[UPDATE 3 p.m.: Some Resources Being Released] Wildfire Erupts Near Fortuna, Evacuations Underway in Hansen Drive Area

Smoke rising from the Palmer fire. Image from AlertCalifornia camera.

A wildfire broke out this afternoon about 2:13 p.m. near Palmer Boulevard and U.S. Highway 101 north of Fortuna, spreading and prompting evacuations for residents in the Hansen Drive area. The fire is beginning to encroach on a residence.

According to the scanner, emergency responders are on the scene, working to control the flames.

Residents in the Hansen Drive area are being urged by emergency personnel to evacuate immediately as the fire advances. Additional resources have been requested to manage the rapidly spreading fire, which is threatening structures.

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 2:28 p.m.: Reports from fire aircraft estimate the fire to be 1/4 acre in size and growing slowly.

UPDATE 2:33 p.m.: Two of the three structures above have been contacted and told to evacuate, air attack crew relayed to dispatch. He said that firefighters were getting a handle on the blaze and that Humboldt County Sheriff’s deputies could likely be told they weren’t needed for evacuations.

UPDATE 2:52 p.m.: Some air resources are being released from the fire. The AlertCalifornia camera shows that the smoke column is gone.

UPDATE 3 p.m.: All aircraft including the air attack has been released from the fire.

UPDATE 3:05 p.m.: The Incident Commander says firefighters have laid hose around the fire, and forward progress has been stopped. This is an important step because it means crews have managed to box in the fire, keeping it from spreading any further. With the fire contained within this perimeter, the immediate threat to nearby homes, structures, and wildland has been greatly reduced.

Firefighters will keep a close eye on things and work on mopping up hot spots to make sure the fire doesn’t spark back up.

Unless something significant happens, we won’t be updating this story.