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UPDATE, 11:51 a.m.:

The Hoopa Valley Office of Emergency Services reports that the Hoopa Valley Airport is closed to the public today. 

“The airport is currently being utilized as an air operations base in support of the ongoing wildfire incident in the Hoopa Valley,” the agency explained on Facebook. “Air resources, including helicopters and other firefighting aircraft, will be operating throughout the day in support of suppression efforts.”

The agency also reports that management of the fire will be handed over to the North Coast Interagency Incident Management Team this evening at 6 p.m..

“Firefighters continue to make progress on the incident,” the Hoopa OES reports. “At this time, the fire remains within its current footprint and has not crossed to the east side of Highway 96.

Earlier today, the Hoopa Fire Department had this to say about how the fire started and how it’s being tackled:

At approximately 1:30 A.M., Hoopa Dispatch received reports of two separate vegetation fires in the Gorge area near Mile Post 16 on Highway 96 within the Hoopa Valley Reservation. The fires were located north of Mill Creek Road, south of Norton Creek, east of Norton Creek Road, and west of Highway 96.

Responding firefighters determined the two fires had merged into a single incident. The fire is currently estimated at approximately 50 acres.

Fire suppression efforts are being challenged by extremely steep terrain with slopes ranging from 75% to 100%, numerous rock outcroppings, and limited access. These hazardous conditions require firefighters to prioritize safety while implementing suppression strategies.

Additional resources have been ordered, including personnel from Hoopa Wildland Fire, the U.S. Forest Service Lower Trinity Ranger District, U.S. Forest Service Division 3, Yurok Wildland Fire, air resources, additional engines, and hand crews.

The fire thus far has remained within “containment objectives,” with no structures currently threatened.

Highway 96 remains closed in the incident area. Motorists are encouraged to use Dowd-Nixon Road as the designated alternate route when traveling between Hoopa and Weitchpec.

“Please drive cautiously and expect emergency personnel and equipment operating in the area,” the OES advises.

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Original post:

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From the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office:

Due to fire activity on the Mile Post 16 Fire, the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office has issued an EVACUATION WARNING for the following zones:

• HIA-E002: north of Oil Springs Rd., south of California Highway 96, east of Bigfoot Scenic Byway, west of Oil Springs Road, Forest Route 10n02
• HIA-E003: north of Carpenter Lane, Pine Creek Rd., south of Bloody Camp Rd., east of Pine Creek Rd., French Camp Rd., west of Bigfoot Scenic Byway

Residents should be ready to evacuate at a moment’s notice if fire behavior and weather conditions worsen. Residents are advised to prepare for potential evacuations, including gathering personal supplies and overnight accommodations. More information will follow if an Evacuation Order is issued.

Conditions are subject to change at anytime. Please visit Protect.Genasys.com for a full zone description.

For more information regarding the Mile Post 16 Fire, current impact and evacuation areas, please go to HumboldtSheriff.org/Emergency, or call 707-441-5000.

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From Caltrans:

Route 96 is FULLY CLOSED from Carpenter Lane in Hoopa to north of the Sidehill Viaduct (post mile 14.85 – 19) in Humboldt County due to wildfire.

There is currently no estimated time of reopening. Please check https://quickmap.dot.ca.gov/ or use the QuickMap app for the latest road conditions.

For wildfire information, please follow the guidance of local emergency services.