LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – The Lake County Board of Supervisors will host an emergency meeting on Tuesday morning to discuss the Mendocino Complex.
The meeting will take place beginning at 9 a.m. Tuesday, July 31, in the Clearlake City Council Chambers at City Hall, 14050 Olympic Drive.
At this meeting, the board will ratify Sheriff Brian Martin’s local emergency declaration.
Additionally, staff from all agencies cooperating to respond to the Mendocino Complex wildfires will be on hand, to provide the public a comprehensive update.
The meeting will be streamed live on Facebook, https://www.facebook.com/lakecountycagov/. County officials will monitor and respond to questions posted to Facebook during the meeting. Lake County PEG TV, Mediacom Channel 8 also will broadcast the meeting live.
“I had the opportunity to tour the burn area this morning, and the work first responders have done thus far to contain these wildfires has been astounding,” said District 4 Supervisor Tina Scott said Monday. “With limited resources, crews have fought tirelessly to limit the damage, and there have been many successes. Our hearts remain with those responding to the disaster and the many evacuees.”
From left, Travis Scott Jones, 25, of Lakeport, Calif.; Jordan Bowyer, age unknown, city of residence unknown; and Tacoma Elliott, 40, both of Lakeport, Calif., were arrested this week after being found in the mandatory evacuation area in Lakeport, Calif. Photos courtesy of the Lakeport Police Department. *** This article has been updated: According to Lakeport Police Chief Brad Rassmussen the individual identified as Brandon Leon Bowyer, 21, residence unknown was not arrested. The individual who was arrested is Jordan Bowyer. "He provided a false name, his last name is the same but he provided a false first name and age," said Cheif Rassmussen. Rassmussen suspects Jordan Bowyer provided false information because Bowyer has warrants out of Riverside County for property and vehicle theft. ***
LAKEPORT, Calif. – Police officers have taken three more men into custody after finding them in the mandatory evacuation area in Lakeport.
Jordan Bowyer age unknown, city of residence unknown, was arrested on Sunday, while Travis Scott Jones, 25, and Tacoma Elliott, 40, both of Lakeport, were separately taken into custody on Monday, according to the Lakeport Police Department.
These latest actions by police brings the number of arrests in the Lakeport evacuation area to five.
The department said that at 11:30 a.m. Sunday Lakeport Police officers found Bowyer on foot in the area of 16th Street and Hartley Road.
When officers contacted him, Bowyer could not provide any reason as to what he was doing or why he was in the area. After further investigation it was determined Bowyer did not live in the area and could not provide a reason for being in a evacuated area, police said.
Bowyer was placed under arrest for unauthorized entry into a closed emergency area. During a search of Bowyer, police said he was found to be in possession of methamphetamine as well as being under the influence of methamphetamine.
He was transported to jail where he was booked without incident, Bowyer said.
At 12:30 a.m. Monday, on-duty Lakeport Public Works staff notified Lakeport Police officers of a suspicious person with a backpack riding a bicycle in downtown Lakeport. Officers located the subject, identified as Elliott, in the area of Museum Park and inquired what he was doing.
Police said Elliott told officers he was trying to get some cigarettes but failed to notice the road closures and barricades that he rode through on his bike. The officers discovered Elliott's backpack was empty, leading them to believe he was in the area for reasons other than buying cigarettes.
Elliott was placed under arrest for unauthorized entry into a closed emergency area and transported to jail, authorities said.
Then, at 6 a.m. Monday, Lakeport Officers located a pickup truck in Lakeport near Clearlake Avenue and North High Street driven by Jones.
Police said Jones could not provide a lawful reason for being in the area and in fact admitted he came from outside Lakeport and drove past barricade closures to to enter Lakeport.
Jones was arrested for entering and remaining in a closed disaster area. During a search incident to arrest, tools believed to be possessed for the purpose of burglary were located and seized. He was also charged with possession of burglary tools and booked into jail, according to police.
The Lakeport Police Department said it’s working jointly with the Lake County Sheriff’s Office the Lake County Office of Emergency Services and other allied agencies to protect the evacuated area.
“We want the community to know that we will absolutely not tolerate this type of behavior,” the department said in a written statement. “We are committed to protecting the safety of our residents, businesses and their property while our communities remain evacuated and we will be aggressive in these efforts.”
The agency said any unauthorized person who willfully and knowingly enters a disaster area and who willfully remains within the area after receiving notice to evacuate or leave shall be guilty of a misdemeanor.
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Local officials are offering guidance on how to offer assistance to those most seriously impacted by the Mendocino Complex, made up of the Ranch and River fires which began last week.
While crews continue to battle the Mendocino Complex fires on multiple fronts, county officials offered their sincerest thanks to the many first responders from around the state who have gathered to assist.
“The response of emergency personnel and Lake County residents has once again been remarkable,” said County Administrative Officer Carol Huchingson. “There is still much to be done, efforts are ongoing to stabilize the Mendocino Complex fires, and safeguard residents’ property. We ask that you please continue to prioritize monitoring official communications from the Lake County Sheriff’s Office, via Nixle, and Cal Fire.”
With thousands of residents evacuated from their homes, the county has received requests for information on the most effective way to make donations to assist Mendocino Complex survivors and their families.
