As firefighters gain control over the Knob Fire burning just south of Willow Creek in Humboldt County, fire officials are redirecting resources southeast back to the Monument Fire burning along state Route 299 between Burnt Ranch and Big Bar.
Monument Fire
The Monument Fire grew by approximately 4,000 acres Sunday night to 183,371 acres with 37% containment, as of Monday afternoon. There are 2,053 personnel, 37 hand crews, 126 engines, four helicopters, 38 dozers, 42 water tenders and 30 masticators assigned to the fire.
“As containment increases on the Knob Fire, fire managers will shift firefighting resources to the southwest perimeter of the Monument Fire,” according to a fire update from the U.S. Forest Service. “The highest priority will be to secure the containment line along Hyampom Road. …The firing operations will intermittently restrict vehicle access into Hyampom.”
Firefighters focused on improving containment lines along Hyampom Road on Monday and worked along Pattison Ridge to keep the fire in check as it moves downslope toward Hyampom Road.
“On the northeast side at the North Fork Trinity River, resources continue to complete a section of handline along Backbone Ridge,” the update stated. “The fire has not crossed to the eastern bank of the North Fork Trinity River and crews will continue to monitor fire activity. In all other areas of the fire, crews will continue to monitor and patrol existing containment lines and extinguish any hot spots.”
The Trinity County Sheriff’s Office added residents along Hyampom Road from Lucky Jeep Trail west to Halfway Ridge to the evacuation order and urged residents to evacuate immediately.
“Road closures are at the intersection of Hyampom Road and Lucky Jeep Trail and Hyampom Road and Halfway Ridge,” according to the sheriff’s office Facebook page. “Alternate routes of travel are FR 10/ St. John Road and FR 60.”
The following communities remain under an evacuation order:
- Helena/East Fork Road
- Hobo Gulch Road
- Big Mountain Road
- Big French Creek Road
The sheriff’s office said the communities of Salyer and Hawkins Bar have been reduced out of evacuation warning, including Trinity Village.
“All areas along SR 299 both north and south of the highway in the area of Hawkins Bar between Grays Falls west to the Francis B Matthews Rest Area are reduced out of an evacuation warning,” the sheriff’s office said. “This includes all of Trinity Village and residences along Denny Road to Zeigler Point Road.”
The following communities remain under an evacuation warning:
- Denny Road east from Ziegler Point Road through Denny to the Trinity Alps Wilderness Area boundary.
- Section of Campbell Ridge Road and Woods Lane near the Trinity River along the Humboldt/Trinity County line.
- Canyon Creek Road in Junction City.
Trinity County evacuation information: Trinity County Sheriff’s Office Facebook page or 530-623-2611.
Road closures remain in effect for the following areas:
- Northeast of Hayfork: Big Creek Road, Barker Valley Road, Barker Creek Road and Carr Creek Road.
- West of Junction City: Big French Creek Road, Big Mountain Road and Soldier Creek Road.
- South of Willow Creek: Hodgson Road, Burwood Drive, Panther Road and Butterfly Creek Road.
The public can travel on state Route 299 through the fire perimeter between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m, according to Caltrans’ Quick Map. Pilot cars are being used to lead vehicle caravans between Burnt Ranch and Helena every three hours. Residents are allowed to travel through the area between 7 p.m. and 7 a.m. with proof of their address.
More information can be found at quickmap.dot.ca.gov.
Knob Fire
The Knob Fire has grown to approximately 2,414 acres with 82% containment, as of Monday afternoon. There are currently 222 personnel, seven hand crews, 23 engines, three dozers and two water tenders assigned to the fire.
“Fire behavior was minimal throughout (Sunday) night and crews continued to patrol and mop up hot spots within the existing containment lines,” according to a fire update from the U.S. Forest Service. “Crews will continue to strengthen existing containment lines and patrol for any hot spots 300 feet within the fire perimeter area.”
All areas east of the Knob Fire perimeter to the Humboldt/Trinity County line, south of China Creek to Friday Ridge Road, have been downgraded to an evacuation warning. Residents who live in this area may begin to return home but should remain ready to evacuate again at a moment’s notice.
The Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office cautioned residents returning home as “many dangers can remain.” The sheriff’s office offered the following advice:
- “When driving, watch for trees, brush and rocks which may have been weakened or loosened by fire weather and response. Be aware of debris or damage to roadways.
- Inspect your home: check for the smell of gas and use a battery-powered flashlight to check for hot embers in rain gutters, on the roof, under overhangs, under decks and crawl spaces, wood and debris piles and attic.
- If electricity is off, make sure all appliances are off before turning power back on. If there are any electrical wires on the ground, stay clear and contact your utility company immediately.
- Discard any food that has been exposed to heat, smoke or soot.
- Use a hose or wet towels to wet down and wipe off ash rather than sweeping or blowing it back into the air, creating unhealthy conditions.
- Consider replacing all filters in your home and vehicle.
- To rid your home of the smell of smoke, attach filters to box fans, cover with a wet towel doused in fabric softener and allow them to run to filter the air.”
An evacuation order remains in effect for the following communities:
- Areas east of Brush Mountain Lookout Road/FS Road 6N08A to SR 299, south of Victor Creek to China Creek.
- Areas east of Brush Mountain Lookout Road/FS Road 6N08A to the eastern perimeter of the Knob Fire south of China Creek to Friday Ridge Road.
- Areas east of Brush Mountain Lookout Road/FS 6N08A to the South Fork Trinity River, south of Friday Ridge Road to the end of the FS Road 6N20.
An evacuation warning remains in effect for the following communities:
- Areas of Boise Creek to the Humboldt/Trinity County line, south of the Trinity River to Victor Creek.
- Areas east of SR 299 to the Humboldt/Trinity County line, south of Victor Creek to China Creek.
A map of evacuation zones related to the Knob Fire can be found at tinyurl.com/humcoevacmap.
The following road closures are in effect for entering traffic but can be used by residents leaving the area in compliance with an evacuation order:
- China Creek Road at Hodgson Road
- Burwood Drive
- Gypo Lane
- Friday Ridge Road
- Butterfly Creek Road
- Panther Road
More information on the Knob Fire can be found at humboldtsheriff.org, inciweb.nwcg.gov, on the Humboldt and Trinity County Sheriff’s Office Facebook pages and at 707-268-2500.
Evacuation sites
Residents fleeing the Knob and Monument fires can seek shelter at the following locations:
- McKinleyville Seventh Day Adventist Church at 1200 Central Ave. in McKinleyville.
- Fireman’s Hall Pavilion at 9 Park St. in Fortuna.
- Shasta College at 1155 Old Oregon Trail Building 1900 in Redding.
Shelter for domestic animals is available at the Trinity County Animal Shelter at 563 Mountain View St. in Weaverville. Domestic and large animals can be taken to the Hoopa Rodeo Grounds on Pine Creek Road in Hoopa.
Isabella Vanderheiden can be reached at 707-441-0504.