A NASA satellite image from Sunday, July 29, 2018, shows thick smoke over much of Northern California 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.
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – The growing Mendocino Complex continued to pump thick smoke into the air in Lake County on Sunday, resulting in another air quality alert from Lake County Air Quality Management District warning of seriously degraded conditions.
Air Pollution Control Officer Doug Gearhart said the air alert was for “unhealthy” to “very unhealthy” conditions, resulting from the heavy smoke conditions Lake County is experiencing and the forecast for extended smoke impacts, and impacts from other air pollutants in the smoke lingering in Lake County until conditions change.
Gearhart said current particulate levels are in the range from “unhealthy” to “very unhealthy” throughout Lake County with localized areas reaching “hazardous” levels.
The "unhealthy" levels of smoke are expected to continue through Monday. All areas may experience “very unhealthy” air quality, and individuals should take precautions, Gearhart said.
He said the smoke is expected to remain in Lake County through Monday, though air quality could improve if the winds shift.
Conditions can change quickly. Smoky conditions can cause irritation of the eyes, nose and air passages. These conditions can be hazardous for sensitive individual including children, the elderly, individuals with heart conditions, and those with chronic lung disease such as asthma, bronchitis, and other respiratory conditions.
Individuals with asthma, bronchitis, emphysema and other lung or heart diseases should carefully adhere to their medical treatment plans and maintain at least a five-day supply of prescribed medications. They should limit outdoor activity and unnecessary physical exertion while smoke is present. Air conditioning that recirculates indoor air should be used, when available. Drinking plenty of water to avoid drying of the airways is recommended, unless restricted for medical reasons.
If you cannot leave the smoky area, good ways to protect your lungs from wildfire smoke include staying indoors and reducing physical activity.
Wearing an air purifying respirator can also help protect your lungs from wildfire smoke. Air purifying respirators, such as N-95 or P100 filtering face pieces, may be effective in reducing some of the harmful particulate matter, but they also increase the work of breathing, can lead to physiologic stress, and are not recommended as a general protective measure.
Dust masks are not protective against the ultra fine particulate, which is the pollutant most detrimental to health caused by wildfire smoke.
With air quality forecast to be in the “unhealthy” to “very unhealthy” range, people are recommended to use caution, avoid strenuous activity, avoid outdoor activities, and 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 of very unhealthy or hazardous air quality, regional haze, and particulate from these fires can be expected until the regional fires are fully contained and the weather pattern shifts to clear the smoke. Take appropriate measures until the smoke clears.
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. (July 29, 2018) – Lake County is under a declared State of Emergency due to the Mendocino Complex Fires (River, Ranch).
The City of Lakeport and surrounding areas, home to many County offices, are among those under Mandatory Evacuation. Many County employees have been displaced by the fires, and our thoughts are with each evacuated individual, and all of those impacted by wildfire.
All County offices in Lakeport will be closed Monday, July 30. With the exception of those assigned to respond to the disaster, County employees stationed in Lakeport do not need to report to work. Those who are required to report to a different location will be notified by their departmental leadership.
At this time, all County offices are expected to reopen Tuesday, July 31.
“I am one of many County employees displaced, and am aware that many are attending to considerable personal, family and other urgent needs due to this disaster, and my sincere hope is that everyone will be safe and find appropriate shelter,” shares Carol J. Huchingson, County Administrative Officer.
“Our first responders are once again doing remarkable work in the face of tremendous challenges, and we are grateful for those efforts, as well as the contributions of so many friends and family members of those displaced.”
“I am proud to be part of the Lake County community,” continues Huchingson. “Ours is a community that binds together and responds in times of challenge, neighbors supporting neighbors. We will overcome this disaster together.”
KELSEYVILLE, Calif. -- The Lake County Sheriff's Office is issuing an Advisory Evacuation Notice for the Kelseyville community.
This includes all residences north of the Lake/Mendocino/Sonoma County lines to the shoreline of Clear Lake.