Cash donations are most helpful at this time, the county said. Such donations allow those supporting disaster relief efforts to direct assistance where it is most needed.
The county is unable to accept in-kind donations, such as clothing, household goods and other supplies. In-kind donations require significant time and financial resources to distribute.
If someone close to you needs clothing or other everyday items, please provide them directly, if you can. If you are able to help the broader disaster response and relief effort, cash is best.
LAKEPORT, Calif. – It is with deep regret and concern for the public during this period of fires and evacuations that the ninth annual Grillin' on the Green barbecue cook-off in Westside Community Park scheduled for Saturday, August 4, has been cancelled.
There is no plan to reschedule the fundraising event which supports development of the park located on the west side of Lakeport.
Cindy Ustrud, chair of the Grillin' Committee, and Dennis Rollins, chair of the Westside Community Park Committee, jointly announced the decision Tuesday to provide grillers and their teams advance notice that the event will not occur.
The Park Committee and the Grillin' Committee members express their gratitude to the community for its understanding.
Sponsors and other donors are thanked for their support this year and in the past.
Development activities at the park are ongoing and interested volunteers are invited to contact Rollins at 707-349-0969.
CLEARLAKE, Calif. – Due to the Mendocino Complex fires, the Clearlake State of the City event scheduled for Wednesday, Aug. 1, will be postponed until a future date to be determined.
“While I hate to have to reschedule our State of the City event, with the River Fire and the Ranch Fire threatening our friends and neighbors in Lakeport and Lake County we need to put our time and resources toward helping out,” said City Manager Greg Folsom.
“We will reschedule as soon as we have resolution on these fires,” Folsom added.
The thick smoke over much of Northern California seen here on Monday, July 30, 2018, is due to wildland fires. The red area at the top of the image is the Carr fire near Redding in Shasta County, Calif., with the red dots at the bottom the Ranch and River fires, part of the Mendocino Complex in Mendocino and Lake counties. Satellite image courtesy of NASA.
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – The Lake County Air Quality Management District said the Mendocino Complex is continuing to negatively impact local air quality, with the heavy smoke making conditions unhealthy for most and even hazardous for others.
The Ranch and River fires, burning since Friday, led to the “very unhealthy” to “hazardous” air quality alert, according to Air Pollution Control Officer Doug Gearhart.
Gearhart said the current particulate levels in Lake County are in the range from “unhealthy” to “hazardous” throughout Lake County.
The unhealthy to hazardous levels of smoke are expected to continue through Tuesday. All areas may experience very unhealthy to hazardous air quality, and individuals should take precautions, Gearhart said.
With air quality forecast to be in the unhealthy to hazardous range, people are recommended to use caution, avoid strenuous activity, avoid outdoor activities, reduce other sources of air pollution – such as smoking, use of aerosol products, frying or broiling meats, burning candles, vacuuming, etc. – and be prepared for rapidly changing conditions.
Localized areas in the higher levels of hazardous air quality can be expected for the several days, until the local fires are partially contained and the weather pattern shifts to clear the smoke, Gearhart said.
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – The Mendocino Complex continued to grow steadily on Monday, whipped by winds through steep terrain that challenged firefighting forces both on the ground and in the air, while local officials called special meetings to approve fire emergency declarations.
On Monday evening Cal Fire said the complex, composed of the Ranch and River fires, has burned 68,487 acres and is 5 percent contained. That was an increase of nearly 13,000 acres since Monday morning.
The Ranch fire is now nearly double the size of the River fire, having burned 45,076 acres. It’s 5-percent contained, as is the River fire, now at 23,411 acres.
Cal Fire said the complex continues to burn aggressively when in alignment with wind – reported to be in the mid 20s on Monday evening – along with fuel and topography. Firefighters also are being challenged by long distance spotting.
Weather conditions will continue to challenge firefighters as hot, dry and windy conditions persist, Cal Fire said.
Resources increased on the complex on Monday. Approximately 1,999 firefighters, 206 engines, 43 water tenders, 12 helicopters, 38 hand crews and 45 dozers are assigned, Cal Fire said.
Both fires triggered a series of new mandatory and advisory evacuation orders from officials throughout Monday, with Kelseyville ordered to evacuate and an advisory evacuation issued for Soda Bay, Riviera Heights, Buckingham Park, Riviera West, Clear Lake Riviera and portions of Loch Lomond and Cobb due to the River’s advance.
Lucerne was placed under an advisory evacuation because of the Ranch fire.
By Monday evening, the tally of destroyed structures had risen to 10 – seven homes, three outbuildings – with two others, a residence and an outbuilding, said to be damaged, according to Cal Fire. Officials have so far not said where all of those structures are.
The official count of threatened structures remains at 10,200, Cal Fire said.
Throughout the day, radio reports from both fires indicated continued fights to deal with changing conditions that caused both fires to act erratically and burn even more aggressively.
On the Ranch fire, crews worked to protect structures in the Blue Lakes and Saratoga Springs areas.
At the same time, the situation on the River fire sounded chaotic as the fire moved toward homes in the area of George and Mathews roads, as well as in the Scotts Creek area and on Dessie Drive and Hendricks Road.
