Humboldt Fire 100% Contained Monday Evening

PARADISE — Flames from the Humboldt Fire chewed through 23,344 acres, destroyed 74 homes, and damaged 20 others before it was brought under full containment Monday just after 6 p.m.

Progress against the fire allowed the release of several crews Sunday and Monday, reducing the number of personnel on the fire lines from a high of 2,500 Friday to around 1,000 today.

All roads in and out of the fire area, including Honey Run and Neal roads, are now open without restriction.

The last of nearly a dozen evacuation shelters — for people and pets — closed Sunday and Monday.

Government agencies that geared up last week to support the firefighting effort have now transitioned to a post-recovery mode and will focus on helping residents recover from their losses.

Butte County has established a call center, where individuals can obtain information and referrals on a variety of fire-related questions.

The call center can be reached at 538-6499 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. starting today.

Butte College, which had its outer perimeter singed by flames but suffered no structural damage, will open for summer session classes on Wednesday. It remains closed today.

Crews battled a few hot spots Monday, particularly on Wilder Road near Doe Mill Ridge, but weather conditions are expected to make mop-up of the fire relatively routine.

The only numbers that continue to rise in regard to the Humboldt Fire, and the Ophir Fire before it, are the estimated costs to fight them, and the loss to private and public property.

On Monday afternoon, officials estimated suppression costs for the two fires combined — incidents now termed the 2008 Butte County Firestorm by some — at $11.5 million. Much of that may be covered by state grants approved for the emergency last week. Structural damage, as measured by loss of assessed value of properties, stood at $12.5 million.

Damage to public works facilities, signs, guardrails and bridges was estimated at $60,000, while it was determined that orchards, vineyards and irrigated pastures suffered a loss totaling about $123,000. Environmental cleanup costs have been placed at $3.6 million.

Although officials have only confirmed two pets lost in the fires so far — a llama and a small cat that were burned and had to be euthanized — the toll is expected to climb.

"I've got to be hopeful the count will remain low," said Butte County Animal Control worker Deborah True.

True also noted that all animals temporarily housed at a shelter set up by the North Valley Animal Disaster Group in Chico were claimed by owners before the shelter closed on Sunday night.

North State Rendering offered the same pick up service for livestock and larger wild animals, but said they got no calls. According to Butte County officials, up to 75 animals including cattle, sheep and swine perished in the fire, at a loss of about $40,000.

Officials hadn't learned of any horse deaths as of Monday. Damage done to public land is yet to be assessed.

Officials said the estimates are preliminary, and subject to change.

Arson has been ruled out as a cause of the Ophir Fire, which broke out June 10 near Palermo and was contained two days later. But the Humboldt blaze remains under investigation.

Officials haven't ruled out any possibility in the cause of the Humboldt Fire. Investigators have been working at the origin of the fire daily, and have walked the huge perimeter of the fire, looking for clues.

They are following a few leads, but are also asking the public to call if they have any information about the blaze, or saw anything suspicious around noon last Wednesday. Anonymous tips can be called in to 538-7888.

Source: Chico Enterprise-Record News