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- Written by: LAKE COUNTY NEWS REPORTS
The district office will be open to walk-in traffic Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to noon to allow for paperwork drop off and limited services.
The agency said its district office was closed to walk-in traffic in September due to a staffing shortage.
“The district has not fully resolved our staffing shortage, however we are reopening with limited days and hours,” said Air Pollution Control Officer Doug Gearhart.
Gearhart advised the community that intermittent office closures may occur during these times due to ongoing staffing shortage. Appointments are still recommended to ensure staff is available to assist members of the public. The district asks that the public call its office to schedule an appointment.
Burn permits are required for all outdoor burning in the Lake County Air Basin. Residential and agricultural burn permits can be obtained online at www.lcaqmd.net or by appointment at the district office.
A smoke management plan burn permit is required for multi-day burns, overnight burns, standing vegetation burns, whole tree or vine removal, burns over 20 acres in one day, and any other burn where significant smoke impacts may occur or sensitive receptors may be impacted and can be obtained at the district office. Appointments are required for smoke management plans.
Requests for county or city building and demolition permit sign-offs can be submitted in person at the district office or to its general email at
Additionally, a drop box is generally available Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the district office if you wish to drop off documents.
To obtain applications, forms and more information visit www.lcaqmd.net.
“We appreciate your support during this difficult time,” Gearhart said.
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- Written by: LAKE COUNTY NEWS REPORTS
The Golden State and the entire West are burning at historic rates. Eight of the most destructive wildfires in California history have hit this state over the past five years, with two of the deadliest wildfires recently burning over 16,000 homes and businesses in Los Angeles County just 13 days after Christmas.
State officials said this escalating crisis has stretched firefighters dangerously thin. The threats to their health and safety along with the threats to local communities have never been greater.
The Fight for Firefighters Act proposes a desperately-needed modern day staffing plan, at the cost of $175-185 million per year ongoing, to include the following:
• The state would phase out seasonal Cal Fire firefighters who work nine months out the year - typically laid off during the winter months - and transition these 3,000 firefighters to full-time status.
• All 356 Cal Fire fire engines would be fully operational 365 days per year. This would give every corner of this state a needed shot in the arm when it comes to fire and emergency response.
• All of Cal Fire’s 38 vegetation management crews would be fully operational all throughout the year.
• These vegetation management crews focus on fire prevention and develop fire breaks around neighborhoods, remove dead and dying trees, and create defensible space in the cities and towns we love.
• The Fight for Firefighters Act will also ensure all Cal Fire helicopter bases are fully staffed year round.
As firefighters continue to battle longer, hotter, and more extreme fire seasons, they continue to face some of the most severe mental health challenges in the state. Injuries, fatigue, stress, and long-hours have resulted in severe burnout. Coupled with strenuous working conditions, firefighters have been pushed to the brink. In the past six years, over 57,000 calls have been made to the state’s mental health hotline.
The Fight for Firefighters Act is a tactical, commonsense approach to get more boots on the ground and to make sure the people in those boots have the backup and support they need to protect this state.
“More aggressive fires, and an unrelenting year-round wildfire season, demands more aggressive responses,” said Pro Tem McGuire. “Wildfires don’t take three months off. So the elite Cal Fire firefighting force that is our first and last defense in protecting lives and homes across the state should be year-round too. This investment will make communities more wildfire safe and greatly improve fire and emergency response in every corner of California.”
“Ask any firefighter: Fires have changed. Fire season has changed,” said Tim Edwards, President of Cal Fire Local 2881. “What hasn’t changed is the commitment and bravery of our firefighters. When firefighters are on the job, that’s all they’re focused on. If it were up to them they wouldn’t stop. But pushing our firefighters past the breaking point doesn’t do them, their families, or our communities any good. Fires don’t respect calendars. We need to respect and protect our firefighters by making sure we have enough to do the job safely year round.”
“We know the risks for firefighters don’t end when the embers go out,” said Battalion Chief Elizabeth Brown. “There are ongoing physical and mental health challenges that affect firefighters long after they respond to a disaster. The longer fire crews go without any relief, the greater the potential for long term harm. Having more firefighters available provides relief and takes some of the pressure off. The year-round firefighters this bill provides will not only be able to support communities in times of disaster, but will also have the backs of their fellow firefighters as well.”
“The grueling work of fighting these devastating wildfires takes a toll on physical and mental health, in ways we don’t yet entirely understand,” said Senator Tim Grayson (D-Concord), a joint-author of the bill. “In 2017, the year of the deadly Tubbs Fire, more firefighters died by suicide than on the front lines. This is an alarm bell and the State Senate is answering the call by moving this critical bill forward. Our firefighters need the training, rest, and resources to be ready to respond to emergencies 12-months a year, every year. It’s California’s life that’s on the line.”
