Single Publication

HILL FIRE INCIDENT UPDATE Date: July 22, 2024 

Fire Information: 530-414-9056 or dial 211 Hours: 08:00AM to 8:00PM 

Location: Humboldt County, CA 

Size: 5582 acres 

Cause: Under Investigation 

Email: 2024.Hill@firenet.gov  

Incident Website: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/casrf-hill-fire

https://www.fire.ca.gov/incidents/2024/7/16/hill-fire

Start Date: Monday July 15, 2023, at 5:40 PM 

Percent Contained: 7% 

Personnel: 1995 

CURRENT SITUATION: 

Yesterday, on the east side of the fire crews made significant progress with tactical firing operations along 6NO6 Forest Road to increase the depth of the fireline and eliminate pockets of fuel that could threaten its integrity. The operation continued southward from the 5NO1A Road, moving towards the south end of the fire in the Mosquito Creek drainage. Progress was made in the southwest area of the fire with handline and hose lines in place. Continuing north crews continued to secure the lines and mop up any hot spots. The spot fires in the northwest area did not show significant fire behavior or growth, and crews continue secure the perimeter. 

Today, firefighters will utilize appropriate tactical firing operations to strengthen control lines and patrol perimeter to identify and mitigate the potential for escape outside of established control lines on the east side of the fire. Heavy equipment and hand crews completed the fire line along the south end of the fire in the Mosquito Creek drainage out to 6NO6 Road. The west and north flanks of the fire continue to stay within their current footprint, and crews will be patrolling and extinguishing hotspots near the fires edge. There are still pockets of unburned fuel within the fire perimeter. As these pockets continue to burn and smolder, residents will continue to see smoke coming from the fire area. The structure defense group continues to collaborate with local fire departments to assess residences in the area and develop a structure defense plan. Crews are also looking beyond the current fire lines and developing contingency strategies in case the fire breaches containment lines. 

WEATHER: 

A strong short-lived heat wave will begin to quickly build today with highs cresting into the 90s and RH dropping back below 30 percent. The high pressure will bring a return to very poor RH recoveries at height elevations tonight alongside enhanced drainage winds. Heat will peak on Tuesday with very dry conditions and areas approaching 100. 

EVACUATIONS: Evacuation order and warnings remain in effect. For current updates on evacuations, visit https://www.facebook.com/HumboldtSheriff and https://humboldtgov.org/2383/Current-Emergencies. 

Conditions are subject to change at any time, visit https://protect.genasys.com/search for a full zone description. Sign up for Humboldt Alert emergency notifications at https://humboldtgov.org/2014/Emergency-Notifications 

CLOSURES:

Forest Closure Order currently in effect for the area impacted by the Hill Fire. It is temporarily prohibited to be on any national forest system land, trail, or road within the closure area. To view the closure order and map of closure area visit the following link www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/fseprd1191963.pdf.

Road closures are currently in place on Friday Ridge Rd. at Forest Service Route 6N06, Friday Ridge Rd. at Forest Route 5N01 and Friday Fridge Rd. at Forest Route 5N04. For updated road closure information, visit protect.genasys.com or humboldtsheriff.org/emergency.                                                                                                                                               

FIRE RESTRICTIONS: 

Forest fire restrictions also went into effect on July 12th. Campfires and stove fires are restricted to those developed areas listed in the forest order located at https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/fseprd1188610.pdf.

Smoking, welding, and operating an internal combustion engine also have restrictions in place.