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- Written by: Elizabeth Larson
COBB, Calif. – A moderately sized earthquake was reported near The Geysers geothermal steamfield on Monday morning.
The quake, measuring 3.0 on the Richter Scale, occurred at 5:44 a.m., according to the US Geological Survey.
Its epicenter was located one mile north northeast of The Geysers, four miles west southwest of Cobb and six miles west northwest of Anderson Springs, at a depth of 1.5 miles, the survey reported.
Two shake reports were submitted to the US Geological Survey – one from Middletown and one from Oakland.
Email Elizabeth Larson at
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- Written by: Lake County News reports
MENDOCINO NATIONAL FOREST, Calif. – Fire restrictions on the Mendocino National Forest will be lifted Tuesday, Oct. 16, at 12:01 a.m. as a result of lower temperatures in the area.
Visitors with a valid California Campfire Permit will once again be able to have fires outside of designated campgrounds, including wilderness areas.
The fire restrictions were put in place July 13 due to increased fire danger and hot, dry weather.
Despite the change in weather, fire season is not officially over, forest officials said.
Visitors are asked to be careful when using campfires, charcoal fires and gas stoves in the National Forest.
When you have a campfire, please do the following:
- Clear all flammable material away from the fire for a minimum of 5 feet in all directions to prevent escape of the fire.
- Have a shovel available at the campfire site for preparing and extinguishing campfires.
- Have a responsible person in attendance at all times.
- Extinguish campfire with water, drowning the fire, stirring the coals and ash, and feeling for heat or warm spots; continue the process until the coals and ash are cold.
Campfire permits are available free of charge from any Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management or Cal Fire offices, including the Mendocino National Forest.
For more information, please contact the Mendocino National Forest at 530-934-3316 or visit www.fs.usda.gov/mendocino .
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- Written by: Lake County News reports
LOWER LAKE, Calif. – Local and state fire agencies will be conducting live fire training and a controlled burn with California State Parks on Tuesday, Oct. 16, between 6 p.m. and 10 p.m. at Anderson Marsh State Historic Park and Natural Preserve in Lower Lake.
The fuel to be burned is grass and light brush, State Parks reported.
The public may still see and smell smoke from Clear Lake, Lower Lake and other outlying areas on Clear Lake.
California State Parks conducts this live fire training periodically to control invasive plant species, fuel reduction, hazard assessment, maintain fuel breaks, and enhance coordination between local and state agencies.
During this training, firefighters will participate in mobile attack, progressive hose lays, handline construction, firing operations, fire shelter deployment, fire suppression tactics and strategies, as well as overall fire and public safety.
A similar exercise and controlled burn was conducted on Oct. 9, as Lake County News has reported.
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- Written by: Nathalie V. Antus
CLEARLAKE, Calif. – Following events last week promoting the Lakeshore Drive Downtown Corridor, a team of engineers and consultants last Friday unveiled the preliminary designs for the area that were based on community involvement and suggestions.
The Lakeshore Drive Downtown Corridor runs from Olympic Drive to Old Highway 53.
Opening the Oct. 12 presentation at Clearlake City Hall was Josh Meyer, director of Community Planning Programs at Local Government Commission, a nonprofit organization that worked with the Lake County/City Area Planning Council (APC).
Meyer explained the funding behind the corridor’s proposed designs. APC wrote a proposal for a $160,000 Caltrans grant that allowed the community to fund the vision.
With Nelson Nygaard, an engineering firm, as well as Opticos Design on board, the entire team was able to help translate ideas into a plan for improvement projects, Meyer said.
Going over challenges, values, speed, sidewalks and parking, Meyer explained what needed to be improved, and what improvements were already being made.
Current efforts include grant funding that will go to upgrading Redbud’s boat ramps, as well as planned improvements at Highlands Park.
The turnout from the community has been stellar, said Meyer.
At Friday’s presentation, more than 100 members of the public were on hand. The design studio, on Wednesday night, also brought in higher than normal attendance numbers – double, the numbers in other communities, the team reported.
Improvements such as buffers, adhering to the American Disabilities Act (ADA) requirement of 48 inches of adequate space and signage are all challenges for creating a proper road on Lakeshore Drive, the team explained.
John Miki from Opticos Design continued the presentation, showing graphics of proposed improvements.
As parks are close to retail, amenities should be used to help boost the public draw of Redbud Park’s harbor, designers suggested.
Preliminary design suggestions included having only one side of parking, medians, on street and back-in parking, and bike lanes.
The designs showed the vast improvements that can be made to Lakeshore Drive as the city works with property developers and obtains easements of dedication from business owners.
It was recommended that Clearlake build on what it has now. However, proper design and maintenance will be crucially important, as most of the corridor’s water side is deemed by the Federal Emergency Management Agency to be in the flood zone.
Staff commended Ben Lawson for taking the team out on his boat to help them envision the view from a boater’s perspective. Designs to help improve floating docks and pilings leading up to the parks were based on Lawson’s tour of Clear Lake.
The community was asked to keep an open mind as future developments – and developers – come forward.
The team said Lakeshore Drive is a work in progress, and will be substantially aided by this new grant and design efforts.
Leaving behind some “bite-size” prioritized tasks, and short- to long-term goals for the city, the grant continues with review and work coming back in late February.
After the presentation, attendees walked across to Austin Park for a community reception.
The reception was hosted by the Clear Lake Chamber of Commerce led by Tamara Richmond, with food provided by Chic Le Chef, wine from Six Sigma and Vigilance Wineries and music from David Neft.
A camera crew from the Discovery Channel also was on hand to document Clearlake’s latest event for a show about America.
Email Nathalie V. Antus at