[Update: Intel 12 Maps Fire at 39 Acres] Reading Fire Ignites Near Douglas City, Prompts Full Wildland Response

Reading Fire as seen from the Oregon Mountain 1 camera on Alert California

Around 6:50 p.m. Sunday night, June 8, emergency dispatched alerted fire personnel to a fire in the area of Camp Gulch near Douglas City in Trinity County.

According to the reporting party, lightning was spotted in the area before a plume of smoke was visible. A full wildland response was issued to the Reading Creek area after the fire was confirmed on the Oregon Mountain camera on the Alert California system.

CAL FIRE Air Attack, Copter 506, and tankers 94, 95, and 133 departed Redding, en route to what has been dubbed the Reading Fire.

Copter 506 reports the fire is approximately 3 to 5 acres, with a moderate rate of spread, winds are 5-7 mph out of the south with some spotting ahead of the fire. Three additional engines, two water tenders, and two additional crews were requested due to the conditions reported by the air support crew.

Ground support reported that flames could be seen from Highway 299 as ground crews determine the best access route to the fire.

According to the copter 506 crew, there are structure to the south and to the west of the Reading Fire.

Please remember that information gathered from initial reports is subject to revision as more facts become available.

Update 7:25 p.m.: According to the incident commander, the fire has an estimated potential growth of 25 to 50 acres.

An additional dozer was ordered in addition to the two dozers previously ordered.

Update 7:36 p.m.: According to scanner traffic, the Reading Fire is now estimated to be 10 acres in size with active, short-range spotting at the head of the fire. Potential now estimated at 50 acres.

Update 7:53 p.m.: Though no official evacuation warning or notices have been issued in the area of the Reading Fire, scanner traffic indicates residents in the area are being notified in person. Emergency personnel stated that notices are being issued from Douglas City to Wilson Road, with some scanner traffic discussing a group of people known to camp in the gulch.

To monitor your zone for evacuation warnings or notices, click on the map below.

Ready Trinity map

Update 8:18 p.m.: The Reading Fire is now estimated between 20 to 30 acres in size. Additionally, copter 610C has been requested. Copter 610C is a Firehawk helicopter, Cal Fire’s upgraded, night-capable Sikorsky S‑70i model equipped for nighttime operations.

(Copter 610C was unable to respond due to time restriction limits.)

Update 8:53 p.m.: The Reading Fire as seen on Alert California’s Oregon Mountain camera.

Update 9:02 p.m.: Evacuation warnings have been issued for Zones DUG-260 and DUG-258 south of Highway 299 due to the Reading Fire. *Trinity County Officials urge residents in these areas to prepare for a potential threat to life and property. Those needing extra time to evacuate or who have pets and livestock should leave now.

Screenshot of the Ready Trinity map. (Please note, originally, the map placed the fire icon north of the evacuation areas, however, it has been updated. Due to the change in the map, the original screenshot was replaced with the current one at 10:40 p.m. for clarity. For the most current map, click on the image to be redirected to the Ready Trinity map.)

All tankers have been released from the Reading Fire, likely due to the safety precautions due to diminishing light. They are returning, empty, back to their base.

The fire is now estimated to be 80 acres with spotting. One spot fire is estimated to have burned approximately 1/4 of an acre.

*Note: This was updated after publication to reflect that the evacuation warning was issued by Trinity County officials, not the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office. Our apologies for any confusion this may have caused.

Update 9:35 p.m.: A timelapse of the Oregon Mountain camera on the Alert California system up until 9:35 p.m. shows the progression of the Reading Fire.

Update 10:30 p.m.:

Screenshot of the FlightRadar24 map as Intel 12 mapped the Reading Fire.

Intel 12, an advanced aerial reconnaissance platform operated by Cal Fire, uses infrared sensors and real-time data transmission to create highly accurate fire perimeter maps that help coordinate firefighting efforts. As of 10:28 p.m., Intel 12 mapped the Reading Fire at 39.37 acres.

Update information from Intel 12 indicates that the Reading Fire is approximately 39 acres as of 10:28 p.m. on June 8th.

Update 10:56 p.m.: Photos and videos of the Reading Fire from earlier tonight.

The Trinity River CHP shared this photo of the Reading Fire 8:44 p.m. on their X account, asking travelers to use caution in the area.

Drew Hutchinson shared this video on the Trinity County Community Facebook page at 9:03 p.m. tonight.

Images of the Reading Fire depict reduced fire activity on the same hillside, approximately two hours apart. [Photos by Drew Hutchinson]