CAL FIRE Humboldt-Del Norte Unit

09/21/2026

TRAINING ANNOUNCEMENT: Water Rescue Operations at Stone Lagoon

​On Monday, September 21st, residents and visitors near Stone Lagoon in Humboldt County may notice increased low-level helicopter activity and emergency vehicles in the area. Copter 604 and the Kneeland Helitack Crew will be joining forces with key local partner agencies to conduct intensive, live-water rescue training.

​This collaborative field exercise brings together:

•Kneeland Copter 604 & Kneeland Helitack Crew
•Humboldt Bay Dive Team
•California State Parks Lifeguards
•​Trinidad CAL FIRE Station

While the S-70i Firehawk is best known for its vital role in wildland firefighting, it serves as a multi-mission platform capable of complex medical evacuations and technical air rescue operations across our rugged region.

To keep our flight crews and rescuers sharp for emergency calls, realistic field exercises are essential.

Serving Humboldt and Del Norte Counties Beyond the Fireline

So far in 2026, Copter 604 and Kneeland Helitack Crews have answered the call for critical local missions:

•42 Total Rescue Dispatches: Responding to emergency calls across hard-to-reach terrain and remote locations in Humboldt and Del Norte Counties, Klamath National Forest, Siskiyou County, and Trinity National Forest
•20 Direct Patient Transports: Transporting patients directly from remote locations to next-level medical care.
•10 Hoist Rescues: Executing precision technical rescues in terrain where ground access or landing was impossible.

Training events like the upcoming exercise at Stone Lagoon ensure our team remains prepared to deploy at a moment's notice when every second counts.

➡️Public Advisory: Please be aware of the scheduled aircraft presence around Stone Lagoon on September 21st. We ask that visitors give the operational area space to ensure the safety of the public and our training crew.

Thank you for your continued support as we train to serve Humboldt and Del Norte Counties!

09/18/2026

PRESCRIBED BURN | BOYES PRAIRIE

Today, CAL FIRE Humboldt–Del Norte Unit personnel assisted California State Parks with prescribed burning at Boyes Prairie in Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park.

Approximately 120 acres of grass were treated during today’s prescribed burn.

Prescribed fire helps reduce vegetation, support ecosystem health, and restore fire to fire-adapted landscapes.

Residents and visitors may continue to see smoke in the area following today’s burning operations.

09/16/2026

Today, members of U.S. Coast Guard Sector Humboldt Bay visited the CAL FIRE Humboldt–Del Norte Unit Emergency Command Center in Fortuna.

The visit gave our partners an opportunity to learn more about ECC operations, including how emergency calls are coordinated, resources are dispatched, and incidents are supported throughout Humboldt and Del Norte counties.

Visits like this help strengthen communication, coordination, and understanding between agencies before the next emergency.

09/15/2026

Creating defensible space around your home is one of the most important steps you can take to help reduce wildfire risk.

Southern Humboldt residents are invited to take part in Defensible Space Days and dispose of woody vegetation for free.

November 7–8, 2026
9 a.m.–3 p.m.
Eel River Conservation Camp
850 Eel River Camp Road, Redway

Bring your shrubs, brush, limbs, trees, and clean stumps. Staff will be available to help unload.

➡️An address is required to participate.

Reducing vegetation around homes helps slow wildfire spread, gives firefighters more room to work, and helps protect our communities.

Do the work now. Create defensible space. Help Southern Humboldt become more wildfire resilient.

Read more: https://dot.ca.gov/.../d1-news/d1-news-release-2026-09-14

Caltrans District 1 Southern Humboldt Fire Safe Council

09/15/2026

Southern Humboldt residents: Clearing brush to help protect your home from wildfire? We can help with the disposal part.

Caltrans District 1, CAL FIRE Humboldt-Del Norte Unit and the Southern Humboldt Fire Safe Council are hosting free Defensible Space Days Nov. 7 and 8 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Eel River Conservation Camp near Redway (850 Eel River Camp Road, Redway).

Bring woody vegetation including brush, limbs, shrubs, trees and clean stumps. Staff will be there to help unload. An address is required to participate.

Please securely cover loads with a tarp or cargo net. Grass, leaves, trash, soil, construction materials and cannabis materials cannot be accepted.

Read more: https://dot.ca.gov/caltrans-near-me/district-1/d1-news/d1-news-release-2026-09-14

Southern Humboldt Fire Safe Council CAL FIRE Humboldt-Del Norte Unit

09/14/2026

09/13/2026

A recent driftwood fire in Crescent City is a good reminder that fire prevention doesn’t stop at the beach.

CAL FIRE Humboldt–Del Norte Unit firefighters from Engines 1265 and 1275 responded alongside Crescent City Fire and Rescue to a driftwood fire along the coast.

Driftwood can continue to burn and smolder long after flames are no longer visible. If fires are permitted where you are visiting, keep them small, never leave them unattended, and make sure they are completely extinguished before you leave.

Drown it. Stir it. Feel it. If it’s too hot to touch, it’s too hot to leave.

Taking a few extra minutes to fully extinguish your fire can help prevent an unnecessary emergency response and keep our beaches and communities safe.

09/13/2026

Big trucks, little visitors, and lots of smiles!

Today, CAL FIRE Humboldt–Del Norte Unit firefighters from the Weott Fire Station brought Engine 1272 out to the Touch-a-Truck event in Rio Dell.

Kids and families had the chance to get an up-close look at the engine, meet our firefighters, and learn a little more about the equipment we use to help protect our communities.

Thank you to everyone who stopped by to say hello and to the event organizers for inviting us to be part of the fun!

09/12/2026

Congratulations to Fire Apparatus Engineer Francis Whitney on successfully completing the CAL FIRE Company Officer Academy (COA) in Ione.

FAE Whitney will join the CAL FIRE Humboldt–Del Norte Unit and serve in Battalion 1 at the Garberville Fire Station.

COA provides newly appointed Fire Apparatus Engineers with the leadership and operational training necessary to serve as company officers and lead personnel during emergency and daily operations.

Congratulations, FAE Whitney, on this achievement, and welcome to HUU!

Also pictured: Battalion Chief Erik Bryant

09/12/2026

Yesterday, CAL FIRE Humboldt–Del Norte Unit firefighters from Klamath Fire Station, Engine 1275, gathered at Alder Camp for a 9/11 memorial workout.

For the crew, the workout was more than a physical challenge. It was a time to reflect on the courage and sacrifice of the firefighters and first responders who answered the call on September 11, 2001—many knowing they were putting their own lives at risk to help others.

In the fire service, we share a bond built on service, teamwork, and the commitment to be there when others need us most. Taking time to remember those who came before us is a reminder of why we serve and the responsibility we carry forward.

We remember. We honor. We will never forget.