Built to Burn? Emergency Access Challenges on Humboldt Hill Released July 30th, 2025

Findings and Recommendations 3 findings

F1

The Humboldt County Civil Grand Jury finds that: Residents of Humboldt Hill have not organized a Fire Safe Council or a Firewise Community to educate themselves and to prepare for possible wildfires or other environmental emergencies therefore leaving themselves vulnerable to potential harm. (R1, R2)

Related Recommendations (3)

R1

The Humboldt No. Fire Protection District Board of Directors direct the Chief of Humboldt Bay Fire to continue to work with residents of Humboldt Hill to develop a local Fire Safe Council. (F1)

R2

The Humboldt No. Fire Protection District Board of Directors direct the Chief of Humboldt Bay Fire to continue to work with residents of Humboldt Hill to develop a local Firewise Community. (F1)

R4

The Humboldt County Board of Supervisors direct the Planning & Building Department Director and relevant staff to expedite the completion of the latest subdivision plan in order to grant emergency access to Humboldt Hill residents. (F3) RESPONSES Pursuant to California Penal Code sections 933 and 933.05, each entity or individual named below must respond to the enumerated Findings and Recommendations within specific statutory guidelines. Responses to Findings shall be either: • The respondent agrees with the finding; or • The respondent disagrees wholly or partially with the finding, in which case the response shall specify the portion of the finding that is disputed and shall include an explanation of the reasons therefor. Responses to Recommendations shall be one of the following: • The recommendation has been implemented, with a summary regarding the implemented action; or • The recommendation has not yet been implemented, but will be implemented in the future, with a time frame for implementation; or • The recommendation requires further analysis, with an explanation and the scope and parameters of an analysis or study, and a time frame for the matter to be prepared for discussion by the officer or head of the agency or department being investigated or reviewed, including the governing body of the public agency where applicable. This time frame shall not exceed six months from the date of the publication of the Grand Jury report; or • The recommendation will not be implemented because it is not warranted or is not reasonable, with an explanation therefor. REQUIRED RESPONSE – WITHIN 90 DAYS The Humboldt County Board of Supervisors (F2, F3) and (R3, R4) The Humboldt No. Fire Protection District Board of Directors (F1) and (R1, R2) Invited Responses The Humboldt County Civil Grand Jury also invites the following entities or individuals to respond. The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) (F1) and (R1, R2) The Humboldt Community Services District (F2) and (R2) Responses are to be sent to: The Honorable Judge Kelly L. Neel Humboldt County Superior Court 825 5th Street, Eureka, CA 95501 The Humboldt County Civil Grand Jury P.O. Box 657 Eureka, CA 95502 A Reports issued by the Grand Jury do not identify individuals interviewed. Penal Code section 929 requires that reports of the Grand Jury not contain the name of any person or facts leading to the identity of any person who provides information to the Grand Jury.

F2

The Humboldt County Civil Grand Jury finds that: There is no secondary emergency evacuation route available to the residents of Humboldt Hill, leaving them open to harm in case of wildfire, earthquake, or other emergencies. (R3)

Related Recommendations (2)

R3

The Humboldt County Board of Supervisors schedule and participate in negotiations with private landowners and/or public utilities in order to grant emergency access to Humboldt Hill residents across their property and/or easements. This will be completed by no later than September 30, 2025. (F2)