All residences west of Bottle Rock Road and Clear Lake State Park. This is an advisory evacuation message resulting from the River Fire. A shelter has been established at Mountain Vista Middle School in Kelseyville and Twin Pine Casino.
At this time, an evacuation is recommended, however not required. The Lake County Sheriff's Office encourage those who are able to evacuate to consider doing so now.
If you have somewhere you can go outside of the affected area, such as a friend or relatives home, we recommend doing so. We are inviting everyone to take preparations in the likely event a mandatory evacuation order is issued.
Preparations should include gathering all medications, important documents, making plans for pets, and notifying family members where you may be going.
During a mandatory evacuation, it will be extremely hectic and traffic conditions will be very congested. By evacuating early, you do your part in keeping yourself, your neighbors, and our first responders safe.
As a reminder, this is not a mandatory evacuation at this time. In the event of a mandatory evacuation, further information will be provided.
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. -- Additional mandatory evacuation orders were issued Sunday afternoon as the River and Ranch fires reached 30,500 acres.
The city of Lakeport and towns of Finley, Upperlake and Nice were put under mandatory evacuation as the fire moved further into Lake County. Traffic on Hwy 20 increased as evacuees moved East. In the town of Lucerne, residents could be seen packing cars though that town is not yet under an advisory.
An evacuation advisory for Kelseyville has also been issued.
The Lake County area now under mandatory evacuation 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-Sonoma County line to include the communities of BlueLakes, UpperLake, Nice, Lakeport, WitterSprings, Bachelor Valley, Scotts Valley, and Saratoga Springs.
The two fires combined have consumed 30,500 acres with 5 percent containment for both the River and the Ranch fires.
By Sunday evening six residences had been destroyed with an additional 10,200 threatened.
The CalFire situation update stated that 1379 fire fighters continue to battle the River and Ranch fires. Crews worked throughout the night to reinforce con tainment lines. Weather conditions will continue to challenge firefighters as hot, dry and windy conditions persist. A lack of available suppression and overhead personnel will also slow the firefighting efforts.
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. -- The Lake County Sheriff's Office has issued a mandatory evacuation order for Upperlake, California in response to the spread of the Ranch Fire.
LCSO advises residents to evacuate immediately.
Upper Lake is under imminent threat from the Ranch Fire. Leave immediately via Hwy 20 Southbound.
Shelters established at Lower Lake High School and Twin Pines Casino in Middletown.
LAKEPORT, Calif. – The entire city of Lakeport has been ordered to evacuate because of the imminent threat posed by the fast-moving River fire, and Highway 20 has been closed because of the Ranch fire.
Just after 3 p.m. the Lakeport Police Department issued the mandatory evacuation notice, ordering residents to leave immediately and seek shelter at Twin Pine Casino in Middletown.
Minutes later, the Lake County Sheriff’s Office followed up by ordering all residents north of Highland Springs and Big Valley Road and south of 20th Street to leave immediately as well.
Finley and the Big Valley Rancheria lso have been placed under an evacuation advisory.
The Highway 20 closure was announced by the Lake County Sheriff’s Office at 4 p.m.
Radio reports had indicated the fire had jumped the highway.
The sheriff’s office confirmed that the closure was the result of the Ranch fire, and that the highway is closed between the intersection of Highway 20 and Potter Valley Road and the intersection of Highway 29 and Highway 20.
The city of Lakeport – which had been under an advisory evacuation notice since Saturday – now joins numerous other parts of the county where residents have been ordered to leave for their own safety because they are in the path of the Mendocino Complex of fires.
Law enforcement officials are now making their way through the city of Lakeport to help evacuate residents.
On Sunday morning, Cal Fire said the complex, which includes the Ranch and River fires, had burned a combined 24,270 acres, with a total of 10 percent containment and thousands of structures threatened.
As the day wore on, the fire fight continued, with the River fire began making runs up ridges near the city during the afternoon.
A community meeting that had been called for Sunday evening in Kelseyville also was canceled due to a lack of available resources, according to Sheriff Brian Martin.
Current evacuations, road closure and other related information are posted below.
