Evacuation warnings as wall of flames challenges NorCal fire crews

Evacuation warnings were issued by the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office as firefighting crews struggled to contain a fast-growing wildfire in Northern California that merged from two separate vegetation fires. The fires combined early Wednesday, burning about 50 acres as crews battled extremely difficult mountain terrain with slopes estimated at 100% in some areas. The blaze, named the Mile Post 16 Fire, began around 1:30 a.m. in the Gorge area near Mile Post 16 on Highway 96, and by Wednesday evening it was 0% contained. Authorities shut Hoopa Valley Airport to the public, using it as a staging base for firefighting aircraft, and closed Highway 96 from Carpenter Lane in Hoopa to north of the Sidehill Viaduct. Officials said suppression efforts are being challenged by steep slopes ranging from 75% to 100%, rock outcroppings, and limited access, and they ordered additional personnel and air resources. The county has faced major fires before, including the 2023 lightning-sparked events in Six Rivers National Forest.