Smoke seen from above Garberville [around 3:20 P.M.] (Photo provided by Shanda Centeno.)

UPDATE  12:21 P.M.: According to Terri Klemetson of KMUD, the Alderpoint Road is now open to through traffic.

UPDATE 6:07 P.M.: Go to the bottom of the post for a map describing how to drive around the fire closure.

UPDATE 5:55 P.M.: Captain Dave Brockman with Cal Fire says that “falling debris” and numerous firefighters and their equipment on the road means that Alderpoint Rd. will remain closed from Quarry Road to Lower Sawmill Road.  It is “too dangerous,” he says and explains that there is “live fire” on either side of the road. It won’t open, he says, until in the early hours of tomorrow morning.  

We’ll have a map up with a way to drive around in a few minutes.

UPDATE 5:23 P.M.: Cal Fire just posted on Facebook, “Firefighters are battling a 12 acre fire off Alder Point Rd, east of Garberville (Humboldt County).#GarbFire.”

UPDATE 5:18 P.M.: Photograph of a helicopter dipping water near Redway for the Alderpoint Road fire from [Rone Stensby.]

UPDATE 5:12 P.M.: Willison says that a dozer just went down the hill. She says she thinks that means that the firefighters don’t need it anymore. 

UPDATE 5:07 P.M.: Local resident Britney Willison  who says she is so close to the action that she is ” experiencing rain” from helicopter buckets reports, “The fire looks like its calming; however, there is still lots of smoke in the air.” She has this photo of CHP and County Roads blocking the bottom of Alderpoint Road near Garberville. 

UPDATE 4:01 P.M.: CHP reporting road closed for “4 plus hours.” They are turning around traffic at the CDF station just east of Garberville by the Garberville vet’s office.

UPDATE 3:59 P.M.: Report from scene that the first bomber has arrived!

UPDATE 3:41 P.M.:  Latest photo from Denise Neill:

UPDATE 3:41 P.M.: Northbound lane is completely blocked until fire under control, says CHP dispatch.

UPDATE 3:34 P.M.: CHP reporting traffic control needed on the Alderpoint Road. 

UPDATE 3:26 P.M.: Monroe says, “Threat to structures.”

Photo below taken from Benbow by Jennifer McCarthy.  

UPDATE 3:22 P.M.: Monroe says, that Cal Fire has requested another helicopter and two air tankers and Now requesting a total of five engines. The fire is now at 2 and a half acres.  It is wind driven. The fire is affecting two power poles. The fire is spotting 75 yards ahead of the fire.  

Original post below——————

There is a vegetation fire on Alderpoint Rd. about a mile and a half up from Garberville.  It has jumped the road and is burning on both sides. Over a quarter of an acre is burning.  The flames are racing uphill. A Cal Fire helicopter and three type three engines, two hand crews have been requested.

Fire engines and smoke could make the road dangerous. “It is a good idea for people to slow down,” explained George Monroe of the Southern Humboldt Fire Chiefs Association’s Public Information Team.

We will update with more information as soon as it becomes available.

———————————

HOW TO DRIVE AROUND THE FIRE CLOSURE:

1. Get in car. 2. Head towards 101 north
3.Slight right to merge onto US-101 N
16.4 mi
4.Take the California 254 exit towardMyers Flat
0.2 mi
5.Turn left onto CA-254 S/Avenue of the Giants
1.8 mi
6.Turn left onto Elk Creek Rd
2.7 mi
7.Slight right to stay on Elk Creek Rd
207 ft
8.Continue onto Dyerville Loop Rd
1.8 mi

Dyerville Loop Rd Myers Flat, CA 95554

	9. Head southeast on Dyerville Loop Rd
		1.3 mi
	10. Turn right to stay on Dyerville Loop Rd
		2.3 mi
	11. Turn left to stay on Dyerville Loop Rd
		6.0 mi
	12. Slight left onto Fort Seward Rd
		9.2 mi
	13. Turn left onto Alderpoint Rd
		8.8 mi

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