UPDATE:
Forward progress has been stopped on the Red Fire as of about 2:25 p.m., according to Cal Fire Battalion Chief Paul Savanna.

PREVIOUSLY:
A fire is burning on the mountain across the South Fork of the Eel River from Redway in Southern Humboldt. Readers report that they first saw smoke before 11:30 a.m.

Cal Fire Battalion Chief Paul Savonna said at 12:10 p.m. that “the Red Fire is currently a quarter-acre in size.”

“It is difficult to access,” he continued, adding that multiple agencies are responding but have none have reached the blaze yet.

The cause of the fire is currently unknown but Savonna pointed out that there have been multiple debris burns and burn piles that have escaped recently and asked everyone to be careful.

“We don’t currently have Red Flag warnings here but today is a ‘no burn” day,” he said. “Tomorrow is a ‘no burn’ day. Please verify status before starting to burn. The conditions are favorable for quick fire spread. We do have five engines and some hand crews out of County … We are being augmented with local fire resources.”
He added, “We are going to provide the best level of service as always, but please be careful.”

The fire is breaking out as a blaze down in Butte County is spreading rapidly, prompting evacuation orders and requests for outside resources.

Editor's note: A version of this report first appeared on www.kymkemp.com and is reposted here with permission.