Milepost Fire Grows to 80 Acres, Firefighters Reach 40% Containment as Crews Deal With Blaze Along Highway 96
Video embedded from the Hoopa Fire Department and Hoopa Valley Tribe Office of Emergency Services
The Milepost Fire burning near Mile Post 16 on the Hoopa Valley Reservation has grown to approximately 80 acres but is now 40% contained, according to a Facebook post today, Thursday, July 9, by the Hoopa Fire Department and Hoopa Valley Tribe Office of Emergency Services. There are Evacuation Warnings in place.
The post states crews have conducted firing operations—a firefighting tactic that intentionally burns vegetation under controlled conditions—to strengthen containment lines and help slow the fire’s spread.
“Firefighters are actively working to protect our community and natural resources,” the post states.
The fire was first reported at approximately 1:30 a.m. Wednesday, when Hoopa Dispatch received reports of two separate vegetation fires near Mile Post 16 on Highway 96. The fires quickly merged into a single incident, which was initially estimated at about 50 acres.
Smoke rising from the steep cliffs near Hwy 96. [Photo from Caltrans]
On Wednesday morning, Caltrans closed an area of Highway 96 due to emergency fire operations. According to Caltrans today,
Route 96 will remain FULLY CLOSED between Hoopa and Weitchpec in Humboldt County (post mile 14.86-19) through tonight due to active fire operations and hazards along the roadway. Caltrans maintenance staff are on site and will reevaluate conditions early Friday morning.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation. As of Thursday’s update, officials had not announced any new evacuation orders or warnings.
UPDATE 3 p.m.: Press release from the Yurok Tribe:
Yurok Tribe
Earlier:
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