MP18

MP18 Fire Report - August 24, 2026

Fire Start, Size and Growth

Start Date/Time/Location: The MP18 Fire (also known as the Mile Post 18 Fire) ignited around 7:04 p.m. on Friday, August 7, 2026, on Highway 96 at Norton Creek, north of Hoopa in Humboldt County, California.
Size and Containment: As of August 24, 2026, the fire has burned 7,610 acres and is 74% contained.
Fuels, Growth and Rate of Spread: The fire has been primarily fueled by federal timber, grass, and understory land in steep terrain along the Trinity River corridor. While the fire experienced rapid growth in its first week due to dry fuels and breezy conditions, it is currently holding within its existing footprint. Fire behavior over the last 72 hours has been characterized as moderate, backing, and smoldering.
Containment Efforts: Management of the fire transitioned to California Interagency Incident Management Team 2 (CIIMT 2) on the evening of August 23. A substantial response force of 1,264 personnel is currently engaged. With the fire's perimeter largely secured, crews are implementing a suppression repair plan to restore the land, prevent extreme soil erosion, and protect cultural and natural resources. Ground crews are also chipping woody debris along Oil Springs Road and Mill Creek Road to reduce fuel loads. The estimated cost of suppression efforts to date is approximately $34.2 million.

Emergency Information

Evacuations and Sheltering:
Mandatory Evacuation Orders: As of the last 72 hours, improving conditions have allowed authorities to downgrade all mandatory evacuation orders. Zones HIA-E002-A and HIA-E014-D have been downgraded from Orders to Warnings.
Evacuation Warnings: Evacuation warnings remain active for zones HIA-E002-A and HIA-E014-D. Previous warnings for zones HIA-E002-B, HIA-E014-E, and HIA-E014-F have been fully lifted to normal status.
Curfew: No curfews are currently reported for this incident.
Evacuation Shelters and Information: Specific evacuation shelter locations and the exact estimated number of people impacted have not been detailed in recent official reports, as the threat level has significantly decreased. However, the primary populations impacted include residents of the Hoopa Valley Tribe and surrounding communities along the Trinity River. Residents can identify their current evacuation zone using the Humboldt County Genasys Protect map.

Road and Infrastructure Closures:

• Closures remain in effect for Hostler Ridge Road, Mill Creek Road, and Big Hill Road due to ongoing fire activity and suppression repair.
• State Route 96 has experienced intermittent closures and one-way controlled traffic between Mile Post 15.5 and 21. Hazard tree removal continues along the Highway 96 corridor to ensure the safety of the roadway and firefighters.

For more information, visit:

• CAL FIRE Incident Updates
• Humboldt County Genasys Protect Evacuation Map
• InciWeb - MP18 Fire Official Page

Current Impact

Impacts:
Injuries and Fatalities: There have been no firefighter or civilian injuries or fatalities reported in connection with the MP18 Fire.
Structures Impacted: The fire threatened structures, power lines, tribal timberlands, and cultural resources in the Hoopa area. Firefighters successfully wrapped the Big Hill Lookout in protective material to protect communications infrastructure. Currently, there are no reports of any structures being destroyed.
School and Business Closures: No widespread school or business closures are currently reported, as the threat to the main Hoopa community has diminished.
Notable Impacts: The fire has significantly impacted the Hoopa Valley Tribe's lands. Suppression repair is actively underway to mitigate the firefighting impacts on these culturally and naturally significant areas.

Safety Concerns:
Power Outages: While power lines were initially threatened during the fire's earlier runs, no active widespread power outages are reported.
Water Safety: Suppression repair plans are actively focusing on preventing extreme soil erosion into the Trinity River watershed to protect local water quality.
Burn Bans: Standard seasonal fire restrictions and burn bans remain in effect for Humboldt County.
Air Quality: Internal fuel consumption within the fire's perimeter continues to generate visible smoke. This may impact surrounding communities and degrade air quality downwind. Sensitive groups are advised to limit outdoor activities and keep windows closed when smoke is heavy.

Ongoing Outlook

Containment Projections: With containment at 74%, firefighters expect to continue making steady progress. The fire is holding within its footprint, and overnight infrared flights are being used to map remaining hotspots so ground crews can locate and extinguish them. Full containment is expected in the coming weeks as crews transition deeper into the suppression repair and mop-up phases.
Weather and Wind Warnings: There are no Red Flag Warnings currently in effect. A seasonable weather pattern is forecast through early next week, featuring highs in the 80s, light terrain-driven winds, and daytime relative humidity values around 30%. Southwest winds may push flames into unburned vegetation within the interior of the fire's perimeter, but the threat of outward spread is currently very low.

Cause and the Role of Weather and Climate

Cause: Official incident reports from the state classify the cause of the MP18 Fire as human-caused.
Weather and Climate: The fire's initial rapid spread was fueled by hot, dry, and breezy conditions typical of California's peak fire season, burning through drought-stressed trees and dead vegetation. The recent moderation in fire behavior is largely due to a cooperative weather pattern, including a modest warming and drying trend without extreme heat, which has allowed firefighters to secure the perimeter effectively.

For more information, visit:

• CAL FIRE Incident Updates
• Humboldt County Genasys Protect Evacuation Map
• InciWeb - MP18 Fire Official Page