EVACUATIONS
LAKE COUNTY
Mandatory evacuations:
• The city of Lakeport. • Lakeport area north of Highland Springs/Big Valley Road and South of 20th Street. • The unincorporated area Lakeport, everything south of Scotts Creek Road to Scotts Valley Road to Highway 29; everything west of Highway 29 from Scotts Valley Road to Highland Springs Road; everything north of Highland Springs Road, Mathews Road, George Road and Highway 175 to the Lake-Mendocino County line; everything east of Lake-Mendocino County line from Scotts Creek Road to Highway 175. • North of Highway 20, west of Mendenhall Avenue; east of the Mendocino-Lake County line; south of Mendocino National Forest. • Blue Lakes. • Bachelor Valley. • Witter Springs. • Elk Mountain Road, north of Rancheria Road to Middle Creek Campground and west to the county line. • North Scotts Valley Road from the 7000 block to Highway 20.
Advisory evacuation orders:
• North of Highway 20, east of Mendenhall Avenue and south of the Mendocino National Forest boundary, west of Robinson Rancheria Casino. • Finley and Big Valley Rancheria.
MENDOCINO COUNTY
Mandatory evacuations:
• 8000 block of River Road, south to the intersection of Highway 175 from the Russian River east to the Lake County line, within the north south points. These evacuations also include all driveways and homes located between the north south points. • 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 East Side Potter Valley Road, to include feeder roads utilizing Burris Lane east to the Mendocino-Lake County line.
Evacuation advisories or warnings:
• Highway 20 from the 6000 block to the Lake County line. • Potter Valley, Burris Lane area. • North of 8000 block of River Road to Yokayo Ranch Road.
ROAD CLOSURES
• Highway 20, between the intersection of Highway 20 and Potter Valley Road and the intersection of Highway 29 and Highway 20. • Highway 175, at Old River Road to eastbound traffic (Mendocino County). • Highway 175, at Highway 29 to westbound traffic (Lake County). • Old River Road, between the 7000 block and Highway 175. • Old River Road, between the 7000 and 8000 block is open to residents only. • Scotts Valley Road at Mountview Road/11th Street (Lakeport). • Hill Road at Scotts Valley Road (Lakeport). • Laurel Dell near Scotts Valley Road at Scotts Valley Road (Blue Lakes). • Bachelor Valley Road at Highway 20 (Upper Lake / Bachelor Valley and Witter Springs Community). • Witter Springs Road at Highway 20 (Upper Lake / Bachelor Valley and Witter Springs Community). • Elk Mountain Road at Rancheria Rd (Upper Lake). • Blue Lake Road at Highway 20 (Blue Lakes). • Irvine Avenue at Highway 20 (Blue Lakes). • Mid Lake Road at Highway 20 (Blue Lakes). • Mathews Road at Highway 175 (Lakeport). • Saratoga Springs Road at Highway 20 (Upper Lake / Bachelor Valley and Witter Springs Community). • Highland Springs Road at Argonaut Road (Lakeport). • Highland Springs Road at Bell Hill Road (Lakeport). • Highland Springs Road at Merritt (Lakeport). • Parallel Drive at Highway 175 (Lakeport). • Martin Street at Highway 29 overpass (Lakeport).
EVACUATION CENTERS
Mendocino College, Dance Room at 1000 Hensley Creek Road, Ukiah.
Mountain Vista Middle School, 5081 Konocti Road, Kelseyville.
Twin Pine Casino, 22223 Highway 29 in Middletown.
ANIMAL EVACUATION CENTERS/ASSISTANCE
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.
Animal assistance is being offered at the evacuation shelter at Mountain Vista Middle School, 5081 Konocti Road, Kelseyville.
Lake County Animal Care and Control urges people to try to keep small pets with them, as the shelter itself may need to be evacuated.
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 Mendocino Complex of fires in a map issued by Cal Fire on Sunday, July 29, 2018. The red perimeter at the top is the Ranch fire, while the red perimeter at the bottom is the River fire. The yellow areas on the map indicates Bureau of Land Management lands.
