Cal Fire: Number of fires nearly double that of last year

Cal Fire is reporting that the number of fires it's responded to so far this year across California is nearly twice the number it responded to in the same timeframe in 2011.

In the agency's latest situation report, which can be viewed above, Cal Fire spokesman Daniel Berlant said winter's overall rainfall was well below average, despite a rainy March.

The dry winter is considered a factor in the increase in wildfires. Berlant said that from Jan. 1 through May 29, Cal Fire had responded to 1,375 fires, compared to approximately 700 fires for the same period in 2011.

This year's number of wildfires also is well above the five-year average, Berlant said.

Warmer temperatures are expected throughout the coming week, bringing with them increased fire danger.

Drier conditions also are expected to continue in June, and Berlant said Cal Fire already has begun transitioning its operations for fire season, which usually begins July 1.

Homeowners are urged to protect themselves and their homes by having 100 feet of defensible space around their residences.

For more information on how to be fire safe visit www.readyforwildfire.org .

STATE: Attorney general's bill to combat human trafficking unanimously passes out of state Senate

SACRAMENTO – Attorney General Kamala D. Harris on Tuesday announced that a bill she is sponsoring to ensure that those convicted of human trafficking crimes involving minors will not be able to keep the financial benefits reaped from those crimes unanimously passed out of the state Senate.

"The trafficking of human beings is an unseen problem in California and throughout the country," said Harris. "I am proud to sponsor legislation that will undercut the trafficking of human beings throughout our state."

Senate Bill 1133, authored by Senator Mark Leno (D-San Francisco), ensures that those convicted of human trafficking crimes involving minors will not be able to keep the financial benefits reaped from those crimes.

This bill expands on the current list of assets that the perpetrator must forfeit and provides a formula to redirect those resources to community groups that aid victims of human trafficking. It passed the Senate floor 36 to 0.

"Sex trafficking of minors is a horrendous crime that is driven by the prospect of lucrative profits," said Leno. "This legislation aims to deprive convicted criminals of the financial resources and assets that would allow them to continue luring young people into the sex trade. In turn, proceeds from those forfeitures would rightfully be used to help victims begin to repair their lives."

Human trafficking in California first became a felony in 2005 with the California Human Trafficking Victims Protection Act that Harris co-sponsored when she served as the district attorney of San Francisco.

Harris also has served on the California Alliance to Combat Trafficking and Slavery Task Force and the Department of Justice is currently updating the report "Human Trafficking in California," which was released by the task force in 2007. The updated report is expected to be issued this summer.

The Attorney General is sponsoring a second human trafficking bill this session. Assembly Bill 2466 (Preservation of Assets for Victims of Human Trafficking), by Assemblymember Bob Blumenfield (D-San Fernando Valley) will require that more victims of human trafficking receive restitution.

Under California law, victims are entitled to mandatory restitution; however there are no laws to help prevent human trafficking defendants from liquidating and hiding their assets before conviction.

Assembly Bill 2466 would allow a court to order the preservation of the assets and property by persons charged with human trafficking.

The bill passed the Assembly unanimously earlier this month and is pending in the Senate.

Human trafficking is estimated to be a $32 billion industry, the world's third most profitable criminal enterprise behind drugs and arms trafficking.

Human trafficking involves the recruitment, smuggling, transporting, harboring, buying, or selling of a person for purposes of exploitation, prostitution, domestic servitude, sweatshop labor, migrant work, agricultural labor, peonage, bondage, or involuntary servitude.

While human trafficking often involves the smuggling of human beings across international borders, numerous Americans are trafficked around the United States ever year.

Human trafficking strips people, especially women and children, of their freedom and violates our nation's promise that every person in the United States is guaranteed basic human rights.

For more information, go to the Attorney General's human trafficking Web site at www.oag.ca.gov/human-trafficking .

Tribal chair’s preliminary hearing set for August

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – The preliminary hearing of Robinson Rancheria’s tribal chair – alleged to have embezzled thousands of dollars from another Lake County tribe – has been set for August.

At a hearing last week, an Aug. 1 preliminary hearing date was set for 50-year-old Tracey Avila of Nice, according to Deputy District Attorney Rachel Abelson, the case’s prosecutor.

Avila was arrested last September on a felony charge of grand theft for allegedly taking more than $60,000 from Elem Colony of Clearlake Oaks.

She had worked for Elem as its fiscal officer from February 2006 to September 2008, according to case documents.

Elem conducted its own investigation before contacting federal authorities to request assistance.

Case documents showed that the federal investigation ultimately led to Avila’s arrest last year.

Email Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .