LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – The Lake County Sheriff’s Office said it is investigating the homicide of a local man whose remains were found last month in the Mendocino National Forest.
The remains of John Turner Dickerson, 48, of Nice, were discovered on Aug. 9, according to Lt. Corey Paulich.
On that day, Lake County Sheriff’s deputies were dispatched to an area in the Mendocino National Forest related to possible human remains being found, Paulich said.
Paulich said detectives from the Major Crimes Unit also responded to the location and determined the remains were human and badly decomposed.
The remains were recovered and an autopsy was conducted later that week. Paulich said the autopsy revealed that the remains belonged to a male who was the victim of a homicide.
Detectives were able to positively identify the victim as Dickerson, Paulich said.
Paulich said the cause of death is not being released at this time.
Detectives have been investigating several leads related to Dickerson’s death, Paulich said.
The Sheriff’s Office is asking anyone who may have information related to the circumstances of Dickerson’s death to contact Det. Richard Kreutzer at 707-262-4233.
Due to unprecedented and historic fire conditions throughout the state, the USDA Forest Service Pacific Southwest Region is announcing a temporary closure of an additional 10 National Forests – including the Mendocino National Forest – meaning all 18 National Forests in California are now closed.
The closure of the additional 10 forests will be effective at 5 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 9.
These additional forests include the Eldorado National Forest, Klamath National Forest, Lassen National Forest, Mendocino National Forest, Modoc National Forest, Six Rivers National Forest, Plumas National Forest, Shasta-Trinity National Forest, Tahoe National Forest and Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit.
This decision will be reevaluated daily as conditions change, officials said.
The Forest Service had closed eight National Forests on Monday evening. Explosive growth of fires throughout California during the day and late evening of Tuesday led to this updated decision.
“The number of large fires and extreme fire behavior we are seeing across the state is historic," said Regional Forester Randy Moore. "These temporary closures are necessary to protect the public and our firefighters, and we will keep them in place until conditions improve and we are confident that National Forest visitors can recreate safely. I ask all Californians and visitors to take these closures and evacuations seriously for their own safety and to allow our firefighters to focus on the mission of safely suppressing these fires."
The Forest Service thanked its partners and the public for their cooperation and understanding “of this monumental fire threat.”
Officials said it is critical that all Californians and National Forest visitors follow these important closures and restrictions for their own safety and the safety of our firefighters. Citizens with specific questions within their area may call their local forests for more information.
The Forest Service manages 18 National Forests in the Pacific Southwest Region, which encompasses more than 20 million acres across California.
A rendering of the main frontage of the Lake County Tribal Health Consortium’s Southshore Clinic in Clearlake, California. Tribal Health hosted a groundbreaking and blessing ceremony of the site at 14440 Olympic Drive on Tuesday, September 8, 2020. Image courtesy of NorthStar Designing Solutions.
CLEARLAKE, Calif. – A years-long project to bring additional medical services to the Clearlake area took its next major step forward on Tuesday when Lake County Tribal Health Consortium leadership and board members gathered to break ground on their new Southshore Clinic.
The new 25,000-square-foot outpatient health clinic will be located at 14440 Olympic Drive, between the Clearlake Post Office and DaVita Clearlake Dialysis.
“This has been a long time coming,” said Tribal Health Chief Executive Officer Ernesto Padilla.
Padilla, who in January will mark 10 years with the consortium, has watched the project develop from its earliest inception. He said he remembered when the clinic was first discussed by the leadership and started out as an action item on a project list.
He said he’s excited. “This is a big deal that we’re doing here.”
Bret Woods, Tribal Health’s chief financial officer, said the new clinic will offer primary medical care, pediatrics and dental services, and also will have room for visiting specialists.
Woods said it will roughly double the capacity of Tribal Health’s patient base, and they expect several thousand more people will be able to take advantage of its services.
In addition, Woods said it’s expected to add 45 to 50 new employees, both medical providers and support staff.
Elem Colony Elder Thomas Brown leads a blessing at the site of the Lake County Tribal Health Consortium’s Southshore Clinic in Clearlake, California on Tuesday, September 8, 2020. Photo by Elizabeth Larson/Lake County News. The ceremony featured a blessing led by Elem Colony Elder Thomas Brown, who walked a circular path near parked construction equipment while followed by a line of Tribal Health leadership and local officials.