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – California’s governor has declared a state of emergency due to the Mendocino Complex, which grew by more than 10,000 acres overnight.
The Ranch and River fires make up the 24,270-acre Mendocino Complex, which began on Friday in Mendocino County before moving into Lake County, burning aggressively in steep terrain, fueled by extreme heat, low humidity and gusty winds.
On Sunday morning Cal Fire said the Ranch fire, which began along Highway 20 near Potter Valley, has grown to be the largest of the complex’s two fires, burning 13,242 acres.
On Saturday evening the Ranch fire spread into the Mendocino National Forest, according to forest spokeswoman Punky Moore.
The River fire, which began along Old River Road six miles from Hopland, is up to 11,028 acres, and has destroyed four residences and one outbuilding.
Both fires remained at 5 percent containment on Sunday morning, for a total complex containment of 10 percent, Cal Fire said.
Combined, the fires are now threatening 4,587 structures, Cal Fire said Sunday.
Cal Fire said 820 personnel, 56 engines, 22 water tenders, six helicopters, 27 hand crews and 22 dozers are assigned to the complex.
Earlier reports had indicated injuries to firefighters, but Sunday’s report said none have occurred.
The River fire portion of the Mendocino Complex flaring up on the evening of Saturday, July 28, 2018. Photo by Gail Salituri, published with permission.
On Saturday afternoon, as the work continued on the complex, the Steele fire began in Napa County, threatening the Berryessa Highlands area, where a mandatory evacuation was later ordered.
Aircraft were pulled from Lake County’s fires and diverted to the Steele fire, with planes later sent back to the Mendocino Complex, based on radio traffic.
The Steele fire has burned 150 acres, destroyed seven structures and damaged one other, and is 50 percent contained, Cal Fire said Sunday.
On Saturday night, Gov. Jerry Brown declared a state of emergency in Lake, Mendocino and Napa counties due to the effects of the River, Ranch and Steele fires.
“Grateful to Governor Brown for declaring a state of emergency in both Mendocino and Lake Counties,” State Sen. Mike McGuire said on his Facebook page. “This declaration will help pave the way for enhanced state and federal financial assistance.”
On Sunday morning the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency reported that it has authorized the use of federal funds to assist the State of California to combat the River Fire burning in Mendocino and Lake counties.
The River fire burning on the ridges behind Lakeport, Calif., on the evening of Saturday, July 28, 2018. Photo by Elizabeth Larson/Lake County News.
Mandatory evacuations remain in place
The Lake County Sheriff’s Office ordered several mandatory evacuations throughout the day on Saturday, all of which remained in effect on Sunday morning.
A a mandatory evacuation at Sutter Lakeside Hospital was triggered during Saturday afternoon.
Sutter Health spokesman Clayton Warren issued an update Saturday night that said 13 patients were safely evacuated to nearby hospitals by 7:20 p.m.
“As the last patients left the hospital, emergency officials advised us that the fire risk for Sutter Lakeside was greatly reduced – and as a result – requested we keep the emergency department and obstetrics open. The medical/surgical units and the intensive care unit remain closed,” Warren said.
Evergreen Lakeport Healthcare also was reported to have been evacuated on Saturday, based on radio reports.
The entire city of Lakeport was under an advisory evacuation throughout the day Saturday and into Sunday, and local law enforcement patrolled all of the evacuation areas to protect against looters.
Valicia Catching photographed the Mendocino Complex from Konocti Vista Casino in Lakeport, Calif., as birds flew in the opposite direction of the blaze on Saturday, July 28, 2018. Published with permission.
On Saturday night, the River fire’s flames crested ridges behind Lakeport and appeared to be approaching the city, as shown in the video below.
However, at that point Supervisor Rob Brown, who was driving the fire area with Sheriff Brian Martin, said the fire still appeared to be several miles and ridges away.
Brown and other local officials will host a community meeting about the fires at 5 p.m. Sunday at Kelseyville High School.
Firefighters worked the incident through the night, with structure protection in areas like Bachelor Valley a priority, according to radio reports.
