Humboldt County Strike Team at the Pawnee Fire

Brandon Harlander refills the Humboldt Bay Fire Truck.
A successful back burn stopped the progress of the fire, saving these grapes on the Cache Creek Winery.
Crews from the strike team light a backfire to keep the Pawnee Fire from burning through the area. The team uses these flames to consume the fuel before the wildfire gets to the area.
Fire breaks over a ridge just North of the Cache Creek Winery.
The team members Marty Wansink, Aurora Studebaker, and Kai Ostrow.
When the strike team gets on site, Battalion Chief Kent Hulbert of Humboldt Bay Fire, tells the crew from Briceland the plan for the day.
The strike team from Humboldt County which includes firefighters from Arcata Fire, Blue Lake Fire, Humboldt Bay Fire, Miranda Volunteer Fire and Briceland Volunteer Fire departments, get instructions from Battalion Chief Kent Hulbert.
After they get their assignments, the start looking for the Double Eagle subdivision on the map. Kai Ostrow and Aurora Studebaker from Briceland Fire in front and Humboldt Bay Fire Battalion Chief Kent Hulbert in the back.
The Humboldt County Strike team starts by checking the fire map at the morning briefing. From left to right: Miranda Chief Robert Richardson and Briceland Firefighters Kai Ostrow and Aurora Studebaker.
Chris Mitchell, left, and Arly Allen watch the progress of the fire as it slowly burns towards a private road on the Cache Creek Winery.

Summer of Fun 2026