Morning briefing on the Monument and Knob fires from the incident management team.

Press release from the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office:

Evacuation warnings and orders remain in effect for the Willow Creek area as fire crews work to contain the Knob Fire.


CURRENT SITUATION

The Knob Fire originated Sunday, Aug. 29, 2021 between 4:00 and 5:00 pm. It is burning in timber, brush and grass. The U.S. Forest Service (USFS) is leading fire suppression efforts. According to California Incident Management Team 5, as of 9 a.m. September 3, the Knob Fire is approximately 2,798 acres and 52% contained. More information about the USFS response to the Knob Fire and current acreage/containment estimates can be found here: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7750/


According to the Pacific Gas and Electric Company, approximately 640 Humboldt County customers are without power as of 8 a.m. September 3.. See outage map: https://pgealerts.alerts.pge.com/outages/map/


Humboldt County Sheriff’s deputies continue to patrol the mandatory evacuation zones and liaise with the fire Incident Management Team to ensure the safety of residents. 


Residents in the current evacuation warning zone are encouraged to conduct fire mitigation efforts on your property, including creating defensible space. Defensible space is the buffer you create between a building on your property and the grass, trees, shrubs or any wildland area that surround it. This space is needed to slow or stop the spread of wildfire and it helps protect your home from catching fire—either from embers, direct flame contact or radiant heat. Proper defensible space also provides firefighters a safe area to work in, to defend your home. 


Some things residents can, and are encouraged to do in and outside evacuation warning zones, include:

  • Remove all dead plants, grass and weeds (vegetation).

  • Remove dead or dry leaves and pine needles from your yard, roof and rain gutters.

  • Remove branches that hang over your roof and keep dead branches 10 feet away from your chimney.

  • Trim trees to keep branches a minimum of 10 feet from other trees.

  • Relocate wood piles.

  • Remove or prune flammable plants and shrubs near windows.

  • Remove vegetation and items that could catch fire from around and under decks, balconies and stairs.

  • Create a separation between trees, shrubs and items that could catch fire, such as patio furniture, wood piles, swing sets, etc.


Learn more about creating defensible space on your property at: https://www.readyforwildfire.org/prepare-for-wildfire/get-ready/defensible-space/


The Sheriff’s Office would like to remind members of the public that re-entry into Evacuation Order zones is prohibited by law. Community members wanting to help in the neighborhood defense effort are encouraged assist in hardening homes and properties outside the evacuation order zone. 

 

EVACUATION INFORMATION

EVACUATION ORDERS remain in effect for:

  • Areas east of Brushy Mountain Lookout Road/Forest Route 6N08A to Highway 299, south of Victor Creek to Butterfly Creek Road.

  • Areas east of Brushy Mountain Lookout Road/Forest Route 6N08A to the Trinity River, south of Butterfly Creek Road to the end of Forest Route 6N20.

An EVACUATION WARNING remains in effect for:

  •  Areas east of Boise Creek to the Humboldt/Trinity County Line, south of the Trinity River to Victor Creek. 

A map of evacuation zones is available at tinyurl.com/humcoevacmap


CURRENT ROAD CONDITIONS

The following road closures are in effect related to the Knob Fire:

  • China Creek Road at Hodgson Road;

  • Burwood Drive;

  • Gypo Lane;

  • Friday Ridge Road;

  • Panther Road;

  • Butterfly Creek Road.


The above routes are closed to entering traffic, but may be used by residents to leave the area in compliance with the evacuation orders.


State Route 299 is currently open to one-way controlled traffic in the fire area. Road conditions are subject to change based upon fire activity and public safety. Residents are encouraged to visit http://quickmap.dot.ca.gov/ to check for state highway closures. 


RESOURCES FOR THE COMMUNITY

An Evacuation Center remains open at the McKinleyville Seventh Day Adventist Church, located at 1200 Central Avenue, McKinleyville, for evacuees. Resources available at this location include:

  • Overnight sheltering;

  • Restrooms;

  • Water;

  • Red Cross services.


Large animal sheltering is available at the Hoopa Rodeo Grounds, located on Pine Creek Road in Hoopa.


Domestic pet sheltering is available at the following Red Cross Evacuation Centers:

  • McKinleyville Seventh Day Adventist | 1200 Central Avenue, McKinleyville, CA

  • Firemen’s Pavilion | 9 Park St., Fortuna, CA


Voting Information for Wildfire Evacuees: 

https://humboldtgov.org/2946/38197/Press-Releases-Notices-Recall2021 


SIGN UP FOR HUMBOLDT ALERT

County residents are encouraged to sign up for county emergency notifications via Humboldt Alert at humboldtgov.org/alerts. Residents must opt-in to receive evacuation notifications via phone or email. 


If having trouble signing up for Humboldt Alert online, please contact the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office of Emergency Services at 707-268-2500


FOR MORE INFORMATION

Additional updates will be issued via press release as needed. 


For more information regarding the Knob Fire, current impact and evacuation areas, please go to humboldtsheriff.org, visit @HumCoOES on Facebook and Twitter, or call 707-268-2500.