UPDATE: Caltrans and the Hoopa Fire Department and Office of Emergency Services are reporting that State Route 96 is now reopen, more than an hour before schedule. PREVIOUSLY: Officials are asking travelers to use caution while driving on State Route 96 after its slated reopening today around 3 p.m. The noon pilot car that escorts […]
Medical / Health
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Mill Creek Fire at 74 Percent Containment
The Mill Creek Fire, which has burned nearly 3,700 acres as it enters its second week, is now 74 percent contained. State Route 96 between Weitchpec and Hoopa remains closed to traffic except for escorted trips three times a day, when fire activity allows for safe travel. Meanwhile, air quality is expected to improve in […]
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Air Quality Advisory for Willow Creek, Hoopa, Orleans
An air quality advisory has been issued for Willow Creek, Hoopa and Orleans for unhealthy to very healthy conditions due mainly to the Mill Creek Fire. Humboldt County Cleaner Air Centers currently available are available at the following locations: Hoopa Neighborhood Facility, 11860 State Hwy 96, Hoopa; 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Hoopa Health Association […]
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UPDATE: 6 p.m. Pilot Car Available Today, Travelers Asked to ‘Be on Time’
UPDATE: A pilot car will be available at 6 p.m. today. Those looking to travel the Highway 96 stretch between Weitchpec and Hoopa are asked to: “Be on time and ready to go.” PREVIOUSLY: The Mill Creek Fire interagency management team announced today that the noon pilot car will not be running today between Hoopa […]
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State Route 96 to Reopen for Limited Travel with Pilot Car
State Route 96 will be reopened for limited travel between Hoopa and Weitchpec three times a day beginning Thursday, if fire conditions permit, with one trip north and one trip south. According to a Mill Creek Fire interagency incident management team release, the roadway will be open at 7 a.m., noon and 6 p.m. daily […]
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Mill Creek Fire Grows to More Than 2,000 Acres
Editor’s note: A previous version of the story incorrectly stated the date of the community meeting in Hoopa. The meeting took place Tuesday night. The Mill Creek Fire, burning in the Hoopa Valley south of Weitchpec, continued to grow overnight and now stands at more than 2,000 acres. Orleans, Weitchpec, Hoopa, Willow Creek and Bald […]
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Report Finds Firefighter Killed in Carr Fire Tornado; Smoke Impacts Continue
With wildfires continuing to scorch the West, the resulting smoke is continuing to have an impact on air quality in Humboldt County that ranges from good to unhealthy depending on the area. The deadly Carr Fire to the east has burned nearly 215,000 acres and killed at least eight people, including a Redding firefighter who […]
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Eureka Council Moves Forward With H and I Street Changes, Cannabis Lounges
The Eureka City Council voted last night to move forward with reducing the number of lanes on H and I streets, establishing an advisory committee on needle exchange and directed staff to bring back a proposed ordinance for cannabis lounges. Council members selected the first of three options for creating traffic calming measures on two […]
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Wildfire Smoke Likely to Impact Air Quality
Parts of the North Coast, including Orleans and the Hoopa, Van Duzen and Mad River areas, may experience periods of unhealthy air quality conditions today and this evening due to wildfires. According to the North Coast Unified Air Quality Management District, winds coming from the northwest will help disperse the smoke from the Carr Fire […]
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As Carr Fire Threatens Redding, 299 Remains Closed, Smoke Advisories Issued
The Carr Fire continues to rage in Shasta County and has forced widespread evacuations in Redding. The fire, sparked July 23 by the mechanical failure of a vehicle near State Route 299 and Carr Powerhouse Road in Whiskeytown, now spans more than 44,000 acres and is only 3 percent contained. It has killed two people […]
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Bayer Pulling Controversial Birth Control Device from U.S. Market, Bringing Some Closure to a Local Woman’s Fight
Pharmaceutical giant Bayer announced this week that it will cease U.S. sales of the controversial birth-control implant Essure, which has been linked to a smattering of serious health problems. The Journal reported on the device in a March 5, 2015 cover story (“Living Trials”), which profiled Eureka native Tamara Myers’ experience. Bayer said the move is […]
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Health Officials Issue Blue-Green Algae Warning
Local health officials have issued a warning to watch out for cyanobacteria — more commonly referred to as blue-green algae — in local waterways. Some species of the bacteria can be toxic to humans and animals, with children and dogs the most vulnerable to its harmful effects. The release notes that it is difficult to […]