A fast-moving wildfire has burned an estimated 80 acres of grass and oak woodland along Alderpoint Road a little over a mile northeast of Garberville as of Thursday morning.

The Point Fire has resulted in an evacuation order for a zone containing an estimated 160 residents. An additional 205 residents live in an adjacent zone under evacuation warning.

At this time, Cal Fire’s website lists the Point Fire as being 10% contained. Alderpoint Road is currently closed around the fire while crews work to stop the blaze’s forward progress. The fire’s activity seems maybe less aggressive than it did when it broke out Wednesday evening, still Cal Fire says there is hard work ahead. 

“Forecasted winds and poor relative humidity recovery pose additional risks to the containment lines,” Cal Fire said. “There has been a significant augmentation of air and ground resources to combat the fire, with continued efforts to construct and improve control lines.”

We will update as additional information becomes available.

More info from the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office:

Yesterday evening at approximately 5:46 p.m., the Point Fire ignited east of Garberville on Alderpoint Rd.

Due to the Point Fire, the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office has issued an Evacuation Order for the following zone: 

• Zone HUM-E220-A (North of Wallan Rd., south of Alderpoint Rd., east of Wallan Rd., Alderpoint Rd. and west of Alderpoint Rd., Clark Rd.)

Residents who are already evacuated this zone are not permitted to return to their residences. Any residents remaining in this zone should evacuate immediately. There are road closures in place on Alderpoint Rd. at Sawmill Rd. and on Alderpoint Rd. at Wallan Rd. Residents are advised to take Highway 101 North as an evacuation route.

Due to positive developments in fire behavior and the hard work of firefighters from Humboldt County, the Evacuation Order for the following zone has been downgraded to an Evacuation Warning:

• Zone HUM-E220-B (North of Alderpoint Rd., Timber Ln., south of Anita Dr., east of US 101 South and west of Wallan Rd.)

Residents of zone HUM-E220-B may return home with caution. Please note that road closures remain at Alderpoint Rd. and Wallan Rd. in this zone to prevent access to zone HUM-E220-A, which is currently under an Evacuation Order. Stay alert for outstanding dangers upon return including debris in roadways, gas leaks, hot embers and emergency response traffic. Residents should remain ready to evacuate again at a moment’s notice if conditions deteriorate. 

An Evacuation Warning has been issued for the following zone: 

• Zone HUM-E201-A (North of Alderpoint Rd., Anita Dr., south of Skyway Rd., east of US 101 South and west of Maw Drive Rd., Alderpoint Rd.)

Residents should continue to prepare for potential evacuations, including gathering personal supplies and overnight accommodations. More information will follow if an Evacuation Order is issued. 

Point Fire Information Line

Community members in need of evacuation information and those with questions related to the Point Fire and its impacts on Humboldt County should call 707-268-2500. Please do not call 9-1-1 unless you are experiencing an immediate emergency.  

Community members residing in areas under the evacuation order should travel away from wildfire activity and take Highway 101 North. There are road closures in place on Alderpoint Rd. at Sawmill Rd. and on Alderpoint Rd. at Wallan Rd.

Emergency Shelter

The American Red Cross has established an Emergency Shelter at South Fork High School, located at 6831 Avenue of the Giants in Miranda. Water and information will be available at this site. This site will be open today, Thursday, July 11, until 1 p.m.

Sign Up for Humboldt Alert

Humboldt County residents are encouraged to sign up for Humboldt Alert to receive local emergency notifications, including information regarding evacuations and emergency sheltering in the event of a wildfire or other emergency incident. Residents can sign up by going to humboldtgov.org/alert.

For more information on returning home after a wildfire and other great tips, visit: www.readyforwildfire.org/post-wildfire/after-a-wildfire/ 

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