During the early afternoon, reports from the scene stated the fire made a significant run over Scotts Creek, which resulted in bringing in more units for structure protection.
At around 2 p.m. incident command said the fire was too erratic to successfully use air tankers, and that it was jumping dozer line.
The fire at that point was reported to be making a run toward the rock quarry at the bottom of the Hopland Grade. It also was spotting in multiple locations and reached the top of McGregor Ridge, located southeast of Scotts Mountain.
A four-acre spot fire also burned in the area of Mathews and George roads, and at least two other spot fires also were reported nearby.
Supervisor Rob Brown, who has been monitoring the fire throughout the day from the scene, said the River fire was behind Lampson field Field and hadn’t gotten to Highland Springs.
As the evening continued, dozers were ordered to widen a dozer and retardant line all the way to Highland Springs Reservoir
After 7 p.m., firefighters reported that the River was was making another significant push. Within the hour, plans were being made for a firing operation along Scotts Creek, where shortly after 9 p.m. firefighters were reported to be tied up fighting fires cross the creek by the green bridge.
Throughout the day, Lake County Animal Care and Control’s Lake Evacuation and Animal Protection continued to move through the mandatory evacuation area, rescuing animals. At around 4 p.m. they reported removing three alpacas from harm’s way.
Animal control officials said they are still offering animal evacuation support services; call 707-263-0278. Phones are answered by staff between 8 a.m. and 11 p.m.
The big evacuation effort on Monday, however, was for people, taking their animals and belongings and working their way through massive traffic jams that developed on the county’s highways.
Residents forced to evacuate – or those who chose to leave early on the advisory notices – have reported using local shelters, staying with friends in other parts of the county or sheltering outside of Lake County altogether due to concerns more evacuations could result.
The sheriff’s office said there will be no law enforcement escorts for evacuated residents into the evacuation areas for the Mendocino Complex wildfires. The evacuated areas are actively being patrolled by law enforcement personnel.
With a mandatory evacuation order now in effect for Kelseyville, shelters at Kelseyville High, Kelseyville Elementary and Mountain Vista Middle School were closed on Monday, according to Sheriff Brian Martin.
A new shelter is due to open at Coyote Valley Elementary, 18950 Coyote Valley Road in Hidden Valley Lake, which will offer 185 beds, Martin said.
In other fire-related news, on Monday afternoon the Lakeport City Council called a special meeting to ratify an emergency declaration issued on Sunday.
The Board of Supervisors also will host an emergency meeting at 9 a.m. Tuesday at Clearlake City Hall, 14050 Olympic Drive.
The purpose of the meeting is to ratify Sheriff Brian Martin’s local emergency declaration. Additionally, staff from all agencies cooperating to respond to the Mendocino Complex wildfires will be on hand to provide the public a comprehensive update.
The meeting will be streamed live on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/lakecountycagov/. County officials will monitor and respond to questions posted to Facebook during the meeting. Lake County PEG TV, Mediacom Channel 8 also will broadcast the meeting live.
An updated summary of incident evacuation, shelter and road closure information is below.
EVACUATIONS
MANDATORY
Lake County
• Kelseyville and Finley areas, north of the Lake-Sonoma-Mendocino County Line, east of Highland Springs Road, south of the Lake and west of Bottle Rock Road and Clear Lake State Park.
• Western Lake County, west of Lucerne at Bartlett Springs Road and Highway 20, south of the fire, east of the fire, and north of the Lake-Mendocino County line to include the communities of Blue Lakes, Upper Lake, Nice, Lakeport, Witter Springs, Bachelor Valley, Scotts Valley and Saratoga Springs.
Mendocino County
• Potter Valley community; all areas north of Highway 20, east of the fire edge, to the Mendocino-Lake County line, south of Burris Lane to MeWhinney Creek and east of Eastside Potter Valley Road, to include feeder roads utilizing Burris Lane east to the Mendocino-Lake County line.
• Highway 20 area from one mile south of Highway 20, east of Potter Valley Road, south of MeWhinney Creek, and west of Mendocino-Lake County line.
• Pine Avenue area of Potter Valley north of Burris Lane, east of Eastside Potter Valley Road, south of 10511 Eastside Potter Valley Road, and west of the Lake-Mendocino County line.
• Midmountain Road area, north of 10551 Eastside Potter Valley Road, east of Eastside Potter Valley Road, south of 11385 Eastside Potter Valley Road, west of Mendocino-Lake County Line.
• Hopland area north of Highway 175, east of mile marker 5.6 on Highway 175, south of the fire and west of the Mendocino-Lake County line.
ADVISORIES/WARNINGS
Lake County
• Soda Bay, Riviera Heights, Buckingham Park, Riviera West, Clear Lake Riviera, portions of Loch Lomond and Cobb. The advisory includes all residents living north of Lake-Sonoma County Line, east of Bottle Rock Road, south of Clear Lake and west of Soda Bay Road, Red Hills Road, and Highway 175, including the subdivisions of Soda Bay, Riviera Heights, Buckingham Park, Riviera West, and Clear Lake Riviera west of Soda Bay Road.
• Mendocino National Forest within the boundaries of Lake County.
• Lake Pillsbury basin and surrounding areas.
• North of Bartlett Springs Road, east of the Ranch Fire, south of the Lake-Mendocino-Glenn County line, and west of Lake-Colusa County line.
