Shelter Cove Fire Department

07/30/2025

Shelter Cove Fire Department just confirmed with HCSO OES that as of 9 PM Shelter Cove is not under a Tsunami Warning no need to evacuate unless the US National Weather Service Eureka California upgrades our area from an advisory to a warning. If we are upgraded to a warning we will activate the Tsunami Sirens and open the Tsunami Shelter at the Shelter Cove Fire Station. The phone alerts were meant for the Crescent City low lying areas. Please share this!

08/06/2024

Please share this!!
Help keep our community fire safe!!!!
The fire department secured funding to create defendable space around every home and business in Shelter Cove, but we need help to get everyone signed up and all the structures assessed. There is no catch!!!
🌲🔥 Sign up to have 100 feet of defensible space around your home or property 100% free!!!!! No catch every home or business is eligible. This is a onetime program provided by the Shelter Cove Fire Department in partnership with the RID #1, Trees Foundation, and funded by the USDA. 🔥🌲
Follow this online sign-up link: https://arcg.is/rjfv0
You can also stop by the RID office or fire station to grab a sign-up form!
The Shelter Cove Wildfire Resiliency and Community Defense Project is underway! In the first phase, trained technicians—who are also our local volunteer firefighters with expertise in fire behavior—are conducting Home Risk Assessments for homes in the Shelter Cove community. 🏠
These assessments offer a valuable opportunity to strategize how to protect your home from wildfire. Plus, we’re excited to offer FREE fuel reduction work to every Shelter Cove resident through this grant program! That’s right—FREE work from qualified contractors to help safeguard your property!
Don’t miss out on this incredible opportunity to enhance your home’s wildfire resilience. Sign up now and be part of our community’s efforts to stay safe and prepared! 💪

A sign-up form for residents to coordinate a Home Risk Assessment and Defensible Space Treatment.

07/02/2024

Public Service Announcement from Shelter Cove Fire Department

Attention residents and visitors of Shelter Cove,

As we approach the 4th of July holiday, it is crucial to address the significant fire danger in our area. Shelter Cove is currently experiencing abnormally dry conditions with an abundance of light, flashy fuels that can ignite easily. Additionally, forecasted high winds this week increase the risk of fires spreading rapidly.
Due to the history of fires during this holiday, Shelter Cove Fire Department prepositions additional resources including fire and law enforcement across the community and enforces a zero-tolerance policy for the use of any fireworks outside designated areas.

Fireworks used outside this location will be seized and tickets may be issued. The only locations where fireworks are permitted are:

The marina beach and boat ramp at the southern end of Shelter Cove

The Family Safe and Sane Firework Area at the Shelter Cove Community Clubhouse

Please note that only Safe and Sane fireworks are legal and approved for use within Shelter Cove. We ask that all visitors respect our community by using good judgment, picking up trash, and calling 911 in the event of a fire or other emergencies.
While enjoying our beautiful area, remember that in the event of a fire, it is imperative to stay away from the affected area, evacuate if you see flames or feel threatened, and allow our firefighters to perform their duties safely and efficiently.

Thank you for your cooperation and understanding. Let’s work together to ensure a safe and enjoyable 4th of July for everyone.

Stay safe,

Nick Pape
Fire Chief
Shelter Cove Fire Department

05/17/2024

The Shelter Cove Fire Department, part of the Resort Improvement District No. 1, is proud to announce the commencement of a critical wildfire evacuation route improvement project phase 2, funded by a $960,000 grant from the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection’s Wildfire Prevention Program, as part of the California Climate Investments Program.
Over the next six months, professional arborists will enhance safety on 35 miles of key evacuation routes, including Shelter Cove Road, Briceland Thorn Road, and Chemise Mountain Road. These improvements will involve the removal of overhanging limbs, brush, and other potential hazardous vegetation, ensuring clearer, safer pathways for residents during a wildfire emergency. No mature or healthy trees will be removed!
During this period, travelers should anticipate 5–15-minute delays as crews perform the necessary safety enhancements. These temporary inconveniences are vital for the long-term safety and resilience of our community.
This project underscores our commitment to protecting not just Shelter Cove and its residents but the larger Southern Humboldt community and its first responders from the ever-increasing threat of wildfires. We appreciate your patience and understanding as we undertake these essential improvements.

05/10/2024

Please join the Shelter Cove Fire Department, RID #1, and SC CERT by participating in our annual wildfire evacuation drill! The fire department will be activating the community notification sirens and have emergency vehicles driving around with the Hi-Lo wildfire evacuation tone at 5PM on May 11th. If you hear the sirens let us know on social media or email! You can also practice evacuating to the Community Center where the CERT team will be hosting a wildfire preparedness open house with updates on both of SCFD’s community wildfire grants and Bingo Night!!

Free Chili dogs, Hot dogs, Veggie dogs, and Chips provided by SC CERT!

Beer, Wine, and Soft Drinks will be sold by Shelter Cove Pioneers!

02/04/2024

Please stay home and off the roads! Shelter Cove is currently experiencing a dangerous wind event. Machi Rd is completely closed and Toth Rd is closed at 975 Toth Rd. Firefighters will try and keep as many roads open as possible for emergency access, however there are many trees that are unstable and coming down.

The winds are expected to increase throughout the afternoon and evening. Please Stay Home!

01/29/2024

If you need to travel do it tomorrow before the next storm hits!

Shelter Cove could see some hazardous winds with this storm. Please stay off the roads if you can and never drive over down trees or power lines. SCFD will have increased staffing ready to respond throughout the storm!

09/08/2023

Members of the Shelter Cove Fire Department returned from a 15 day Office of Emergency Services (OES) mutual aid assignment helping our neighbors in the Orleans and Somes Bar area with the SRF Lighting Complex Fires. Fire engines from Shelter Cove, Briceland, Redwood Valley, Humboldt Bay Fire, and Fortuna spent the 15 day assignment preparing structures in case the fire made it to Orleans and Somes Bar. This is the first OES assignment the SCFD has accepted and we could not be more proud of the work that all the members of Strike Team XHU-2075C did for our neighbors to the northeast. The department is excited to finally have the resources to be part of one of the worlds largest and most comprehensive emergency mutual aid system. The relationships and experience members received while on assignment will prove invaluable when we have emergencies in our own community. Fire season is still in full swing so please make sure your home is ready for wildfire. Please visit the SCFD Firewise website for more information.

https://sheltercove-ca.gov/fire-dept/firewise/

07/08/2023

Today at approximately 12:38 Shelter Cove Fire received reports of a small plane crash in the ocean with peole in the water north of the Shelter Cove Airport. The Shelter Cove Fire Duty Officer and rescue swimmer immediately responded to the scene and located wreckage and two victims in the water approximately 80 and 200 yards offshore of Little Black Sands Beach. The Shelter Cove Duty Officer gave the updated location and that one victim had made it to the beach to all incoming units before changing into a wetsuit and paddling out to the second patient. At the same time Shelter Cove Fire also launched Ocean Rescue Ski 1 & 2 along with an amphibious rescue boat. Luckily Ski 1 and the rescue swimmer arrived at the victim just as they no longer had the ability to swim and were able to pull them from the ocean and bring them to the rescue boat for patient assessment and safe transport back to the marina. Both patient were flown to local hospitals in stable condition with moderate injuries. Shelter Cove Fire would like to thank all of the witnesses who quickly called 911 allowing us to rescue the victims in a timely manner and to all of our emergency services partners including USCG Sector Humboldt Bay, HCSO, Cal Fire, BLM Fire, And City Ambulance.