Steve Rugg, Tribal Health’s special projects manager, has worked with the consortium since 1998 and was involved in building its main facility at 925 Bevins Court in Lakeport.
The new clinic will be roughly the same size as the one in Lakeport, he told Lake County News.
He said the Southshore Clinic will be a state-of-the-art facility offering 10 enclosed dental operatories with ultraviolet disinfection to destroy airborne viruses, along with 12 medical exam rooms in four pods that include a separate pod for pediatrics.
Rugg said the clinic also will feature larger treatment rooms, two airborne isolation rooms to keep all employees and clients safe from infectious disease, rooms for telemedicine and an on-site pharmacy so that prescribing and obtaining medication can be a one-stop-shop.
With the help of Realtor Dave Hughes, Tribal Health found the property and completed escrow on it in July 2017. From there, Rugg said the consortium’s board and administrative team embarked on an “ambitious design program,” that began with establishing the basics and then moving into considering every detail.
Embedded in the process – down to the specifics of room sizes, security systems and even cabinet designs – is the knowledge and experience that Tribal Health has amassed in its 40 years of serving Lake County, he explained.
Partnering in the process was NorthStar Designing Solutions of Chico, the architect, along with assistance from civil engineering group Ruzicka Associates of Lakeport. Rugg said Tribal Health entered into a design-assist agreement earlier this year with Hilbers Inc.
Lake County Tribal Health Consortium Board members and administrative staff were joined by Clearlake City Manager Alan Flora, architects and construction staff for the groundbreaking of the new Southshore Clinic at 14440 Olympic Drive in Clearlake, California, on Tuesday, September 8, 2020. Photo by Elizabeth Larson/Lake County News.
Rugg offered a shout-out of praise for the city of Clearlake, which along with different local districts have been very supportive and accommodating of the project, Rugg said. He said they’ve become partners in the clinic’s creation.
Larry Hilberts said Tuesday at the event that his firm is acting as the construction manager and general contractor on the project.
Hilbers said his firm has a 20-year history with Tribal Health, having built its administration building on Bevins Court in Lakeport.
He said they plan to push the 18-month timeline to get it completed earlier. “This is going to be a smooth project.”
Clearlake City Manager Alan Flora said there is a really rich tribal history in Clearlake and there need to be more examples of honoring that history.
Flora said the new clinic will do just that as well as bringing much-needed medical care to the area.
“Thank you for choosing to grow your services here in the city,” Flora said.
Padilla then stepped forward to present Flora with a $25,000 check meant to go toward improvements at the city’s Austin Park, which has been undergoing major improvements for several months.
Flora said the funds will be used for the park’s new bandshell, which will feature the Tribal Health logo.
Padilla noted that Tribal Health is the only health care organization operating locally that is owned by Lake County residents.
One of the clinic’s additional benefits is its location on the side of the lake where 25 percent of the county’s tribal members live, Padilla said.
Woods said the clinic is expected to be completed in the spring of 2022. At that point, they’re looking at another celebration – a grand opening.
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 rendering of the Lake County Tribal Health Consortium’s Southshore Clinic looking northeast on Olympic Drive in Clearlake, California. Tribal Health hosted a groundbreaking and blessing ceremony of the site at 14440 Olympic Drive on Tuesday, September 8, 2020. Image courtesy of NorthStar Designing Solutions.
The LNU Lightning Complex as mapped by Cal Fire on Wednesday, September 9, 2020. LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Despite high temperatures and fire weather concerns, firefighters prevented any new growth across the vast acreage impacted by the LNU Lightning Complex on Tuesday.
The complex, which began on Aug. 17, remained at 375,209 acres and 91-percent containment on Tuesday night, Cal Fire reported.
Cal Fire said 1,167 personnel, 66 engines, 26 water tenders, three helicopters, 28 hand crews and 22 dozers are assigned to the complex, which stretches across Colusa, Lake, Napa, Solano, Sonoma and Yolo counties.
Due to the high winds on Monday that caused flare-ups on the Walbridge fire in Sonoma County, an evacuation order and a warning were issued by the Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office on Monday night for areas west of Healdsburg.
Firefighters on Tuesday were able to prevent the Walbridge fire from growing; it remained at 54,940 acres, with containment unchanged at 95 percent.