• Lucerne and Paradise Valley areas, north of Clear Lake, east of the Ranch fire, south of Bartlett Springs Road, west of Paradise Valley Drive.
Mendocino County
• North of 8000 block of River Road to Yokayo Ranch Road.
• South of 8000 Old River Road, east of the Russian River, north of Highway 175, west of mile marker 5.6 on Highway 175.
ROAD CLOSURES
Lake County
• Highway 175, at Highway 29 to westbound traffic • Elk Mountain Road at Middle Creek Road • Highway 20, westbound at Highway 29 • Highway 20, westbound at Bartlett Springs Road • Soda Bay Road at Clark Road • Highway 29, northbound at Cole Creek • Bottle Rock Road at Cole Creek Road
Mendocino County
• Highway 175, at Old River Road to eastbound traffic • Midmountain at Eastside Potter Valley Road • Mill Creek Road, half a mile east of Old River Road • Pine Avenue at Eastside Potter Valley Road • Highway 20 at Potter Valley Road • Elk Mountain Road south of Pillsbury Road
• Mendocino College, Dance Room, 1000 Hensley Creek Road, Ukiah • Coyote Valley Elementary, 18950 Coyote Valley Road, Hidden Valley Lake • Lower Lake High School, 9430 Lake St. • Twin Pine Casino, 22223 Highway 29, Middletown
CONNECTING WITH FRIENDS AND FAMILY AFTER EVACUATIONS
The Safe and Well locating service from the American Red Cross is now active.
Visit https://safeandwell.communityos.org/cms/index.php to list yourself as safe, using the Mendocino Complex Fire-July 2018 Disaster Event.
If you’re looking for someone, use the same link and click on “Search Registrants.”
ANIMAL EVACUATIONS
Lake County
Large livestock can be taken to Cole Creek Equestrian Center, 4985 Steelhead Drive, Kelseyville, telephone 707-279-0915; or to Helen Owens’ A1 Horse Programs, 18585 Guenoc Lane, Hidden Valley Lake, telephone 707-355-0121.
Lake Evacuation and Animal Protection has been activated and is still offering animal evacuation support services. Call Lake County Animal Care and Control Department at 707-263-0278. Phones are answered by staff between 8 a.m. and 11 p.m.
The Animal Care and Control Shelter is not accepting pets at this time.
The SPCA of Clear Lake, 8025 Highway 29, is open 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily and is accepting senior pets, or pets with medical issues and/or heat distress.
If you can keep your pets with you, please do so. Pet supplies are delivered to all open evacuation shelters regularly.
Mendocino County
Redwood Riders Arena, 8300 East Road, Redwood Valley is accepting horses.
Mendocino County Animal Care, 298 Plant Road, Ukiah is accepting small animals.
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.
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Authorities issued new evacuations on Monday afternoon in response to the growing Mendocino Complex.
With the afternoon winds fanning the complex’s River and Ranch fires and causing them to continue to grow, additional swaths of Lake County were placed under evacuation orders.
At around 2 p.m., Cal Fire issued an advisory evacuation issued for the following areas:
• the Mendocino National Forest within the boundaries of Lake County; • the Lake Pillsbury basin and surrounding areas; • north of Bartlett Springs Road, east of the Ranch Fire, south of the Lake-Mendocino-Glenn County line, and west of Lake-Colusa County line; • the Lucerne and Paradise Valley areas, north of Clear Lake, east of the Ranch fire, south of Bartlett Springs Road, west of Paradise Valley Drive.
That was followed just before 3 p.m. by a mandatory evacuation for the Kelseyville and Finley areas.
The sheriff’s office said the mandatory evacuation area is north of the Lake-Sonoma-Mendocino County Line, east of Highland Springs Road, south of the Lake and west of Bottle Rock Road and Clear Lake State Park, including the communities of Finley and Kelseyville.
At 4 p.m., the sheriff’s office issued an advisory evacuation for Soda Bay, Riviera Heights, Buckingham Park, Riviera West, Clear Lake Riviera and portions of Loch Lomond and Cobb.
The advisory includes all residents living north of Lake-Sonoma County Line, east of Bottle Rock Road, south of Clear Lake and west of Soda Bay Road, Red Hills Road, and Highway 175, including the subdivisions of Soda Bay, Riviera Heights, Buckingham Park, Riviera West, and Clear Lake Riviera west of Soda Bay Road.
A summary of incident evacuation and road closure information is below.
EVACUATIONS
MANDATORY
Lake County
• Kelseyville and Finley areas, north of the Lake-Sonoma-Mendocino County Line, east of Highland Springs Road, south of the Lake and west of Bottle Rock Road and Clear Lake State Park.
• Western Lake County, west of Lucerne at Bartlett Springs Road and Highway 20, south of the fire, east of the fire, and north of the Lake-Mendocino County line to include the communities of Blue Lakes, Upper Lake, Nice, Lakeport, Witter Springs, Bachelor Valley, Scotts Valley and Saratoga Springs.
Mendocino County
• East of mile marker 5.6 on Highway 175, north of Highway 175, west of the Mendocino-Lake County line, and south of the fire.
