350 single-family homes threatened in Humboldt County fire, 4 people have evacuated

The Mile Post 18 Fire saw growth slow on Friday night into Saturday morning. Starting the weekend, the fire was estimated to be 5,202 acres — or a little more than 8 square miles — with 14% containment. There are 1,434 personnel assigned to the fire.

“Cooler temperatures and higher humidity helped moderate fire activity Friday. Crews made steady progress on the south section to protect the community of Hoopa,” officials reported in a Saturday morning update.

According to Edward Dula, a spokesperson with California Team 1, there are four people who have evacuated. There are nearly 500 structures threatened. Evacuation orders remain in two zones — Dula said neither had residents — and multiple zones are under evacuation warnings.

Dula listed 350 single-family residences, 75 minor structures, and a few dozen commercial, residential, and multi-family structures at risk by the Mile Post 18 Fire.

The Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office called the fire’s cause suspicious in nature earlier this week, noting it was particularly close to the Mile Post 16 Fire from a few weeks ago and there have been reports of suspected arson in the Hoopa area.

Around 11 a.m., the Hoopa Fire Department and Office of Emergency Services posted on social media that there would be a power outage in the area.

“We want to inform you that there will be a temporary power shutdown affecting approximately 12 poles in the northwest area near the fire zone,” the post stated. “This necessary action is being taken to safely remove hazard trees.”

Fire progress

The weather conditions have contributed to firefighting efforts with higher humidity increasing the moisture in the air.

“Increased humidity across the fire area will help fuels be less receptive to fire and stray embers,” a Saturday fire update said. “Cooler temperatures are forecast across the next few days.”

On the east side of the fire, firefighters are removing hazardous trees along state Route 96. The highway remains closed.

“Crews also continue to find and extinguish scattered pockets of heat along the 96 corridor,” the update stated.

Fire retardant is being dropped along the north side of the fire by aircraft.

“This will act as a holding feature that the firefighters will use to slow the spread of the fire to the north,” Saturday’s update stated. “Crews worked overnight to strengthen it by using strategic burning actions to burn remaining fuels between the fire’s edge and the retardant line.”

There were a few small spot fires near Big Hill Ridge, but firefighters quickly worked to contain the spots. Big Hill Lookout is wrapped for protection, and a contingency line was constructed between the fire and the lookout.