On Tuesday night, the Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office lifted both the mandatory evacuation and the evacuation warning.
On the east side of the complex, the Hennessey fire – which burned into the other five counties, including Lake – remained at 317,909 acres and 91-percent containment on Tuesday, according to Cal Fire’s report.
Cal Fire said crews are continuing to work to strengthen containment lines and make repairs necessary due to suppression efforts.
A red flag warning remains in effect throughout the fire area through Wednesday morning due to high winds and temperatures, officials said.
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.
NORTHERN CALIFORNIA – With high winds working through the fire area, officials said Tuesday that the August Complex on the Mendocino National Forest burned another 7,000 acres, with evacuation warnings and orders in three counties remaining in effect.
The August Complex reached 356,312 acres and 24-percent containment on Tuesday, with 1,162 resources committed, the US Forest Service said.
Fire activity increased Sunday due to high temperatures and gusty winds throughout the complex. Fire crews are prepared for ongoing heightened fire activity over the next couple of days due to extreme forecast weather.
A red flag warning remains in effect through 8 a.m. Wednesday.
The Hull, Doe, Tatham and Glade fires have burned into one large fire. The Hopkins Fire, which is 19,782 acres, has spread further into the Yolla Bolly – Middle Eel Wilderness.
With the improved visibility from cleared skies, air operations were able to safely conduct water drops on Monday. Several scoopers and helicopters dropped water on the Hopkins fire. On the southwestern portion of the August Complex, eight air tankers and two helicopters dropped water in the Monkey Rock area throughout the day, officials said.
Evacuation orders are in effect in Glenn County, and portions of Mendocino and Lake counties, officials said.
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – The Lake County Office of Education is offering a College Rental Assistance Program for students who are at risk of becoming homeless or are experiencing homelessness.
Students that are considered homeless or are experiencing homelessness include those who are couch surfing, are doubled up with another family, live in buildings that are not intended to be dwellings, and/or are going without stable or permanent housing.
To be eligible for the program a student must be from Lake County and taking a minimum of six units of college classes or are participating in a trade school/program.
Funding is also available for high school seniors who are doing dual enrollment at a college and/or for families with young children.
“Having secure and adequate housing is crucial for any youth’s ability to learn. Programs such as this will allow our students the stability to grow and excel in school,” said Lake County Superintendent of Schools Brock Falkenberg.
According to the National Center for Homeless Education, the number of homeless students enrolled in public school districts and reported by state education agencies during the school year 2016-2017 was 1.3 million students. Lake County has in excess of 750 students in TK-12 grades who are homeless.
The program will provide rental assistance of $500 a month for 10 months and will be paid directly to the landlord. Applications will be accepted for the school year 2020-2021 and space is limited.
The funding from the program is flexible if there is a need for one-time rental assistance to secure housing.
This program is possible through the Homeless Emergency Aid Program that is offered through LCOE's Healthy Start program.
“The focus is our Lake County students and ensuring they have the resources they need to get the education they deserve,” said Ana Santana, director of Healthy Start.
Last year three individuals successfully participated in the program and were able to get funding during the academic school year.
“Lake County’s success starts with our student’s success,” Falkenberg said.
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Lake County’s Public Health officer reported on Tuesday that a coronavirus outbreak in a local skilled nursing facility has now led to a third COVID-19-related death.
This latest death is the sixth in the county overall, Dr. Gary Pace said.
Pace said on Tuesday afternoon that the individual lived at the same local senior residential facility where the recent outbreak has occurred.
This latest patient to die was over the age of 65 with underlying chronic medical issues and tested positive prior to becoming symptomatic, Pace said.
Pace has declined to identify the facility, where two previous COVID-19 deaths were reported on Aug. 29 and Sept. 1, as Lake County News has reported.
The facility has confirmed with Public Heatlh that it has notified all residents and their families of the outbreak, Pace told Lake County News.
As of Tuesday afternoon, Lake County Public Health said there are 368 confirmed COVID-19 cases in the county, of which 26 are active – and are under Public Health monitoring – while two are hospitalized and 336 have recovered.
To date, approximately 10,173 tests for the virus have been conducted in Lake County, Public Health reported.