• Potter Valley community; all areas north of Highway 20, east of the fire edge, to the Mendocino-Lake County line, south of Burris Lane to MeWhinney Creek and east of Eastside Potter Valley Road, to include feeder roads utilizing Burris Lane east to the Mendocino-Lake County line.
• Highway 20 area from one mile south of Highway 20, east of Potter Valley Road, south of MeWhinney Creek, and west of Mendocino-Lake County line.
• Pine Avenue area of Potter Valley north of Burris Lane, east of Eastside Potter Valley Road, south of 10511 Eastside Potter Valley Road, and west of the Lake-Mendocino County line.
• Midmountain Road area, north of 10551 Eastside Potter Valley Road, east of Eastside Potter Valley Road, south of 11385 Eastside Potter Valley Road, west of Mendocino-Lake County Line.
ADVISORY/WARNING
Lake County
• Soda Bay, Riviera Heights, Buckingham Park, Riviera West, Clear Lake Riviera, portions of Loch Lomond and Cobb. The advisory includes all residents living north of Lake-Sonoma County Line, east of Bottle Rock Road, south of Clear Lake and west of Soda Bay Road, Red Hills Road, and Highway 175, including the subdivisions of Soda Bay, Riviera Heights, Buckingham Park, Riviera West, and Clear Lake Riviera west of Soda Bay Road. • Mendocino National Forest within the boundaries of Lake County. • Lake Pillsbury basin and surrounding areas. • North of Bartlett Springs Road, east of the Ranch Fire, south of the Lake-Mendocino-Glenn County line, and west of Lake-Colusa County line. • Lucerne and Paradise Valley areas, north of Clear Lake, east of the Ranch fire, south of Bartlett Springs Road, west of Paradise Valley Drive.
Mendocino County
• North of 8000 block of River Road to Yokayo Ranch Road. • South of 8000 Old River Road, east of the Russian River, north of Highway 175, west of mile marker 5.6 on Highway 175.
ROAD CLOSURES
Lake County
• Highway 175, at Highway 29 to westbound traffic. (Lake Co.) • Scotts Valley Road at Hill Road • Elk Mountain Road at Rancheria Road • Highland Springs Road at Argonaut Road • Ackley Road at Highway 29 • Highway 20, westbound at Highway 29 • Highway 20, eastbound at Bartlett Springs Road • Scotts Valley Road, at Highway 29 • Highway 29, at Highland Springs Road • Soda Bay Road, at Big Valley Road
Mendocino County
• Highway 175, at Old River Road to eastbound traffic (Mendocino Co.) • Burris Lane at Eastside Potter Valley Road • Old River Road, at the 8000 block • Pine Avenue, at Eastside Potter Valley Road • Highway 20, at Potter Valley Road • Elk Mountain Road, south of Pillsbury Road
EVACUATION CENTERS
• Mendocino College, Dance Room, 1000 Hensley Creek Road, Ukiah • Mountain Vista Middle School, 5081 Konocti Road, Kelseyville • Kelseyville Elementary School, 5065 Konocti Road • Kelseyville High School, 5480 Main St. • Lower Lake High School, 9430 Lake St. • Twin Pines Casino, 22223 Highway 29, Middletown.
ANIMAL EVACUATIONS
Lake County
Large livestock can be taken to Cole Creek Equestrian Center, 4985 Steelhead Drive, Kelseyville, telephone 707-279-0915; or to Helen Owens’ A1 Horse Programs, 18585 Guenoc Lane, Hidden Valley Lake, telephone 707-355-0121.
Lake Evacuation and Animal Protection has been activated and is evacuating animals. Call Lake County Animal Care and Control from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. at 707-263-0278.
Mendocino County
Redwood Riders Arena, 8300 East Road, Redwood Valley is accepting horses.
Mendocino County Animal Care, 298 Plant Road, Ukiah is accepting small animals.
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.
The Ranch fire on Monday, July 30, 2018. Image courtesy of Cal Fire. LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – The Mendocino Complex made a dramatic growth in size overnight, nearly doubling in size, which a Lake County official said was partly the result of backfiring to help control the fire.
Cal Fire said the fire grew from 30,500 acres on Sunday night to 55,987 acres by Monday morning, with 10 percent total containment.
That breaks down to 20,911 acres and 5-percent containment for the River fire, and 35,076 acres for the Ranch fire, also 5-percent contained, Cal Fire said.
Officials said the fire complex continues to threaten 10,200 homes.
As a result, numerous communities including all of Lakeport, Blue Lakes, Bachelor Valley, Witter Springs, Nice and Upper Lake remain under mandatory evacuation in Lake County, with Potter Valley and areas close to the fire on the Mendocino County side also under evacuation order, according to Cal Fire.
On Monday, Cal Fire reported that evacuation orders have been lifted and residents may return to parts of Hopland, including the Hopland Rancheria.
The Lake County Sheriff’s Office said the complex led to the evacuation on Sunday of the Lake County Jail in the north Lakeport area.
The sheriff’s office said it was assisted in that effort by the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office, Alameda County Sheriff’s Office and Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office.
Approximately 285 inmates were moved and are being housed in Alameda County. Lake County Correctional and Medical Staff are being utilized in Alameda County to care and oversee the inmates from Lake County. Officials said there are currently no accommodations for visitation of Lake County inmates in Alameda County.