Reports from the scene Saturday night stated that power was cut to the Bachelor Valley area as part of the firefighting effort.
Cal Fire anticipates that the Mendocino Complex will be fully contained on Aug. 5.
In other fire news, Gov. Brown announced on Saturday that the state has secured a presidential declaration requested on Friday providing direct federal assistance to further support the communities impacted by the Carr Fire, following an emergency proclamation issued for Shasta County this week.
The Carr fire in Redding ballooned to 89,194 acres by Sunday morning, with 5 percent containment, according to Cal Fire.
The incident has claimed the lives of two firefighters and three civilians, according to Redding area media reports.
Cal Fire said the Carr fire has destroyed 517 structures and damaged 135 others, and continues to threaten nearly 5,000 more.
Gov. Brown ordered state flags to be flown at half-staff in honor of two firefighters who died while working on the Carr Fire, and issued emergency proclamations for Riverside and Mariposa counties this week due to fires.
A summary of Mendocino Complex evacuations, road closures and shelter information is listed below. Updates will be issued throughout the day as information changes.
EVACUATIONS SUMMARY
LAKE COUNTY
Mandatory evacuations:
• The unincorporated area Lakeport, everything south of Scotts Creek Road to Scotts Valley Road to Highway 29; everything west of Highway 29 from Scotts Valley Road to Highland Springs Road; everything north of Highland Springs Road, Mathews Road, George Road and Highway 175 to the Lake-Mendocino County line; everything east of Lake-Mendocino County line from Scotts Creek Road to Highway 175. • North of Highway 20, west of Mendenhall Avenue; east of the Mendocino-Lake County line; south of Mendocino National Forest. • Blue Lakes. • Bachelor Valley. • Witter Springs. • Elk Mountain Road, north of Rancheria Road to Middle Creek Campground and west to the county line. • North Scotts Valley Road from the 7000 block to Highway 20.
Advisory evacuation orders:
• Area south of Park Way and east of Highway 29 to Big Valley Road, including the entire city of Lakeport. • North of Highway 20, east of Mendenhall Avenue and south of the Mendocino National Forest boundary, west of Robinson Rancheria Casino.
MENDOCINO COUNTY
Mandatory evacuations:
• 8000 block of River Road, south to the intersection of Highway 175 from the Russian River east to the Lake County line, within the north south points. These evacuations also include all driveways and homes located between the north south points. • 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 East Side Potter Valley Road, to include feeder roads utilizing Burris Lane east to the Mendocino-Lake County line.
Evacuation advisories or warnings:
• Highway 20 from the 6000 block to the Lake County line. • Potter Valley, Burris Lane area. • North of 8000 block of River Road to Yokayo Ranch Road.
ROAD CLOSURES
• Highway 175, at Old River Road to eastbound traffic (Mendocino County). • Highway 175, at Highway 29 to westbound traffic (Lake County). • Old River Road, between the 7000 block and Highway 175. • Old River Road, between the 7000 and 8000 block is open to residents only. • Scotts Valley Road at Mountview Road/11th Street (Lakeport). • Hill Road at Scotts Valley Road (Lakeport). • Laurel Dell near Scotts Valley Road at Scotts Valley Road (Blue Lakes). • Bachelor Valley Road at Highway 20 (Upper Lake / Bachelor Valley and Witter Springs Community). • Witter Springs Road at Highway 20 (Upper Lake / Bachelor Valley and Witter Springs Community). • Elk Mountain Road at Rancheria Rd (Upper Lake). • Blue Lake Road at Highway 20 (Blue Lakes). • Irvine Avenue at Highway 20 (Blue Lakes). • Mid Lake Road at Highway 20 (Blue Lakes). • Mathews Road at Highway 175 (Lakeport). • Saratoga Springs Road at Highway 20 (Upper Lake / Bachelor Valley and Witter Springs Community). • Highland Springs Road at Argonaut Road (Lakeport). • Highland Springs Road at Bell Hill Road (Lakeport). • Highland Springs Road at Merritt (Lakeport). • Parallel Drive at Highway 175 (Lakeport). • Martin Street at Highway 29 overpass (Lakeport).
