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- Written by: Elizabeth Larson
NORTHERN CALIFORNIA – A fire burning in the Mendocino National Forest has reached 150 acres, according to a Saturday evening report from forest officials.
The Mill Fire is burning near the Mill Valley Campground and Upper Letts Lake in Colusa County, as Lake County News reported earlier Saturday evening.
Tamara Schmidt, a Mendocino National Forest spokesperson, said the fire was spotted on the forest at about 3 p.m. Saturday.
Shortly before 8 p.m., Schmidt reported that the fire had grown to 150 acres, with firefighters still in initial attack.
She said a Type 3 Incident Team was working on the fire Saturday night with resources scheduled to be coming in overnight and on Sunday.
Mill Valley, Mill Creek and Letts Lake campgrounds were evacuated, as well as the Board Camp summer home tract, Schmidt said.
The Mill Fire was threatening approximately 25 structures, including the campgrounds, according to Schmidt.
Schmidt said the road between Letts Lake and Fouts Springs, leading to Stonyford, is currently inaccessible.
She said visitors evacuating from the Letts Lake area on the west side of the fire are advised to take the Miner Ridge Road to Road M5 near Cedar Camp and follow M5 or County Road 42 out.
Schmidt said visitors are being asked to avoid the Fouts Springs and Davis Flat area due to increased fire traffic.
Forest officials were not currently aware of any injuries associated with the Mill Fire, Schmidt said.
The cause of the fire is currently under investigation, Schmidt said.
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- Written by: Elizabeth Larson
NORTHERN CALIFORNIA – State and federal firefighters responded Saturday afternoon to a fire burning in the Mendocino National Forest that resulted in campground evacuations.
The Mill Fire is located near Upper Letts Lake southwest of Stonyford, inside neighboring Colusa County, according to officials.
The U.S. Forest Service is leading the response, with Cal Fire reporting late Saturday that it was assisting with the effort.
The fire was first reported shortly before 3 p.m., at which point it was estimated to be about three to five acres with a moderate rate of spread, according to initial reports from the scene.
By about 6 p.m. the fire was confirmed at 100 acres, according to Tamara Schmidt, a Mendocino National Forest spokesperson.
“It’s still in initial attack,” Schmidt told Lake County News Saturday evening.
The cause is still under investigation, Schmidt said.
She said resources were continuing to come in Saturday night and Sunday.
Concerns about people in the canyon arose quickly after the fire was first reported, according to radio traffic.
“Mill Valley Campground was evacuated immediately,” Schmidt said.
Campers at Letts Lake Campground also were urged to evacuate as a precaution, said Schmidt.
Schmidt said they were advised to take Miner Ridge to Forest Road M5, as the way to Stonyford was unavailable due to the fire.
The fire was being hit hard from the air, with air tankers and copters at work, based on radio reports.
Cal Fire helicopters were reported to be using an area near Lake Pillsbury to land so they could refuel, according to California Highway Patrol reports.
Before 6 p.m. calls were put out on the radio for a fifth air tanker, because the terrain was too steep and dangerous for ground crews. Additional Type 2 helicopters for the effort weren’t available in the area, and a request was made for smokejumpers.
In one area, tankers were working to keep the fire from crossing a drainage of the Eel River, radio reports indicated.
Additional information on the fire will be posted as it becomes available.
Email Elizabeth Larson at
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- Written by: Lake County News reports
LOWER LAKE, Calif. – The Anderson Marsh Interpretive Association (AMIA) has received a $5,820 grant from the California State Parks Foundation (CSPF) ( www.calparks.org ) to support AMIA’s efforts to keep the Cache Creek Nature Trail boardwalk at Anderson Marsh State Historic Park accessible and in good repair.
“Many of our monthly Nature Walks and all of our school field trips include traveling over this part of the Anderson Marsh State Historic Park trail system,” said AMIA Secretary Gae Henry. “The Cache Creek Nature Trail and its boardwalk provide access to some of the best riparian habitats in the Park which could otherwise only be visited by water. The boardwalk is in need of repair and provides the only way for those with mobility issues to explore these fabulous habitats.”
“We appreciate everything that CSPF is doing to both assist the nonprofits that are working to prevent park closures as well as to help keep those Parks in good repair,” said AMIA President Roberta Lyons.
“The Anderson Marsh Interpretive Association is grateful for this financial support,” added AMIA Treasurer Henry Bornstein. “This grant will help us to meet our goal of keeping the park open and accessible to all members of the public.”
AMIA is a nonprofit association cooperating with the Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) to promote educational and interpretive activities at Anderson Marsh State Historic Park.
AMIA is currently in negotiations with DPR to enter into an operating agreement that will allow Anderson Marsh State Historic Park to remain open during the state’s current budget crisis.
For information about Anderson Marsh State Historic Park, AMIA and how you can help, go to www.andersonmarsh.org or contact AMIA at either
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- Written by: Vicky Parish Smith
KELSEYVILLE, Calif. – Over the tops of the steep hillside St. Olof vineyard and through the plush foliage of trees, hangs another Lake County Quilt Trail gem, titled “Twisted Star.”
Cindi and Eric Olof, 5615 Highland Springs Road, Lakeport, own the Olof Cellars and the barn holding the quilt block.
From a distance there is a slight view from Highland Springs Road. GPS location: N 38° 58´36¨ W 122° 53´40.¨ For a closer look-see, the owners prefer visitors call for an appointment at 707-391-7947.
Cindi Olof’s great-grandmother was of Norwegian ancestry and introduced her to the art of quilting.
Searching for a pattern that embraced Scandinavian appliquéd knot designs, she chose an enter-twined star and filled the block with very bright colors.
Olof said, “This is a wonderful community project. It makes people smile.”
Day to day information about the Lake County Quilt Trail can be found on Facebook. Pictures of the artists and projects in progress are posted frequently.
Information, history, and application forms to join this on-going project are found at www.lakecountyquilttrail.com .
Bethany Rose, 707-263-5744, is available for questions or visit Kerrie’s Quilting Shop at 1853 N. High Street, Lakeport, 707-263-8555.