The total number of structures the complex has destroyed so far was still given as six by Cal Fire on Monday, although there were reports that additional structures had in fact burned overnight and hadn’t been confirmed.
Lake County Supervisor Rob Brown said the fire jumped Highway 175 near Lakeport in a few areas overnight but it was contained quickly.
The River fire on Monday, July 30, 2018. Image courtesy of Cal Fire.
By the time he got up to the scene at around 5 a.m. Monday, he said firefighters had established dozer line around the fire on the Hopland Grade.
Brown attributed the large overnight acreage growth partly to a lot of backfiring firefighters did along Highway 175. “They did a really good job of cleaning that up,” he said.
Authorities are continuing to patrol the evacuated areas and on Monday reported three more arrests of people found in the evacuation areas.
In related fire news, officials are asking Lake County residents to conserve water to the absolute minimum, as local water systems are being challenged supporting local needs and the efforts to save our homes and communities.
Sutter Lakeside Hospital, Lake County Tribal Health and the Lakeview Clinic are all closed due to the mandatory evacuations, while Adventist Health Hospital and Adventist Health Clinics in Clearlake, Middletown and Kelseyville are operating as normal.
Those needing emergency refills and having nonemergency health needs are asked to go to one of the clinics as not to overwhelm the emergency department.
Lake County Animal Care and Control reported on Monday morning that the SPCA facility at 8025 Highway 29, just south of Kits Corner, has opened and will accommodate special needs animals, including seniors, those with medicals issues and heat-related stress. Space is limited, and only animals from the mandatory evacuation areas will be accepted. Separately, animal supplies will be made available at the evacuation shelters.
Air quality remained poor on Monday, with thick smoke blanketing areas along the Northshore. Smoky conditions are expected to continue while the complex burns, officials said.
A summary of incident evacuation and road closure information is below.
EVACUATIONS
MANDATORY
Lake County
• Western Lake County, west of Lucerne at Bartlett Springs Road and Highway 20, south of the fire, east of the fire, and north of the Lake-Mendocino County line to include the communities of Blue Lakes, Upper Lake, Nice, Lakeport, Witter Springs, Bachelor Valley, Scotts Valley and Saratoga Springs.
Mendocino County
• East of mile marker 5.6 on Highway 175, north of Highway 175, west of the Mendocino-Lake County line, and south of the fire.
• Potter Valley community; all areas north of Highway 20, east of the fire edge, to the Mendocino-Lake County line, south of Burris Lane to MeWhinney Creek and east of Eastside Potter Valley Road, to include feeder roads utilizing Burris Lane east to the Mendocino-Lake County line.
• Highway 20 area from one mile south of Highway 20, east of Potter Valley Road, south of MeWhinney Creek, and west of Mendocino-Lake County line.
• Pine Avenue area of Potter Valley north of Burris Lane, east of Eastside Potter Valley Road, south of 10511 Eastside Potter Valley Road, and west of the Lake-Mendocino County line.
• Midmountain Road area, north of 10551 Eastside Potter Valley Road, east of Eastside Potter Valley Road, south of 11385 Eastside Potter Valley Road, west of Mendocino-Lake County Line.
ADVISORY/WARNING
Lake County
• Kelseyville, Finley and Big Valley Rancheria.
Mendocino County
• North of 8000 block of River Road to Yokayo Ranch Road. • South of 8000 Old River Road, east of the Russian River, north of Highway 175, west of mile marker 5.6 on Highway 175;
ROAD CLOSURES
Lake County
• Highway 175, at Highway 29 to westbound traffic. (Lake Co.) • Scotts Valley Road at Hill Road • Elk Mountain Road at Rancheria Road • Highland Springs Road at Argonaut Road • Ackley Road at Highway 29 • Highway 20, westbound at Highway 29 • Highway 20, eastbound at Bartlett Springs Road • Scotts Valley Road, at Highway 29 • Highway 29, at Highland Springs Road • Soda Bay Road, at Big Valley Road
Mendocino County
• Highway 175, at Old River Road to eastbound traffic (Mendocino Co.) • Burris Lane at Eastside Potter Valley Road • Old River Road, at the 8000 block • Pine Avenue, at Eastside Potter Valley Road • Highway 20, at Potter Valley Road • Elk Mountain Road, south of Pillsbury Road
EVACUATION CENTERS
• Mendocino College, Dance Room, 1000 Hensley Creek Road, Ukiah • Mountain Vista Middle School, 5081 Konocti Road, Kelseyville • Kelseyville Elementary School, 5065 Konocti Road • Kelseyville High School, 5480 Main St. • Lower Lake High School, 9430 Lake St. • Twin Pines Casino, 22223 Highway 29, Middletown.
ANIMAL EVACUATIONS
Lake County
Large livestock can be taken to Cole Creek Equestrian Center, 4985 Steelhead Drive, Kelseyville, telephone 707-279-0915; or to Helen Owens’ A1 Horse Programs, 18585 Guenoc Lane, Hidden Valley Lake, telephone 707-355-0121.
Lake Evacuation and Animal Protection has been activated and is evacuating animals. Call Lake County Animal Care and Control from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. at 707-263-0278.
