Wildfire in Northern California Grows Rapidly

In the early hours of Wednesday, two separate vegetation fires in Northern California merged into a single wildfire, escalating rapidly to consume around 50 acres. Firefighters faced daunting challenges on steep mountainsides that reached up to 100% slopes.

This blaze, referred to as the Milepost 16 Fire, began around 1:30 a.m. in a canyon near Milepost 16 along Highway 96. A significant response from local, state, and federal firefighting units quickly followed.

By Wednesday evening, the fire had grown to about 50 acres with no containment. It was burning north of Mill Creek Road, south of Norton Creek, east of Norton Creek Road, and west of Highway 96, close to the Hoopa Valley Reservation.

Firefighters noted that the challenging terrain made containment efforts particularly hazardous.

The Hoopa Fire Department and Office of Emergency Services pointed out, “Firefighting efforts are hindered significantly by the steep slopes, rock outcroppings, and limited access. Safety is the priority as suppression strategies are implemented.”

As challenges persisted, additional resources were requested. This included support from the Hoopa Conservancy, U.S. Forest Service Lower Trinity Ranger District, U.S. Forest Service Division 3, Yurok Conservancy, as well as air resources and more engines.

In response to the growing situation, an evacuation advisory was issued by the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office. They also closed the Hoopa Valley Airport, which would serve as a staging area for firefighting aircraft.

The airport closure meant it was not accessible to the public. Additionally, Highway 96 was shut down from Carpenter Lane in Hoopa to north of the Side Hill Viaduct as efforts to control the fire continued.

Wildfires are a persistent risk in Humboldt County due to its rugged terrain, dense forests, and dry conditions making it easy for small fires to escalate into larger incidents. Earlier this year, lightning sparked a fire in the Six Rivers National Forest, scorching more than 50,000 acres. In August 2020, over a million acres were reduced to ash across several Northern California counties.

This incident follows just a week after another wildfire that affected four acres near the Nixon Fishing Hole in Hoopa.