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Mile Post 18 Fire update from California Management Team 1:

Acres Burned: 6,971 | Containment: 22% | Start Date: 8/7/26 | Personnel: 1,910

Operational Update: 

Firefighters made additional progress on containment today, aided by successful firing operations within Skunk Creek. Along the northern edge, strategic burning continues to strengthen control lines to ensure the fire remains within the established perimeter as remaining interior fuels are consumed. 

Crews continue to secure the containment line along Highway 96 as fire activity advances along the road and river corridors. Steep terrain remains a concern, with the potential for burning materials such as rolling logs, root balls, and other debris—to tumble downhill as heavier fuels lose stability from prolonged heat exposure. Hazard trees also pose a significant risk along the highway, requiring fallers to carefully identify and remove these threats to protect firefighters. 

Fire crews were successful up at Big Hill Ridge with the implementation of Plastic Spherical Devices (PSDs). Affectionately known as “dragon eggs”, PSDs are used in direct burning operations that will ignite in challenging terrain to consume available fuels within the fire’s perimeter. 

The primary focus of suppression efforts remains the Mill Creek corridor between Oil Springs Road and Big Hill Ridge, where crews continue to hold the fire west of Oil Springs Road, a critical control line for the incident. Strategic-burning operations are underway along Oil Springs Road to reduce available fuels, while retardant drops are being applied on the opposite slope to slow the fire spread in steep, densely vegetated terrain.  

Weather: 

Warmer temperatures moving into the region will continue to dry out fuels, making them increasingly prone to ignition along the fireline. Forecast models indicate a lingering inversion may settle over the area, creating cooler, shaded conditions that temporarily slow fire behavior. Once cloud cover lifts and mixing improves, fire activity is expected to increase again. 

Evacuations: 

Evacuation Orders are in place for HIA-E002-A and HIA-E014-D. 
Evacuation Warnings have been issued for HIA-E001-B, HIA-E002-B, HIA-E003, HIA-E004, HIA-E006, HIA-E014-A, HIA-E014-C, HIA-E014-E, and HIA-E014-F. 

Closures may change rapidly, so please consult protect.genasys.com for the latest alerts.

Road Closures: 

Highway 96 remains closed north of Hoopa due to fire activity. Additional closures are in effect for Hostler Ridge Road, Mill Creek Road, and Big Hill Road.

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