Mendocino County
Redwood Riders Arena, 8300 East Road, Redwood Valley is accepting horses.
Mendocino County Animal Care, 298 Plant Road, Ukiah is accepting small animals.
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.
The Ranch fire burning on a hillside above Dewell Road Extension and Rancheria Road near Upper Lake, Calif., on the night of Sunday, July 29, 2018. Photo by Elizabeth Larson/Lake County News.
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Firefighters, law enforcement, and local and state leaders were continuing their work on Sunday to protect Lake County from the destructive impacts of its latest wildland fires.
The Ranch and River fires, now combined into the Mendocino Complex, began burning Friday afternoon in Mendocino County before moving into Lake County.
The complex had grown to 30,500 acres by Sunday night, with containment at 10 percent and six structures destroyed.
With the fires threatening more than 10,000 homes, a series of mandatory and advisory evacuations have caused tens of thousands of Lake County residents to leave their homes as the fires bore down on Lakeport and Upper Lake.
As the fires continued to burn through thick vegetation, the smoke billowed into enormous columns in the sky.
In the case of the Ranch fire, reaching Upper Lake on Sunday, the column resembled boiling thunderclouds stacked on top of each other.
For much of the day, thick smoke obscured the sun, turning it a blood red, and at night, the moon turned bright red, too, due to the smoke-clogged atmosphere.
Air conditions prompted the Lake County Air Quality Management District on Sunday to issue an alert for “unhealthy” to “very unhealthy” conditions throughout Lake County with localized areas reaching “hazardous” levels due to particulate.
The River fire’s approach to the Lakeport, the county seat, and its full evacuation has had numerous impacts, including closure of the Lake County Superior Court, and county and city offices; the evacuation of Sutter Lakeside Hospital and Evergreen Lakeport Healthcare; temporary shuttering of the Lakeport Senior Center; as well as closure of numerous businesses.
The Ranch fire likewise has shuttered businesses and facilities, including the the Mendocino National Forest’s Upper Lake district, and the complex as a whole causing numerous road closures, including Highway 175 over the Hopland Grade and Highway 20 from the junction of Highway 29 to Highway 101.
Both fires also are believed to have been connected to the cause for power outages impacting thousands of people along the Northshore, officials reported.
The smoke plume from the Ranch fire as seen from north Lakeport, Calif., on Sunday, July 29, 2018. Photo by Elizabeth Larson/Lake County News.
More resources join the effort
As with other major wildland fire incident, this one has required the assistance of multiple units from around the region.
There were California Highway Patrol officers from Garberville guarding roads around Upper Lake, Clearlake Public Works personnel staffing the road closure on Lakeport Boulevard at Hamburger Hill, and firefighters from numerous communities around the state on the fire lines.
Cal Fire said nearly 1,400 firefighters are now assigned to the incident.
On Sunday afternoon, firefighters were working at a number of locations in and around the city of Lakeport and on the Northshore.
With Highway 175 over Hopland closed, fire crews were staged along the highway and working to stop the fire from further advancing toward the city.
Supervisor Rob Brown, who has been throughout the fire area since it began, said they had made progress that day on the fire’s progress along the highway, noting conditions also appeared to have improved because the wind conditions had changed and were more in firefighters’ favor.
Back down the hill, in the Sandy Lane area behind Lakeport, dozers were working the area and a firing operation also took place.
One dozer operator was reported to have been injured on the lines nearby and flown to an out-of-county trauma center.
Property owner Allen Keithly ran his own bulldozer throughout the day on Sunday to cut fire line while the fire crept through the grass nearby. He had refused to leave his land and decided he would keep working there instead.
At the nearby subdivision next to Westside Community Park, dozers had cut lines in vacant fields and equipment was staged to protect homes as flames burned brush on nearby hilltops.
Planes and helicopters flew over the city throughout the day, with the planes making retardant drops on in locations including along Scotts Creek Road, with dozers also cutting more protective line.
On Scotts Valley Road, residents were wetting down rooftops, trying to secure their properties and preparing to leave if the couldn’t defend their homes.
The River fire burning along Sandy Lane in Lakeport, Calif., on Sunday, July 29, 2018. Photo by Elizabeth Larson/Lake County News. City officials issue emergency proclamation
With the exception of the firefighters, law enforcement and city officials, the city of Lakeport was deserted and eerily silent on Sunday evening.
Library Park was empty save for sets of this year’s Shakespeare at the Lake production which had been planned for this weekend but canceled due to the evacuations.
Across the street in City Hall, city officials were at work in their own incident command center, with the building being powered by generators due to ongoing power outages.
Lakeport City Manager Margaret Silveira, her department heads, police administrative staff and Public Works staff, as well as Clearlake Public Works Director Doug Herren and new Clearlake Police Chief Andrew White, were monitoring the situation.
State Sen. Mike McGuire was working his way around the county on Sunday, stopping to check in on Silveira and her staff as well as accompanying Brown to the fire scene and to visit some of the evacuation shelters.
On Saturday, Gov. Jerry Brown declared a state of emergency due to the fires, and on Sunday night after McGuire’s visit the city of Lakeport issued an emergency proclamation due to the River fire, which resulted in a full mandatory evacuation of the city on Sunday afternoon.
