Milepost Fire Fully Contained, Crews Shift to Cleanup Mode

Press release from the North Coast Interagency Type 3 Incident Management Team:

Current Fire Situation 

The Mile Post Fire is now 100% contained, marking a significant milestone in the incident response. Today, crews reported no significant fire growth, reflecting the effectiveness of suppression efforts and the successful completion of containment objectives. 

With the fire fully contained, operations have transitioned into suppression repair and rehabilitation.  Firefighters have begun pulling hose lays from completed sections of the fireline to support cleanup and restoration efforts. 

Todays operational priorities will focus on completing hose retrieval, constructing water bars along hand lines to reduce erosion and protect natural resources, and continuing suppression repair work with heavy equipment. A road grader and excavator will be used to rehabilitate dozer lines and roads impacted by firefighting operations while maintaining effective control features and restoring the landscape. 

These accomplishments reflect the dedication and professionalism of all personnel assigned to the Mile Post Fire. The incident has successfully transitioned from active suppression to rehabilitation and repair, ensuring the area is stabilized and prepared for long-term recovery. 

Evacuations 

There are currently no evacuation warnings for the Mile Post Fire area.  

Weather Update 

Warm, dry weather will prevail across CAZ406 – Eastern Interior Humboldt, including Willow Creek and Hoopa, through today. Skies will be sunny with valley and lower slope temperatures ranging from 87 to 95°F, while ridges and upper slopes warm into the low to upper 70s. Minimum relative humidity will be very low, around 24 to 32 percent in the valleys and 26 to 34 percent on the ridges, supporting very dry fine fuels. Winds at 20 feet will generally be light to moderate, with northwest winds of 5 to 9 mph in the valleys and lower slopes, and northeast winds of 5 to 6 mph on ridges early, shifting to westerly 5 to 8 mph by afternoon. The mixing height will rise to around 3,100 feet AGL, allowing good vertical mixing. No wetting rain is expected, and the combination of hot temperatures, low humidity, and light to moderate winds will support active burning in exposed fuels, especially on slopes and in valley bottoms during the afternoon burn period.

Tonight, mostly clear skies will continue, with a slight chance of showers and thunderstorms  developing late in the evening and overnight. Lightning chances are around 10 percent.  

Temperatures will cool to 55 to 58°F in valleys and lower slopes, with ridges holding near 60°F.  While maximum relative humidity values are not specified, recovery is expected to be moderate to  good in the valleys and somewhat less on ridgetops. North winds of 5 to 8 mph will prevail at 20 feet  over both valleys and ridges, and the mixing height will lower to around 200 feet AGL, limiting  vertical transport. No wetting rain is anticipated, so any thunderstorms that do occur may produce  lightning with little or no rainfall, increasing the risk of new ignitions despite some overnight  moderation in fire behavior. 

Traffic Advisory Highway 96 Traffic Update 

Route 96 remains open under one-way traffic control between Hoopa and Weitchpec in Humboldt  County, from post miles 14.85 to 19, due to ongoing fire activity and debris along the roadway.  Maintenance crews are working today to clear debris and improve conditions, with operations  expected to continue into the evening and a goal of restoring two-way traffic by about 1:00 p.m.  Monday, although this timeline may change depending on conditions on the ground. Travelers  should expect delays, follow all traffic control directions, and continue to drive with extra caution in  the area while crews and fire personnel are present.