“We encourage everyone to pause for a minute and recognize that taking an extra step of Prevention – like wearing a mask or avoiding a social event— could potentially save a life,” Pace said. “Even though many people when infected don’t get very sick, this COVID can be deadly.”
Residents seeking public health information on how to reduce the spread of the COVID-19 virus can access Lake County’s Public Health Division webpage or call the COVID-19 hotline at 707-263-8174 to speak to a Public Health adviser.
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 LNU Lightning Complex as mapped by Cal Fire on Tuesday, September 8, 2020. LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Within hours of flare-ups being reported on the LNU Lightning Complex’s Walbridge fire in Sonoma County, a new evacuation order and evacuation warning were implemented near that fire.
Cal Fire said Monday night that the complex remained at 375,209 acres and 91-percent containment.
On Monday afternoon, reports made over radio traffic stated that there were flare-ups on the Walbridge fire, burning west of Healdsburg, which is 54,940 acres and 95-percent contained.
Cal Fire said fire activity increased within the Walbridge containment lines on Monday, with firefighters on the ground supported by aircraft.
On Saturday, all remaining evacuation orders and warnings had been lifted. However, due to the situation on the Walbridge fire, shortly after 10 p.m. Monday, the Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office issued a mandatory evacuation order for areas south of south of Mill Creek Road, north of Sweetwater Springs Road, west of Westside Road and east of Palmer Creek Road.
At the same time, the agency issued an evacuation warning for the area north of the Russian River, east of Armstrong Woods Road, west of Westside Road and south of Sweetwater Springs Road.
An interactive map of the Sonoma County evacuation area can be found here.
On the Lake County side of the complex, the Hennessey fire – which also is burning in Colusa, Napa, Solano and Yolo counties – remained at 317,909 acres and 91-percent containment, Cal Fire said.
Assigned resources on the incident on Monday night totaled 1,315 personnel, 85 engines, 34 water tenders, four helicopters, 29 hand crews and 35 dozers.
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. – The latest report on unemployment in California shows that the recovery of jobs is continuing, with local and state jobless rates dropping.
The Employment Development Department said California’s unemployment rate was 13.3 percent in July thanks to the addition of 140,400 new jobs. That’s down 1.6 percent from June 2020, but up 9.3 percent from July of last year.
The Employment Development Department said California has now regained about a third – or 31.2 percent – of the 2,625,500 nonfarm jobs lost during March and April as a direct result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Despite California’s unemployment rate of 13.3 percent being noticeably lower than the record high of 16.4 percent from April and May, it is still above the 12.3 percent mark set during the height of the Great Recession in March, October and November 2010.
In Lake County, employment in July was 11.6 percent, down from a final rate of 14.2 percent in June, 15.5 percent in May and 16.7 percent in April, according to state data.
For comparison, Lake County’s July 2019 unemployment rate was 5.1 percent.
California had a record gain of 542,500 jobs in June and record losses from March and April in a data series that dates back to 1976, officials reported.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics said the nationwide unemployment rate in July was 10.2 percent, down from 11.1 percent in June, 13.2 percent in May and 14.7 percent in April.
Lake County’s civilian labor force in July totaled 26,920, up from 25,850 in June. The number of unemployed in July totaled 3,130, down from 3,670 in June, according to state data.
The farming sector in Lake County added nearly 300 jobs in July, an increase of 34.5 percent, with total nonfarm jobs up by 5.3 percent, or 680 jobs. That’s still down by 9.6 percent when compared with jobs in July 2019.
Within the nonfarm jobs category, the strongest sectors included goods producing, 35.5 percent; total private, 12.2 percent; private service providing, 9.6 percent; and service providing, 2.9 percent.
Leisure and hospitality, a subcategory of private service providing, showed an increase of 32.9 percent since June, but a year-over decrease of 18.6 percent.
The only subcategory showing job losses in any sector was government, down by 13 percent.
Lake County’s July jobless rate ranked it No. 31 of California’s 58 counties.
Lake’s neighboring county jobless rates and ranks for November are Colusa, 15.3 percent, No. 53; Glenn, 10.8 percent, No. 20; Mendocino, 10.9 percent, No. 22; Napa, 10.4 percent, No. 17; Sonoma, 9.8 percent, No. 11; and Yolo, 9.5 percent, No. 9.
In July, the impacts of the pandemic continued to give some rural counties higher jobless rankings than the urban areas that historically have been placed higher.