“The Palisades and Eaton Fires have razed entire neighborhoods to the ground,” said Senate Minority Leader Brian Jones (R-San Diego). “When fires tear through homes, they don’t discriminate — and neither do the firefighters who put themselves in harm’s way to keep us safe. From battling wildfires to responding to emergency calls, we owe the brave men and women of Cal Fire our highest debt of gratitude. We have much more work to do, but this bill is a critical first step to giving our firefighters the job stability and support they need and deserve.”
“The level of devastation in Altadena is truly hard to understand until you see it. Tragically, 17 people lost their lives, and thousands more suffered trauma and destruction. Throughout it all, our brave first responders faced unimaginable conditions to protect lives, homes, businesses, churches, and schools across Los Angeles. However, resources were spread thin across Los Angeles County as our firefighters battled multiple mega fires simultaneously,” said Senator Sasha Renée Pérez (D-Pasadena). “January has highlighted a new reality of climate change, one that demands we fully prepare for year-round, climate-driven disasters, making legislation for increased staffing levels essential. Firefighters are experiencing these staffing shortages firsthand and need additional personnel to ensure they can respond effectively to disasters wherever they occur. I’m grateful to Pro Tem McGuire for advancing legislation that will strengthen our firefighter ranks and ensure California is better equipped to prevent and respond to the next disaster.”
“There is so much loss and pain in my community right now,” said Senator Ben Allen (D-Santa Monica). “As we start to rebuild, we want to lower the chances of this kind of horrific disaster from devastating another community again. One way to do that means more boots on the ground when the next fire starts. Firefighters are heroes but not machines who can work back-to-back 24 and 36 hour shifts; they need rest, medical attention and relief. Pro Tem McGuire’s legislation will grow our ranks by 3,000 highly-skilled, full-time firefighters, ready to go 24/7and 365 days a year.”
“My heart goes out to the countless Angelenos whose lives have been forever changed from the devastating wildfires in Southern California,” said Senator Monique Limón (D-Santa Barbara). “The firefighters responding to this historic disaster have been pushed to the brink defending our communities and saving lives. We’ve seen firsthand the challenging conditions throughout our state that firefighters are facing on the ground. It’s time they have the security and support they need to keep us safe. As we continue to experience year-round, deadly fires it is critical that our firefighting force has what it needs to address the ongoing challenges of extreme weather conditions.”
Sen. McGuire, whose district includes Lake County, has long championed legislation to protect and uplift California’s firefighters, including supporting historic investments to:
• In the last eight years, double the number of Cal Fire firefighters from 6,700 to 12,000 today.
• Made massive investments in new Cal Fire fire engines.
• Built out the largest civil aerial firefighting fleet in the world.
• Invested over $4 billion in vegetation management projects in recent years.
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- Written by: LAKE COUNTY NEWS REPORTS
The Improving Atmospheric River Forecasts Act would require the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, or NOAA, to establish a forecast improvement program within the National Weather Service.
The legislation was announced as major atmospheric river storms bring high winds and heavy rain and snowfall to California.
Atmospheric rivers — often described as “rivers in the sky” that are hundreds of miles wide and can carry water vapor equivalent to multiple Mississippi Rivers — cause more than 80 percent of flood damage across the West.
Climate change will only make these storms increasingly catastrophic: by 2090, atmospheric rivers are expected to cost $2.3 to $3.2 billion in annual damages and increase in width by nearly 25 percent.
Over 50 atmospheric rivers made landfall across the West Coast from Oct. 1, 2023, to Sept. 30, 2024.
“For the past several years, California communities have witnessed firsthand the ongoing threat of destructive flooding caused by increasingly intense and frequent atmospheric river storms,” said Sen. Padilla. “California has led the way in improving our understanding of these storms, and this bipartisan bill will strengthen forecasts to reduce flood risks while bolstering our water supply and drought resilience.”
“With greater frequency, we are seeing that atmospheric rivers instill dangerous climate conditions that pose deadly threats to Alaska communities,” said Sen. Murkowski. “While there are numerous atmospheric river observatories in the Lower 48, none are in Alaska. This bill ensures that all states along the West coast, including Alaska, have at least one atmospheric river observatory. Along with improved modeling, data collection, and risk communication, this legislation will help protect our communities and ultimately save lives across Alaska.”
“Atmospheric rivers are responsible for 30-50% of annual precipitation along the western U.S. and cause the majority of the flooding, with more than $1 billion in annual average flood damage in the western 11 states,” said Marty Ralph, founding director of the Center for Western Weather and Water Extremes at UC San Diego’s Scripps Institution of Oceanography. “The introduction of this act is critically important to advance forecasts of atmospheric rivers to enable more flexible and resilient water management, improved warning around flooding and overall improvements to public safety. It will also enhance the opportunities for reservoir operators to safely implement Forecast-Informed Reservoir Operations at more reservoirs to save additional water after a storm for the dry summer, or release it to mitigate flood risk if an AR storm is predicted in the next few days.”