R4

The Humboldt County Board of Supervisors direct the Planning & Building Department Director and relevant staff to expedite the completion of the latest subdivision plan in order to grant emergency access to Humboldt Hill residents. (F3) RESPONSES Pursuant to California Penal Code sections 933 and 933.05, each entity or individual named below must respond to the enumerated Findings and Recommendations within specific statutory guidelines. Responses to Findings shall be either: • The respondent agrees with the finding; or • The respondent disagrees wholly or partially with the finding, in which case the response shall specify the portion of the finding that is disputed and shall include an explanation of the reasons therefor. Responses to Recommendations shall be one of the following: • The recommendation has been implemented, with a summary regarding the implemented action; or • The recommendation has not yet been implemented, but will be implemented in the future, with a time frame for implementation; or • The recommendation requires further analysis, with an explanation and the scope and parameters of an analysis or study, and a time frame for the matter to be prepared for discussion by the officer or head of the agency or department being investigated or reviewed, including the governing body of the public agency where applicable. This time frame shall not exceed six months from the date of the publication of the Grand Jury report; or • The recommendation will not be implemented because it is not warranted or is not reasonable, with an explanation therefor. REQUIRED RESPONSE – WITHIN 90 DAYS The Humboldt County Board of Supervisors (F2, F3) and (R3, R4) The Humboldt No. Fire Protection District Board of Directors (F1) and (R1, R2) Invited Responses The Humboldt County Civil Grand Jury also invites the following entities or individuals to respond. The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) (F1) and (R1, R2) The Humboldt Community Services District (F2) and (R2) Responses are to be sent to: The Honorable Judge Kelly L. Neel Humboldt County Superior Court 825 5th Street, Eureka, CA 95501 The Humboldt County Civil Grand Jury P.O. Box 657 Eureka, CA 95502 A Reports issued by the Grand Jury do not identify individuals interviewed. Penal Code section 929 requires that reports of the Grand Jury not contain the name of any person or facts leading to the identity of any person who provides information to the Grand Jury.

F3

The Humboldt County Civil Grand Jury finds that: The latest proposed subdivision on Humboldt Hill includes a secondary access route open to residents in case of emergency. If completed as planned, this would provide improved safety for residents of Humboldt Hill. (R4)

Related Recommendations (1)

R4

The Humboldt County Board of Supervisors direct the Planning & Building Department Director and relevant staff to expedite the completion of the latest subdivision plan in order to grant emergency access to Humboldt Hill residents. (F3) RESPONSES Pursuant to California Penal Code sections 933 and 933.05, each entity or individual named below must respond to the enumerated Findings and Recommendations within specific statutory guidelines. Responses to Findings shall be either: • The respondent agrees with the finding; or • The respondent disagrees wholly or partially with the finding, in which case the response shall specify the portion of the finding that is disputed and shall include an explanation of the reasons therefor. Responses to Recommendations shall be one of the following: • The recommendation has been implemented, with a summary regarding the implemented action; or • The recommendation has not yet been implemented, but will be implemented in the future, with a time frame for implementation; or • The recommendation requires further analysis, with an explanation and the scope and parameters of an analysis or study, and a time frame for the matter to be prepared for discussion by the officer or head of the agency or department being investigated or reviewed, including the governing body of the public agency where applicable. This time frame shall not exceed six months from the date of the publication of the Grand Jury report; or • The recommendation will not be implemented because it is not warranted or is not reasonable, with an explanation therefor. REQUIRED RESPONSE – WITHIN 90 DAYS The Humboldt County Board of Supervisors (F2, F3) and (R3, R4) The Humboldt No. Fire Protection District Board of Directors (F1) and (R1, R2) Invited Responses The Humboldt County Civil Grand Jury also invites the following entities or individuals to respond. The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) (F1) and (R1, R2) The Humboldt Community Services District (F2) and (R2) Responses are to be sent to: The Honorable Judge Kelly L. Neel Humboldt County Superior Court 825 5th Street, Eureka, CA 95501 The Humboldt County Civil Grand Jury P.O. Box 657 Eureka, CA 95502 A Reports issued by the Grand Jury do not identify individuals interviewed. Penal Code section 929 requires that reports of the Grand Jury not contain the name of any person or facts leading to the identity of any person who provides information to the Grand Jury.

Conclusions 1

CL1 Page 6

The wildfire evacuation risks in Humboldt Hill and similar areas with only one road in and out are serious. Citizens need to understand the danger and work together to find solutions. The Grand Jury urges the County to facilitate establishing secondary access. This can be achieved either by using existing utility easements as potential emergency egress roads and/or encouraging the completion of the proposed development at the top of Humboldt Hill. Whether a secondary egress road is built or not, the Grand Jury urges residents to form local Firewise Communities and to enroll in emergency alert systems to improve community preparedness.

No Responses Found 3

Government entities assigned to respond to this report. No response documents have been linked in our database.

Humboldt Community Services District Special District

Humboldt County Board of Supervisors Elected County Office

Humboldt Fire Protection District No. 1 Fire District