Trinity and Lassen counties tied with the lowest unemployment statement, at 8.6 percent, followed by Marin and Modoc, tied at 8.8 percent, and San Mateo at 9.2 percent.
The high unemployment in July was in Imperial County, 26.8 percent, with Los Angeles, 18.2 percent, Mono, 16.6 percent, Kern, 16.5 percent, and Tulare, 16.2 percent, rounding out the bottom five.
State job picture improving
The Employment Development Department said the number of Californians holding jobs in July was 16,293,900, an increase of 153,700 from June, but down 2,315,400 from the employment total in July of last year.
At the same time, the number of unemployed Californians was 2,510,100 in July, a decrease of 320,800 over the month, but up by 1,738,500 compared with July of last year.
Total nonfarm jobs in California’s 11 major industries totaled 15,796,100 in July – a net gain of 140,400 jobs from June. That job total is 113,400 fewer than June 2020 and down 1,643,600 from July of last year.
Total nonfarm jobs decreased by 1,643,600 – a 9.4-percent decrease – from July 2019 to July 2020 compared to the U.S. annual loss of 11,371,000 jobs, a 7.5-percent decrease, the state said.
The number of jobs in the agriculture industry increased by 22,400 jobs from June to 335,500. The agricultural industry has lost 85,900 farm jobs since July 2019, the state reported.
The month-over decrease in California’s unemployment rate (-1.6 percentage points) was larger than that of the nation as a whole (-0.9 percentage point), the report said.
Nine of California’s 11 industry sectors gained jobs in July.
The Employment Development Department said that among those industries, trade, transportation and utilities (+40,900) had the largest job gain due to the performance of motor vehicle and professional equipment wholesalers, as well as automobile dealers. The government sector grew by more than 36,000 jobs, thanks to the growth in state government.
The state reported the construction industry lost more than 14,800 jobs in July, largely due to weak hiring in residential construction despite hiring in non-residential construction being strong.
Unemployment claims up
The Employment Development Department said there were 3,144,098 people certifying for Unemployment Insurance benefits during the July 2020 sample week. That compares to 2,778,771 people in June 2020 and 308,212 people in July 2019.
Concurrently, 244,506 initial claims were processed in the July 2020 sample week, which was a month-over decrease of 39,794 claims from June 2020 but a year-over increase of 205,016 claims from July 2019, the Employment Development Department said.
Separately, the state reported that the Employment Development Department has disbursed more than $76.9 billion in benefit payments since March.
The agency said it has processed approximately 11.9 million in claims for Unemployment Insurance, Pandemic Unemployment Assistance and benefit claims extensions over that timeframe.
The average amount of benefits paid daily by EDD over the week of Aug. 20, $724 million, was 967 percent higher than the daily average paid over the same week at the height of the Great Recession ($68 million) in 2010.
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.
LAKEPORT, Calif. – The Lakeport Planning Commission will meet to discuss several projects this week, including an application to rename a city street in honor of the man who was instrumental in the creation of Westside Community Park.
The commission will meet via webinar beginning at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 9.
To speak on an agenda item, access the meeting remotely here or join by phone by calling 951-384-3421 or toll-free, 877-309-2071. The access code is 825-284-020; the audio pin will be shown after joining the webinar. Those phoning in without using the web link will be in “listen mode” only and will not be able to participate or comment.
Comments can be submitted by email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. To give the City Clerk adequate time to print out comments for consideration at the meeting, please submit written comments prior to 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 9.
Please indicate in the email subject line "for public comment" and list the item number of the agenda item that is the topic of the comment. Comments that read to the council will be subject to the three minute time limitation (approximately 350 words). Written comments that are only to be provided to the council and not read at the meeting will be distributed to the council prior to the meeting.
On Wednesday’s agenda, the commission will entertain a proposal from the Westside Community Park Commission to rename Westside Park Road to Charlie Jolin’s Way.
Jolin, who died June 29, led the effort to develop the park.
It will be up to the commission to decide if the name change is in conformance with the city’s general plan and the existing street name network.
Another item of business on the commission’s agenda is an application for a use permit submitted by Precision Window Tint for automotive service at 112 Armstrong St., located in the city’s central business zoning district.
