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- Written by: Elizabeth Larson
LOWER LAKE, Calif. – Firefighters on Friday continued to make progress on a fire that began the day before along Highway 29, with their efforts doubling containment and leading to the lifting of an evacuation order.
The 29 Fire was at 300 acres and 60 percent containment Friday evening, with Cal Fire anticipating full containment by 10 a.m. Saturday.
The fire, the cause of which is still under investigation, was sparked Thursday afternoon near Murphy Springs Road.
Cal Fire said that because its personnel levels are being held to peak staffing through the end of October, personnel and resources were readily available to aggressively battle the 29 Fire when it broke out.
Assigned to the incident Friday evening were 363 personnel, 34 engines, 16 fire crews, three bulldozers and one helicopter, Cal Fire said.
Lake County Deputy Administrative Officer Debra Sommerfield told Lake County News that one residence was destroyed and seven outbuildings were destroyed or damaged.
The aggressive efforts by firefighters had saved 10 homes in the fire’s path near Murphy Springs, and prevented the fire getting to another 50 homes in the Twin Lakes Subdivision, Sommerfield said.
Ten acres of vineyard were destroyed, but Cal Fire said firefighters saved another 90 acres of winegrapes.
In addition, Cal Fire said 11 vehicles and 12 pieces of equipment – the latter ranging from a riding lawn mower to a bulldozer – were destroyed by the fire.
Sommerfield said that as of 3 p.m. the mandatory evacuations for the Murphy Springs area had been lifted. She said Murphy Springs Road was being reopened to residents only.
State and local officials said no injuries have occurred.
Cal Fire said Pacific Gas & Electric is continuing to work on restoring power to residences in the area. Earlier in the day it was estimated that about 30 customers were still without power.
Cooperating agencies include Cal Fire, Lake County Fire Protection, Kelseyville Fire, Lakeport Fire, Northshore Fire, South Lake County Fire, Williams Fire Department, US Forest Service, Lake County Sheriff’s Office, American Red Cross, Lake Evacuation and Animal Protection, Lake County Animal Care and Control, the California Highway Patrol, California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, Caltrans, Lake County Public Health Department, Lake County Road Department and PG&E.
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- Written by: Elizabeth Larson
LOWER LAKE, Calif. – Fire officials said containment has increased on a wildland fire south of Lower Lake, with some evacuations remaining in place.
The 29 Fire, burning since Thursday afternoon along Highway 29 and Perini Road, remains at 300 acres, having burned a barn and 10 vehicles, according to Cal Fire and county officials.
While Cal Fire said the fire's forward spread has been stopped, the number of personnel assigned to the incident since Thursday night has nearly doubled, rising to 363.
Cal Fire said firefighters are working hard to build and improve fire line, and are aided by 34 engines, 16 crews, one helicopter, three bulldozers and five water tenders.
Following a morning briefing on the fire, Lake County Deputy Administrative Officer Debra Sommerfield told Lake County News that officials were keeping in place mandatory evacuations for the Murphy Springs area.
A Red Cross evacuation shelter at Lower Lake High School remains on standby, Sommerfield said. No community members went to the shelter Thursday night.
She said about 30 Pacific Gas & Electric customers remained without power Friday morning, with the company expecting full power restoration by 8 p.m. Friday.
Highway 29, which had been closed during the initial fire response and then under one-way traffic control overnight, has been fully reopened, Sommerfield said.
Cal Fire said Murphy Springs Road remains closed.
Sommerfield said the fire's cause remains under investigation.
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- Written by: Lake County News reports
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Lake County’s chapter of Habitat for Humanity has received a sizable grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture to aid in improving the homes of low-income families.
Agriculture Under Secretary for Rural Development Dallas Tonsager announced that Habitat for Humanity Lake County had received a $55,541 grant to assist 12 homeowners in Lake County with home repairs and rehabilitation.
“For many rural residents, maintaining a home with basic features such as indoor plumbing and safe electrical wiring is often unaffordable,” Tonsager said. “This program supports basic repairs to improve living conditions for rural residents with extremely limited incomes.”
Habitat for Humanity Lake County was among seven California organizations to receive the funds from the USDA Rural Development’s Housing Preservation Grant program.
In California, each of the grants is being leveraged with funding from additional sources totaling over $629,000, the USDA reported.
Other California recipients include:
- County of Nevada: $85,000 grant will assist with repairs for seven homeowners in Nevada County.
- Great Northern Corp.:$45,184 grant will assist six families repair their homes in Siskiyou County.
- Los Coyotes Band of Cahuilla and Cupeno Indians: $47,500 grant will assist in repairing six tribal members’ homes.
- Self-Help Enterprises: $85,000 grant will help preserve seven homes throughout Fresno, Kings, Madera, Merced and Tulare counties.
- Self-Help Home Improvement Project: $95,000 grant will assist in repairing 25 homes in Shasta and Tehama counties.
- Yurok Indian Housing Authority: $47,500 grant will help repair 11 homes of tribal members.
In all, more than $4.4 million in funding was given to recipients from 49 states and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico to make repairs and improve housing conditions for low- and very-low-income rural residents, the USDA reported.
Funds are provided to intermediaries such as town or county governments, public agencies, federally recognized Indian tribes, and nonprofit and faith-based and community organizations.
These organizations then distribute the funds to homeowners and owners of multi-family rental properties or cooperative dwellings who repair dwellings occupied by low- and very-low-income residents. Funds are not provided directly to the ultimate recipients by USDA.
The USDA said grants may be used to make general repairs, such as installing or improving plumbing or providing or enhancing access to people with disabilities.
Funds also may be used to weatherize and make homes more energy efficient, the USDA reported.
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- Written by: Lake County News reports
KELSEYVILLE, Calif. – As part of its continuing commemoration of Domestic Violence Awareness Month throughout October, Lake Family Resource Center will host an open house at its domestic violence shelter on Sunday, Oct. 21.
The open house will take place from 12:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. at Freedom House, located at 5350 Main St. in Kelseyville.
The event will provide the community with an opportunity to become familiar with the services available at the shelter, see “behind the fence” and hear about the programming available to domestic violence victims.
Freedom House shelters female and male victims with their children up to 18 years of age. Victims stay as long as necessary to prepare for a new safe and secure life after being sheltered. Plan to take advantage of this rare opportunity to tour this secure facility.
The public is encouraged to come and see Freedom House and learn some about domestic violence. Tours and refreshments will be provided.
Lake Family Resource Center is determined to call awareness to the tragedy of domestic violence in the hope of ending it in Lake County.
The center provides a multitude of services to build family stability and strength. The agency supports all Lake County residents in achieving stable, self-sufficient, and healthy families and communities.
Call them at at 707-279-0563 to find out more about what they offer.