Hwy 96 has been closed between Willow Creek and Hoopa near mile post 7.47 due to a fire that is sending rocks and rolling debris into the road, confirmed Peggi Lawrence, Public Affairs Specialist with Six Rivers National Forest. CHP dispatch has no estimated time for the road to reopen.

Lawrence said that the fire, which is being called the Sugar Bowl Incident, had reached 30 acres. Originally reported at 3:50 a.m. crews have been pouring in. “Right now,” Lawrence said, “we’ve got four engines, two crews, and two water tenders from the Forest Service. Hoopa and Cal Fire are supplying us with equipment and crews. More crews and fallers [are] on order. A helicopter should be on the way to do reconnaissance.”

The cause of the fire is under investigation.