EVACUATION CENTERS
Mendocino College, Dance Room at 1000 Hensley Creek Road, Ukiah.
Mountain Vista Middle School, 5081 Konocti Road, Kelseyville (This facility is reported to be full.)
Twin Pine Casino, 22223 Highway 29 in Middletown.
ANIMAL EVACUATION CENTERS/ASSISTANCE
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.
Animal assistance is being offered at the evacuation shelter at Mountain Vista Middle School, 5081 Konocti Road, Kelseyville.
Lake County Animal Care and Control urges people to try to keep small pets with them, as the shelter itself may need to be evacuated.
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.
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Fire-related issued knocked out power to thousands of residents on the Northshore and in Mendocino County on Saturday night.
The Mendocino Complex’s Ranch fire branch’s approach to Upper Lake had spurred a number of mandatory and advisory evacuations in the area on Saturday, as Lake County News has reported.
Shortly before 10:20 p.m. Saturday, radio reports indicated that the entire Bachelor Valley area near Upper Lake had been deenergized as part of the firefighting effort for the Mendocino Complex.
Then at approximately 10:24 p.m., power went out along a large swath of the Northshore, from Nice to Lucerne.
At about 11 p.m., State Sen. Mike McGuire reported on his Facebook page that Pacific Gas and Electric Co. was working on a “widespread outage that is impacting significant parts of Mendocino County including Willits, parts of Ukiah, a lot of the Mendocino Coast (including Fort Bragg) and parts of Lake County. We are in touch with PG&E representatives, more to report soon. “
PG&E said the Northshore outage in Lake County impacted 5,142 customers.
About an hour later, McGuire followed up by reporting that PG&E had determined the outage was caused by heavy smoke around the electrical lines in the Highway 20 area. He explained that heavy smoke is a conductor of electricity.
He said that, at that point, there continued to be significant fire activity south of Blue Lakes on Highway 20.
The company initially did not have a cause and had estimated power wouldn’t be restored until Monday afternoon.
However, just before 3 a.m., power came on in areas including Lucerne, with PG&E’s outage map showing the outage to be resolved a short time later.
At about the same time, McGuire said that PG&E had restored power in Ukiah.
Separately, PG&E reported some two outages in the mandatory evacuation zone in the unincorporated Lakeport area with more than 100 customers impacted.
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. – A community meeting in response to the Mendocino Complex will be held on Sunday evening in Kelseyville.
Supervisor Rob Brown said the meeting will take place beginning at 5 p.m. at Kelseyville High School, 5480 Main St.
Brown said he, along with Sheriff Brian Martin and State Sen. Mike McGuire, will be among the officials on hand to discuss the complex of fires with the community.
The Ranch and River fires began Friday in Mendocino County and have since pushed into Lake County’s borders, triggering both mandatory and advisory evacuations on Saturday.
On Saturday night, the River portion of the complex appeared to be continuing its push toward Lakeport, with flames cresting the ridges behind the city visible from across Clear Lake on the Northshore.
However, Brown said Saturday night that he and Martin had driven the fire area and it appeared that the fire was still several miles – and several ridges – away.
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.
A NASA satellite image shows thick smoke over much of Northern California 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. LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Lake County’s air quality conditions continued to worsen on Saturday primarily due to the thick smoke from the approaching Mendocino Complex, including the Ranch and River fires, and other major wildland incidents in the state.
Lake County Air Quality Pollution Control Officer Doug Gearhart issued an air quality alert for “unhealthy” to “very unhealthy” results from the heavy smoke conditions, as well as the forecast for extended smoke impacts.
Gearhart said Saturday that the particulate levels in Lake County are in the range from “unhealthy” to “very unhealthy” in the Lakeport and west county areas and “unhealthy for sensitive individuals” to “unhealthy” air quality in the eastern and southern portions of the county.
The higher levels of smoke are expected to continue through the weekend. With the expected weather conditions smoke levels are expected to degrade, Gearhart said.
