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In the above video update, sent to media this afternoon, Humboldt County Sheriff Billy Honsal and Office of Emergency Services (OES) Manager Ryan Derby offer an update on the Hopkins Fire and what Honsal calls “the rapidly evolving situation in Southern Humboldt.”

As previously reported, evacuations have been ordered for all communities along Alderpoint Road down to the Mendocino/Trinity County Line. 

“If you’re in that area, please evacuate now,” Honsal says.

A temporary evacuation point has been set up at the Humboldt County Fairgrounds in Ferndale, in cooperation with the American Red Cross. 

“The whole point of that location is for evacuees to come, receive information and then connect with Red Cross for the potential of non-congregate sheltering,” Derby says. That means hotel rooms provided by the Red Cross for those most in need. 

“Naturally, we’re recommending that those who have the means stay with family and friends,” Derby adds. 

Meanwhile, an evacuation warning has been issued for the area from Bell Springs west to Hwy. 101 in Garberville. “And what that means is you need to prepare your family, your household [and] any personal supplies that you need in preparation for an evacuation order,” Derby says. 

Honsal says the best things to do are to prepare your family and subscribe to Humboldt Alert [link here] to receive emergency notifications from the OES. 

Anyone with questions can call (707) 268-2500.