Newport Beach and Costa Mesa firefighters were similarly tapped to help out with the Santiago Canyon fires in October.
The Humboldt Fire started Wednesday afternoon and has been fueled by high temperatures and fierce winds, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection. Investigators haven’t determined the cause of the fire and won’t turn their full attention to it until the blaze is better contained, said Mary Ann Aldrich, state forestry and fire protection spokeswoman.
The fire was only 16% contained as of Friday afternoon, Aldrich said.
The Humboldt Fire has burned more than 20,500 acres, destroyed 40 homes and is at risk of destroying another 4,600, officials said. As of Friday afternoon, more than 2,000 firefighters from across the state were in Butte County.
Five firefighters have suffered minor injuries, and one elderly woman died from a pre-existing condition while trying to evacuate, Aldrich said. About 8,000 Paradise residents have been evacuated, she added.
Wednesday and Thursday, the fire was fueled by 90-degree weather and winds up to 40 mph, officials said. The temperatures should reach into the 100s over the weekend but winds should die down, Aldrich said.
The Humboldt Fire doesn’t have a front face because winds in those canyons shift directions throughout the day, making efforts to contain the fire difficult, she said.
Newport-Mesa firefighters could be in Butte County for up to a week, officials said.
JOSEPH SERNA may be reached at (714) 966-4619 or at joseph.serna@latimes.com.