All areas may experience “very unhealthy” air quality, and individuals should take precautions. The smoke is expected to remain in Lake County through the weekend, though Gearhart said the county may see periods of variable air quality as the winds shift through the next few days.
Conditions can change quickly. Smoky conditions can cause irritation of the eyes, nose and air passages. These conditions can be hazardous for sensitive individual including children, the elderly, individuals with heart conditions, and those with chronic lung disease such as asthma, bronchitis, and other respiratory conditions.
Individuals with asthma, bronchitis, emphysema and other lung or heart diseases should carefully adhere to their medical treatment plans and maintain at least a five-day supply of prescribed medications. They should limit outdoor activity and unnecessary physical exertion while smoke is present. Air conditioning that recirculates indoor air should be used, when available. Drinking plenty of water to avoid drying of the airways is recommended, unless restricted for medical reasons.
If you cannot leave the smoky area, good ways to protect your lungs from wildfire smoke include staying indoors and reducing physical activity.
Wearing an air purifying respirator can also help protect your lungs from wildfire smoke. Air purifying respirators, such as N-95 or P100 filtering face pieces, may be effective in reducing some of the harmful particulate matter, but they also increase the work of breathing, can lead to physiologic stress, and are not recommended as a general protective measure.
Dust masks are not protective against the ultra fine particulate, which is the pollutant most detrimental to health caused by wildfire smoke.
With air quality forecast to be in the “unhealthy” to “very unhealthy” range, people are recommended to use caution, avoid strenuous activity, avoid outdoor activities, and 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 of very unhealthy or hazardous air quality, regional haze, and particulate from these fires can be expected until the regional fires are fully contained and the weather pattern shifts to clear the smoke. Take appropriate measures until the smoke clears.
The River fire area, part of the Mendocino Complex, as of the morning of Saturday, July 28, 2018. Map courtesy of Cal Fire.
This story is being updated on a rolling basis.
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – With the River and Ranch fires bearing down on Lake County, local officials have issued new evacuation orders as crews on the fire lines try to stop the fires’ advance.
A new size estimate hasn’t yet been offered of the complex, which as of Saturday morning had burned 9,500 acres, with hundreds of structures threatened.
Just before 1:30 p.m., the sheriff’s office ordered mandatory evacuations for the area west of Highway 29 in and around the city of Lakeport, including all areas west of Highway 29 between Highland Springs Road and 11th Street/Scotts Valley Road, and west to the Lake/Mendocino County line.
That was followed at 4 p.m. by a mandatory evacuation order for Bachelor Valley and Witter Springs. Shortly before that order, radio traffic indicated the Ranch fire had jumped Bachelor Valley Road.
Minutes later, Incident command issued a call for an immediate need strike team of three engines to respond to Bachelor Valley for structure protection, according to radio reports.
The Ranch fire, part of the Mendocino Complex, as of the morning of Saturday, July 28, 2018. Map courtesy of Cal Fire.
About 20 minutes later, Scotts Valley was ordered to evacuate to the north and exit onto Highway 20.
At 4:30 p.m., Sutter Lakeside Hospital in Lakeport was reported to be under mandatory evacuation.
Sutter Health spokesman Clayton Warren said one patient from the emergency room and 14 other patients were evacuated. He said staff are now coordinating with the Sutter Health transfer center to determine which hospitals they’ll be transported to next, with Novato a possible location.
At 4:37 p.m., the Lake County Sheriff’s Office ordered residents on Elk Mountain Road north of Rancheria Road to evacuate immediately.
Law enforcement officers of multiple agencies have been working on evacuations throughout the day.
The Lake County Sheriff’s Office said shelters have been set up at Mountain Vista Middle School in Kelseyville, 5081 Konocti Road, and at Twin Pine Casino, 22223 Highway 29 in Middletown.
Shortly after 5 p.m., air operations on the complex reported that all aircraft – with the exception of one plane to be used for operations – were being pulled from the incident, with no more retardant to be dropped for the day, due to a fire that had broken out in the Berryessa Highlands in Napa County on Saturday afternoon.
