Fire has burned 7 acres. Reports from the scene state the rate of spread is slow. Air support continues as tankers from Ukiah and Redding continue to drop retardant on the fire.

Fire personnel over the scanner are stating that they will lose air support within 30 minutes due to the loss of daylight. Ground crews continue to arrive at the scene. A dozer is in transport.

Update 6:06 p.m.: Air support is being released from the Sylvandale Fire. The dozer and additional engines have arrived at the scene.

This photo, sent in by a SCVFD firefighter, shows firefighters at the scene of the Sylvandale Fire.

UPDATE 6:19 p.m.: A tanker dropping retardant on the fire. Video by Kelly McGittigan

UPDATE 6:36 p.m.: This photo from Jared Hurlbutt on the Hurlbutt Ranch east of Hwy 101 shows the extent of the fire, and, thankfully, that the smoke is not as thick as it was earlier indicating that firefighters are getting a handle on the incident.

UPDATE 8:07 p.m.: “Forward progress has been stopped,” reports Cal Fire Battalion Chief Jeremy Ward. He told us that the air attack estimated that the fire was 15-16 acres. At one point, a spot fire jumped out and burned about a quarter acre. Although structures were nearby, Ward said that he had received no reports of damage. There is now hose lay or hand line around the majority of the fire, he told us. “We are going to have resources out there tonight [and] equipment out there for day shift tomorrow,” he told us.

Firefighters will be mopping up the area and making sure the embers are extinguished.

Update 8:55 p.m.: Supervisor Bushnell tells us that the fire burned 20 acres and is now fully contained.