Specifically, the Improving Atmospheric River Forecasts Act would direct NOAA to establish a standalone atmospheric river forecast improvement program that would:
• Develop accurate, effective, and actionable storm forecasts and warnings in collaboration with public and private partners across the weather forecasting sectors;
• Evaluate innovative observation tools and emerging technologies to improve atmospheric river analysis, modeling, forecasts, and warnings;
• Authorize NOAA to procure equipment, aircraft, and personnel contracts to fully monitor atmospheric river events each winter; and
• Improve atmospheric river hazard communication.
The Improving Atmospheric River Forecasts Act is endorsed by the Association of California Water Agencies, Bay Planning Coalition, Central Valley Flood Protection Board, Contra Costa Water District, Covington Water District, Irvine Ranch Water District, Kings River Conservation District, the National Association of Flood and Stormwater Management Agencies, Orange County Water District, Pajaro Regional Flood Management Agency, San Bernardino Valley Municipal Water District, Sacramento Area Flood Control Agency, San Diego County Water Authority, San Mateo County Flood and Sea Level Rise Resiliency District, Santa Clarita Valley Water Agency, Scripps Institution of Oceanography, San Francisco Public Utilities Commission, Sofar Ocean Technologies, Solano County Water Agency, Sonoma Water, Union Sanitary District, Valley Water, WindBorne Systems and Yuba Water.
Sen. Padilla has prioritized working with California communities devastated by atmospheric river flooding. Last year, Padilla urged the Biden Administration to prioritize sustained federal investment in the Pajaro River Flood Risk Management Project to protect disadvantaged communities along the central coast of California. Padilla also introduced the Atmospheric Rivers Reconnaissance, Observation and Warning Act to bolster West Coast atmospheric river forecasting, which was passed into law as part of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2024.
Padilla has also championed funding for programs such as the Forecast-Informed Reservoir Operations to improve U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reservoir operations to increase water conservation and reliability at Lake Sonoma and Prado Dam, for example, while maintaining flood control and enhanced public safety during extreme precipitation events.
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- Written by: Elizabeth Larson
The agency’s Eureka office announced the action shortly before 2:30 p.m. Tuesday.
Lake County residents have been told to expect minor flooding of small streams in low lying and poor-drainage areas and rock and mudslides as moderate to heavy rain continues this afternoon. The public also is urged not to drive through flooded roads.
That advisory, in effect until 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, built on a flood watch and advisory issued earlier for Lake County. The flood watch remains in effect until 8 p.m. Tuesday.
The National Weather Service reported that at 1:25 p.m. Tuesday Doppler radar and automated rain gauges had indicated heavy rain, with minor flooding ongoing or expected to begin in the advisory area. Between 2 and 4 inches of rain had fallen at that point, with another one inch expected.
The rain is the result of a prolonged atmospheric river event that the National Weather Service said will continue to bring moderate to heavy rain in northern and central California and heavy mountain snow in the Sierras, southern Cascades and northern Rockies through Wednesday.
About an hour before the flood advisory was extended, the city of Lakeport reported that Martin Street was closed due to flooding at Estep Street, with the public asked to follow the detour signs that Public Works had set up.
The city of Clearlake also reported on Tuesday that it had limited sandbag supply available immediately at its Public Works corporation yard at 6820 Old Highway 53.
The California Highway Patrol reported that there was roadway flooding at Highway 29 and Highway 53 on Tuesday afternoon, a mudslide on Highway 20 near Saratoga Springs near Upper Lake that took out a telephone pole and a mudslide just across the fog line on Highway 29 at Cruikshank Road in Kelseyville, and the unpaved portion of Highland Springs Road near Lakeport is flooded.
The Lake County Public Works Department reported on Tuesday afternoon that Mesa Drive in Clearlake Oaks from Stubbs Road to 1,000 feet up from Lakeview Drive was closed due to a landslide.
In Hidden Valley Lake, Spruce Grove Road Extension is closed near USS Liberty Lane (Quarry Road) due to a road slipout.
In Kelseyville, Bell Hill Road is closed at the low water crossing due to water across the roadway. Likewise, in Middletown, the seasonal closure at the lower water crossing on Dry Creek Cutoff Road is in effect.
In Lakeport, Scotts Valley Road is closed from Hendricks Road to the fruit exchange due to roadway flooding.
Rainfall totals in inches for the 72-hour period ending at 3.15 p.m. Tuesday are as follows:
— Hidden Valley Lake: 5.47.
— High Glade Lookout (above Upper Lake): 2.71.
— Kelseyville: 4.32.
— Knoxville Creek: 4.27.
— Lake Pillsbury: 7.72.
— Lower Lake: 3.13.
— Lyons Valley: 3.62.
— Middletown: 7.02.
— Nice: 3.01.
— Whispering Pines: 6.68.
The U.S. Geological Survey’s gauge on Clear Lake shows that the lake’s level, which was just over 6 feet on the Rumsey gauge — the special measure for Clear Lake — on Jan. 31, and by Tuesday afternoon had risen to 6.87 feet Rumsey. The lake is considered full at 7.56 feet Rumsey.
Email Elizabeth Larson at