Throughout the afternoon and evening, Lake County Animal Care and Control staff and volunteers with the Lake Evacuation and Animal Protection group, or LEAP, were reported to be working their way through the mandatory evacuation area.
At about 5:45 p.m. teams were reported to be working along Scotts Valley Road, picking up animals including goats, a mini donkey and an ostrich.
Emergency operations centers are now in operation in both Mendocino and Lake counties in response to the complex.
On Saturday afternoon, the Mendocino County Office of Emergency Services reported that a proclamation of a local emergency had been declared due to the fires.
Caltrans reported that Highway 175 is closed from the junction of Highway 101 in Hopland to 1.4 miles west of the south junction with Highway 29 at Mathews Road due to the fire.
As of 5:30 p.m., Highway 20 and Highway 29 remain open, according to Caltrans.
The mandatory evacuation area around Lakeport, Calif. Image courtesy of the Lake County Sheriff’s Office.
The Lake County Sheriff’s Office confirmed the following list of mandatory and advisory evacuations just before 8 p.m.
Mandatory evacuation orders
River fire
– All areas west of Highway 29 between Highland Springs Road and 11th Street/Scotts Valley Road, and west to the Lake/Mendocino County Line. This includes all of Hendricks Road.
Ranch fire
– Witter Springs, Bachelor Valley, Saratoga Springs. – Elk Mountain Road, north of Rancheria Road to Middle Creek Campground and west to the county line. – East side of Elk Mountain Road, from Rancheria Road to the Middle Creek Campground. – Blue Lakes.
Advisory evacuation orders
River fire
– South of Park Way and east of Highway 29 to Big Valley Road – basically everything east of 29 between Park Way and Big Valley.
Ranch fire
– Entire community of Upper Lake and surrounding areas.
Additional updates will be posted below.
UPDATES:
6:55 p.m.: Firefighters report that people are stopping along Highway 20 and causing a dangerous situation. They also were concerned that the Ranch fire was going to cross the highway and reach high tension power lines. The specific location was not reported. The fire also was said to be making significant runs.
7:04 p.m.: Two planes were requested to respond to the River fire.
7:05 p.m.: The spread of the Ranch fire along Highway 20 was reportedly slowing, with firefighters holding it in a creekbed, with the wind in their favor. The California Highway Patrol was clearing people off Highway 20. There were still concerns about the fire getting to power lines.
7:16 p.m.: The Lake County Sheriff’s Office, Lakeport Police Department and allied agencies – Clearlake Police, Ukiah Police and the Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office – are actively patrolling for unauthorized entry into evacuation areas. Officials 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.
7:20 p.m.: From the Lake County Sheriff’s Office: “This is a mandatory evacuation notice for the east side of Elk Mountain Road from Rancheria Road to the Middle Creek Campground. Residents are advised to evacuate immediately. A shelter has been established at the Mountain Vista Middle School in Kelseyville, and another at the Twin Pines Casino in Middletown that will open after 11 p.m.
7:38 p.m.: The Lake County Sheriff’s Office issued an evacuation advisory for the entire community of Upper Lake and the surrounding areas due to the approach of the Ranch Fire.
8:36 p.m.: A mandatory evacuation notice for the Blue Lakes area has been issued. The Lake County Sheriff's Office asks residents to please leave immediately.
9:38 p.m.: Cal Fire reports the Ranch fire now at 5,000 acres and 5-percent contained, while the River fire is 9,000 acres, also 5-percent contained. Total structures threatened by both remains at 386. So far, two structures destroyed.
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 mandatory evacuation area around Bachelor Valley and Witter Springs, Calif. Image courtesy of the Lake County Sheriff’s Office.
The Mendocino Complex as photographed from the Lucerne Hotel on the evening of Saturday, July 28, 2018. Photo by John Jensen/Lake County News. A tanker passes over Lucerne, Calif., on the way to the Mendocino Complex on the evening of Saturday, July 28, 2018. Photo by John Jensen/Lake County News.
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