LAKEPORT, Calif. – On Tuesday the Board of Supervisors unanimously approved continuing emergency proclamations related to the wildland fires, and got an update on the Clayton fire cleanup.

The separate proclamations were taken to the board by Sheriff Brian Martin and Lake County Public Health Officer Dr. Karen Tait.

The local emergency proclamations must be regularly continued, based on state law requirements.

“As the County seeks funding and performs recovery operations related to tree removal and other fire recovery projects for the Rocky, Jerusalem, and Valley Fires, it is advisable that we continue the declaration of an emergency to support the fire recovery process,” Martin said in his memorandum to the board.

Tait was accompanied to the board meeting by Environmental Health Director Ray Ruminski, whose department oversees the cleanup effort for the wildland fires.

Ruminski gave the board a status update on the signups on the CalRecycle-sponsored cleanup program.

An estimated 300 structures – of which approximately 203 were residences – were destroyed in the August Clayton fire, according to a county damage assessments.

Ruminski estimated that 136 properties have registered for the CalRecycle program, which has been in its preliminary phase for the last few weeks.

Actual debris removal with heavy equipment crews on site is set to start on Wednesday, “barring any more frustrating delays,” Ruminski said.

Ruminski said the cleanup is starting in a few places around the school in the old part of Lower Lake, as well as several sites in the Copsey Creek Ranch Subdivision along where Copsey Creek comes through town – basically, creek frontage lots.

He said surveying locations of streams around Lower Lake took place last Friday afternoon as well as on Monday afternoon.

“So far the rainfall we've had is not really putting any significant flow into the streams. The ash and debris is not running off of the lots at this time,” he said.

The conditions are not too muddy, and the rainfall has actually been of benefit for dust control, Ruminski said.

As for cleanups taking place by private contractors, Ruminski said 35 sites are registered and 11 already have been completed.

“So we're getting there,” said Board Chair Rob Brown.

Supervisor Jim Comstock estimated there are still about 20 properties whose owners the county hasn't yet heard from, a number Ruminski confirmed.

“We're still doing outreach and we're still accepting signups on the CalRecycle program at this time,” Ruminski added.

Following the vote to continue the proclamation made by Tait, Comstock thanked Ruminski for his work. “It's a monumental effort and you're doing an outstanding job.”

While the original deadline passed for property owners to be included in CalRecycle's cleanup program, Ruminski said his agency still wants to get as many properties signed up for the cleanup work as possible and so property owners may continue to apply.

To sign up for the cleanup program, download the right-of-entry paperwork at http://www.co.lake.ca.us/Government/Directory/Environmental_Health/Clayton__Valley__Rocky_and_Jerusalem_Fires.htm or http://www.lakecountyrecovers.com/ .

Paperwork also is available at Lake County Environmental Health, 922 Bevins Court in Lakeport, or by stopping by the operations center office at the former Lower Lake bank building, 16195 Main St.

For more information call Lake County Environmental Health at 707-263-1164.

Email Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . Follow her on Twitter, @ERLarson, or Lake County News, @LakeCoNews.