The commission also will continue its discussion, begun last month, of a project proposed by Jonathan and Doug Bridges for a 35,800 commercial self-storage facility located at 1296 and 1320 Craig Ave.
The Bridges are seeking approval of a general plan amendment, zone change, and an architectural and design review for the project.
Another project seeking a general plan amendment, along with an environmental review and zone change, is one proposed by Cory Poso, who wants to convert two high-density parcels at 1339 and 1343 Broten Court to low density residential to allow for the development of a single-family dwelling.
City documents said the two parcels together are approximately 4.8 acres.
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.
LAKEPORT, Calif. – The Lakeport Economic Development Advisory Committee will discuss COVID-19 recovery, development of a public art master plan and get updates on city activities when it meets this week.
The committee, or LEDAC, will meet telephonically from 7:30 to 9 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 9.
The meeting is open to the public.
If you would like to speak on an agenda item, you can access the meeting remotely by joining from a PC, Mac, iPad, iPhone, or Android device. Please register here. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the Webinar.
If you prefer to use your phone, you must select "Use Telephone" after joining the webinar and call in using these numbers: United States (toll-free): 877-309-2071; United States: 562-247-8421; Access Code: 748-407-093.
On the agenda is a presentation by Sheli Wright, the new CEO of the Lake County Fair, about plans and partnerships and this year’s virtual fair events, according to LEDAC Chair Wilda Shock.
Shock said LEDAC members also will be asked to consider engaging with surveying and contacting businesses to gain an informed awareness of the challenges and opportunities in the current and post-COVID-19 world.
She said this activity will be in lieu of the annual business walk activity conducted in person by the city of Lakeport, LEDAC and volunteers.
City Manager Kevin Ingram will discuss the development of a master plan for public art projects in Lakeport, with an initial emphasis on the new lakefront park area now under development at 800 N. Main St., Shock said.
There also will be member reports from the Lakeport Main Street Association, Lake County Chamber of Commerce, CareerPoint Lake, Mendocino College/Lake Center, Lake EDC/BARC and others.
LEDAC advocates for a strong and positive Lakeport business community and acts as a conduit between the city and the community for communicating the goals, activities and progress of Lakeport’s economic and business programs.
Members are Chair Wilda Shock and Vice Chair Denise Combs, Secretary Terre Logsdon, Maureen Brasier, Candy De Los Santos, Bill Eaton, Melissa Fulton, Pam Harpster, Andy Lucas, Laura Sammel and Amanda Xu. City staff who are members include City Manager Kevin Ingram.
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. – Pacific Gas and Electric said it has begun shutting off power across 22 counties in Northern California due to a strong wind event expected to continue through early Wednesday morning, with approximately two dozen Lake County residents to be included in the shutoff.
PG&E said the public safety power shutoff, or PSPS, event will affect customers in portions of 22 counties and seven tribal communities in the northern Sierra foothills, northern Sacramento Valley and elevated North Bay terrain.
This PSPS event is based on forecasts of widespread, severely dry conditions and strong, gusty winds that create critical fire weather with high ignition risk. These conditions are expected to continue through early Wednesday morning.
The power shutoff is expected to impact approximately 172,000 customers in Alpine, Amador, Butte, Calaveras, El Dorado, Humboldt, Kern, Lake, Lassen, Mariposa, Napa, Nevada, Placer, Plumas, Shasta, Sierra, Siskiyou, Sonoma, Tehama, Trinity, Tuolumne and Yuba counties.
The shutoffs began at different times across the PSPS area, with the earliest shutoffs taking place starting at 9 p.m., PG&E said.
In Lake County, 24 residents in the unincorporated areas of the county, none of them medical baseline customers, can expect to have their power shut off between 3 and 6 a.m. Tuesday. PG&E said the estimated time of restoration for those customers is 7 p.m. Wednesday.
PG&E said it will use temporary generation and islanding to enable about 69,000 customers and several medical facilities to stay energized.
The company said it is working to improve the PSPS program by making events smaller in size, shorter in length and smarter for our customers.
Although the National Weather Service has placed 1.5 million customers across PG&E’s service territory under red flag warning conditions, the company has been able to limit public safety PSPS de-energization to less than 12 percent of those customers now under red flag warning risk.
Customers can use an address lookup tool to find out if their location is being monitored for the potential safety shutoff at www.pge.com/pspsupdates.