Evacuation warnings and orders remain in effect for southern Humboldt County as fire crews work to contain the August Complex West Zone, just east of the county line. The Humboldt County Emergency Operations Center continues to staff a Fire Evacuation Information Line at 707-268-2500 for questions regarding current county evacuations and resources.
CURRENT SITUATION
As of Tuesday, Sept. 15, 2020, at 7 a.m. the August Complex West Zone has not jumped the Eel River and has not entered Humboldt County. Fire crews continue working today to keep the fire east of the Eel River and out of the county away from populated areas. According to Cal Fire, the August Complex West Zone is currently 55,010 acres and 0 percent contained. The agency has not set a date or time for the lifting of Humboldt County evacuation orders.
Cal Fire has established a fire information line for questions related to fire activity, containment and resources at (707) 355-4926. Information can also be found online at https://www.fire.ca.gov/incidents/2020/8/16/august-complex-includes-doe-fire/.
NEW INFORMATION
Day-Access Permits Now Being Issued for Licensed Agriculture and Livestock Farmers in the Evacuation Order Zone
Beginning Tuesday, Sept. 15, 2020, the Humboldt County Planning & Building Department will be issuing single-day access passes to licensed agriculture and livestock farmers allowing temporary entry to properties within the county’s evacuation order zone. These passes will allow licensed farmers temporary day access to check on the wellbeing of property and care for livestock and crops. One vehicle per pass will be authorized to enter the evacuation order zone beginning at 10 A.M. and must exit the evacuation order zone by 6 P.M. that same day.
Farmers must obtain passes daily at the Planning & Building Department Office located at 3156 Redwood Drive, Redway, CA 95560 beginning at 10 A.M. In order to receive a daily pass, farmers must show valid identification which must match the owner listed on the permit of operations for the property. Law enforcement staffed at road closures will check the passes upon entry and exit of the evacuation order zone. Passes are approved by Cal Fire on a daily basis. Some licensed farmers may not be approved to access the evacuation zone due to proximity of the fire and conditions on that particular day.
For questions about the evacuation zone access passes, please contact:
- Humboldt County Planning & Building - Redway Office: 707-383-4100
- Humboldt County Planning & Building - Eureka Office: 707-445-7541
Northern California Regional Evacuation Shelter returns to Temporary Evacuation Point
The Northern California Regional Evacuation Shelter at the Humboldt County Fairgrounds in Ferndale is discontinuing overnight sheltering operations due to the absence of demand for on-site overnight sheltering of evacuees.
The Humboldt County Fairgrounds will return to functioning as a Temporary Evacuation Point for persons evacuated from Humboldt and Trinity counties due to wildfire activity. The Temporary Evacuation Point will continue providing the following services to evacuees:
- Water,
- Fire information,
- Restrooms,
- Red Cross services,
- Livestock and small pet boarding.
Evacuees in need to overnight sheltering will be connected with Red Cross personnel to arrange off-site accommodations.
Virtual Community Meetings Scheduled for North and West Zones of Fire
August Complex-North Zone
The August Complex-North Zone will hold a Virtual Community Meeting at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 15, 2020 to provide a fire overview and to allow the public to ask questions. If you would like questions answered during the virtual public meeting, please submit them through the social media channels listed below.
The meeting will be live streamed on:
August Complex-West Zone
The August Complex-West Zone will hold a Virtual Community Meeting at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 16, 2020 to provide a fire overview and to allow the public to ask questions. If you would like questions answered during the virtual public meeting, please submit them through the social media channel listed below.
The meeting will be live streamed on:
CURRENT HUMBOLDT COUNTY EVACUATION INFORMATION
The following areas are under an EVACUATION ORDER:
- Areas south of Casterlin Road, including all properties on Casterlin Road, to the Mendocino / Trinity County Line and east of Dyerville Loop Road and Bell Springs Road to the county line
The following areas are under an EVACUATION WARNING:
- All areas west of Bell Springs Road to Highway 101 spanning from Elk Creek Road / Dyerville Loop Road to the Mendocino / Trinity County Line in Southern Humboldt County.
- All areas east of Alderpoint Road spanning from Highway 36 to Casterlin Road, not including all properties on Casterlin Road.
Maps of evacuation zones and routes are available at humboldtgov.org/evacmap or humboldtsheriff.org
Evacuation order and warning locations are determined by Cal Fire. The Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office of Emergency Services will notify residents of new orders or warnings via Humboldt Alert, online at humboldtsheriff.org and on the HumCoOES social media pages.
CURRENT ROAD CONDITIONS
The following roads remain closed:
- Alderpoint Road from Fort Seward Road to Dyerville Loop Road.
- Bell Springs Road from Alderpoint Road to the County line.
RESOURCES FOR THE COMMUNITY
The Humboldt County Office of Emergency Services is not currently accepting donations. Please do not drop off donations at the Humboldt County Fairgrounds.
To volunteer or donate to assist regional wildfire evacuees, please contact:
Pay it Forward Humboldt
- Volunteer: 707-499-2364
- Donation: 707-499-3840
- payitforwardhumboldt@gmail.com
Humboldt Area Foundation
American Red Cross
Humboldt CERT
HELPFUL INFORMATION
County residents are encouraged to sign up for Humboldt Alert at humboldtgov.org/alerts.
- Humboldt County Fire Evacuation Information Line: 707-268-2500
- August Complex West Zone Fire Information Line (Cal Fire): 707-355-4926
- August Complex North Zone Fire Information Line (USFS): 530-628-0039
- August Complex South Zone Fire Information Line (USFS): 530-487-4602
- Red Salmon Complex Fire Information (USFS): 530-316-1042
- Air Quality Monitoring: North Coast Unified Air Quality Management District
For more information regarding the August Complex West Zone’s current impact on Humboldt County and current evacuation areas, please go to humboldtsheriff.org, visit @HumCoOES on Facebook and Twitter, or call 707-268-2500.
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For the latest August Complex West Fire information: humboldtsheriff.org
Facebook and Twitter: @HumCoOES
Instagram: @HumboldtSheriff