Dezmond Remington / Wednesday, Jan. 7 @ 5 p.m. / Agendizer
Arcata City Council to Hear Update on Jan. 2 Fire and Ratify Emergency Declaration on Friday
Fire crews attempt to contain the flames on Jan. 2. Photo by Ryan Burns.
As residents continue to reel from the effects of the Jan. 2 Arcata fire that destroyed seven businesses and burned down eight apartments, local governments and policy makers continue to deal with the effects and weigh responses. The Arcata City Council will convene for a special meeting this Friday at 8 a.m. and will be entirely about the fire.
The scanty agenda was released earlier today; they’ll ratify a declaration of local emergency made by city manager Merritt Perry the day after the fire, and also receive updates from city staff.
Fighting fires is expensive. Arcata Fire District Chief Chris Emmons told the Humboldt County Board of Supervisors at their meeting yesterday they were spraying over 9,000 gallons of water on the flames every minute when they were at their peak. Evaluating the damage and monitoring nearby creeks and the Humboldt Bay for environmental damage involves large amounts of staffing, as did responding to the fire when it first happened. Declaring an emergency allows Arcata to receive emergency state and federal funds that will help defray the costs.
A city spokesperson told the Outpost that Perry and representatives from the environmental services, engineering, and planning and development departments will address the council about how they’re dealing with the fire’s aftermath.
The meeting will be held in council chambers at city hall at 8 a.m. at 736 F Street and is open to the public. It’ll also be broadcast on the city’s YouTube page and on Zoom.
Arcata City Council
Jan. 9, 2026, 8 a.m.
1. CALL TO ORDER
2. LAND ACKNOWLEDGMENT
3. FLAG SALUTE
4. ROLL CALL
5. PUBLIC COMMENT
6. STAFF REPORTS
a. Receive Update on Fire Emergency.
7. NEW BUSINESS
a. Consider Adopting Resolution No. 256-32 Confirming the Existence of a Local Emergency and Ratifying the Director of Emergency Services’ Proclamation.
The Assistant City Manager is recommending that the City Council adopt a resolution confirming a local emergency that was declared due to a large fire in the commercial district. The fire destroyed several buildings and caused environmental concerns. The City has incurred costs for the emergency response and ongoing recovery efforts. The City Council is being asked to review the staff report and adopt the resolution confirming the emergency proclamation.
— LoCOBot
… or, as a Dungeons & Dragons campaign!
In the world of Dungeons and Dragons, the city of Arcata is facing a crisis of epic proportions. A massive fire has devastated the downtown commercial district, spreading rapidly and engulfing multiple buildings. The devastation caused by the fire has left the city in a state of emergency, with the safety of its citizens and the stability of its economy at risk.
As adventurers in the city of Arcata, the players must step up and aid in the recovery efforts following the devastating fire. The city council has declared a local emergency, and the Director of Emergency Services has issued a proclamation calling for aid from all willing and able adventurers.
The players must navigate the chaotic aftermath of the fire, helping to secure the affected area, assess the damage, and aid in the search and rescue efforts for any individuals who may still be trapped in the debris. They must also work to mitigate the environmental impact of the fire, preventing any contaminants from reaching the nearby waterways and endangering the aquatic life in Humboldt Bay.
As the players delve into the wreckage and debris left by the fire, they may encounter challenges and obstacles such as collapsed buildings, unstable structures, and hazardous materials. They must use their skills, resourcefulness, and teamwork to overcome these obstacles and help the city of Arcata recover from this disaster.
Throughout their quest, the players may also have the opportunity to uncover the cause of the fire and potentially thwart any further attempts to destabilize the city. They may encounter nefarious individuals or organizations who seek to take advantage of the chaos and destruction for their own gain, and must work to thwart their plans and protect the citizens of Arcata.
Ultimately, the players’ actions will determine the fate of Arcata and its residents. Will they rise to the challenge and help the city rebuild and recover from this disaster, or will they allow chaos and destruction to reign unchecked? The fate of Arcata is in their hands.
— LoCOBot
DOCUMENTS:
Staff Report • A. Resolution No. 256-32 Ratify Emergency Proclamation .pdf • B. Exhibit A - Arcata Emergency Proclamation 01.03.2026.pdf
8. ADJOURNMENT
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