County officials worked at a separate emergency operations center next door to the Lake County Jail.
Fire crews worked on the River fire along Scotts Creek Road in Lakeport, Calif., on Sunday, July 29, 2018. Photo by Elizabeth Larson/Lake County News. Ranch fire advances; more shelters open
The Ranch fire, now the biggest of the Mendocino Complex’s two fires, was pushing closer to Upper Lake on Sunday night.
The fire was moving over hillsides near the junction of Highway 20 and Highway 29.
The Ranch fire had by nightfall advanced as far as an area off of Elk Mountain Road and Rancheria Road, on a hillside above Dewell Road Extension as well as an area near young walnut orchards. Brown believed the orchards would help control the spread of the fire.
The fire was giving off thick smoke and ash that clogged the air of the Northshore miles away.
Radio traffic indicated that the fire area off Elk Mountain Road was a primary work location for firefighters overnight.
Meanwhile, with thousands of people displaced from their homes, Cal Fire reported on Sunday night that five shelters were open for Lake County evacuees: Mountain Vista Middle School, 5081 Konocti Road, Kelseyville; Kelseyville Elementary School, 5065 Konocti Road; Kelseyville High School, 5480 Main St.; Lower Lake High School, 9430 Lake St.; and Twin Pine Casino, 22223 Highway 29, Middletown.
Fire equipment staged around homes near Westside Community Park to protect them from the River fire on Sunday, July 29, 2018. Photo by Elizabeth Larson/Lake County News.
At the Kelseyville High School shelter on Sunday night, shelter staff reported that 57 people had checked in.
Cots were set up in the gymnasium, which was being cooled by large fans.
Some of the evacuees looked exhausted, others seemed bewildered and struggled to make themselves comfortable in the situation.
At Mountain Vista Middle School, another 75 to 80 people were sheltering, officials said.
McGuire talked with shelter managers about needs – such as snacks, coffee and baby formula – and coordinated with state Office of Emergency Services officials for delivery of items on Monday.
Cal Fire estimates the complex will be fully contained on Aug. 6.
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.
Smoke from the Mendocino Complex hangs in the skies over Lakeport, Calif. on Sunday, July 29, 2018. Photo by Elizabeth Larson/Lake County News.
Shawn D. Morrison, 35, of Montara, Calif., was arrested on Sunday, July 29, 2018, for prowling and unauthorized entry into a closed emergency area. Photo courtesy of the Lakeport Police Department. LAKEPORT, Calif. – Police arrested a Montara man on Sunday night after finding him prowling around homes located in the mandatory evacuation zone in Lakeport.
Shawn D. Morrison, 35, was placed under arrest for prowling and unauthorized entry into a closed emergency area, according to the Lakeport Police Department.
Officials said that at 8 p.m. Sunday a Lakeport Police officer responded to the 1100 block of Page Drive on a report of a male subject, with no shirt, peeking into windows of residences that were vacant due to mandatory evacuations.
The officer contacted the male subject, identified as Morrison, who stated he was there to pick up some things from his aunt’s house, according to the report.
Through the course of the investigation, police said the officer determined Morrison did not live in the area and was aware of the mandatory evacuations.
Morrison subsequently was placed under arrest and transported to jail where his bail was set at $5,000, police said.
The Lakeport Police Department, Lake County Sheriff's Office and allied agencies – Clearlake Police, Ukiah Police and the Mendocino County Sheriff – are actively patrolling for unauthorized entry into evacuation areas.
Authorities said any unauthorized person who willfully and knowingly enters a disaster area and who willfully remains within the area after receiving notice to evacuate or leave shall be guilty of a misdemeanor.
Gregory Brunner, 32, of Lakeport, Calif., was arrested on Sunday, July 29, 2018, for driving on a suspended driver’s license as well as a host of weapons-related charges after he was found in the fire evacuation area in Lakeport, Calif. Lake County Jail photo.
LAKEPORT, Calif. – A Lakeport man arrested on Sunday in the city’s evacuated area was found to be illegally in possession of a concealed weapon.
Gregory Brunner, 32, was taken into custody on Sunday morning, according to the Lakeport Police Department.
At about 11 a.m. Sunday, Clearlake Police Officer Mark Harden, who was assisting the Lakeport Police Department and the Lake County Sheriff’s Office in patrolling the evacuated areas in and around Lakeport, conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle in the evacuated area, police said.
Police said the driver of the vehicle, identified as Brunner, was found to have a suspended driver’s license. Bruner was arrested for driving on a suspended driver’s license.
During a search incident to arrest, Brunner was found to be in possession of a loaded Glock 9 millimeter handgun. Police said the serial number of the firearm had been damaged so that the number was not readable.
Brunner is a convicted felon and is prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition. Police said Brunner was additionally charged with felon in possession of a firearm, felon in possession of ammunition, possession of a concealed firearm, possession of a loaded firearm in public, altering a firearms serial number, and entering a closed disaster area.
He later was booked into the Lake County Jail, authorities reported.
A loaded Glock 9 millimeter handgun found by police in the possession of Gregory Brunner, 32, of Lakeport, Calif., on Sunday, July 29, 2018. Photo courtesy of the Lakeport Police Department.
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