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- Written by: Lake County News reports
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Users of Clear Lake are advised to use extra caution when operating motorboats around shallow waters and near the shores of Clear Lake during the fall and winter months due to submerged debris near the lake’s surface.
Due to low water levels, submerged debris such as rocks, trees, sediments and other objects can cause significant damage if hit or come in contact with boats operating at normal to significant speed.
Lake County Water Resources Department advises boaters to maintain a safe speed and keep a clear line of vision ahead of their vessel, especially in the shallow areas and shoreline of the lake.
The Water Resources Department, in coordination with Lake County Marine Patrol, actively monitors and identifies submerged hazardous debris as lake levels drop.
However, this is an ongoing process and boaters should remain aware of their surroundings and maintain a safe speed when in and around Clear Lake’s shallow waters and shoreline.
For questions regarding this topic, or to report in-lake hazards such as debris or missing or found hazard buoys, please contact the Water Resources Department at 707-263-2344.
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- Written by: Lake County News reports
The US Forest Service said the August Complex in the Mendocino National Forest reached 325,172 acres and 24 percent containment on Sunday.
The Hull, Doe, Tatham, and Glade fires have merged to form one large fire, officials said.
There are 1,070 resources committed to the complex, including 22 crews, four camp crews, seven helicopters, 53 engines, 20 dozers, 32 water tenders, and two masticators.
Due to high temperatures and gusty winds, the potential for rapid fire spread throughout the complex will continue today through Tuesday, officials said. Temperatures could range from the mid-90s on the ridges to 110 degrees in the valleys.
A spot fire moved beyond the containment line in the Buck Rock area moving west towards an old burn scar. The Forest Service said crews will continue to contain and mop up the spot.
Firefighters were assisted with air operations dropping water from C-130 tankers and helicopters Saturday on the Hopkins fire, which is 15,466 acres and 10-percent contained, officials said.
The Forest Service said firefighters continue to use old burn scars and road systems in burnout operations, working along Rainbow Ridge with crews and heavy equipment, and air support.
Air operations also supported work in the areas around the M1 Road near the northwest corner of the Hull fire. Officials said a spot crossed the line during a burnout operation on Saturday. Fire retardant was used to cool down the area and hand crews worked to mop up the spot fire. That work continued on Sunday.
The burnout operations near Mendocino Pass to the west side of the Doe fire were successful and stayed within containment lines, officials said. Crews are also conducting burnout operations around the Mitchell Place on the north end of the Complex.
The Forest Service said crews are performing these operations in anticipation of potential rapid fire spread in the coming days. The burnout operations are aimed at slowing or stopping the fire as it reaches predetermined areas.
Mendocino National Forest officials updated the area closure for the August Complex on Sept. 5. The Forest Order 08-20-12 and map are posted on the forest website.
Daily updates and the virtual community meeting can be found on the Mendocino National Forest Facebook page.
The most up to date information on the August Complex can be found on InciWeb.
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- Written by: Elizabeth Larson
The National Weather Service issued the fire weather watch, which is in effect from 10 p.m. Monday through 8 a.m. Wednesday.
A fire weather watch means that critical fire weather conditions are forecast to occur, the National Weather Service said.
The forecast calls for a prolonged period of hot and dry conditions that began this weekend and will continue into early next week.
The National Weather Service said that period will be followed by the potential for strong north to northeast winds on area ridges from Monday evening through Wednesday morning, with wind speeds estimated to be between 20 and 30 miles per hour, and gusts as high as 40 miles per hour.
These winds would primarily impact Lake County and extreme eastern portions of Mendocino and Trinity counties, based on the forecast.
Strong winds combined with low relative humidity values of between 10 and 15 percent on Tuesday afternoon with poor overnight recoveries in the 25- to 40-percent range could result in critical fire weather conditions, the National Weather Service said.
Forecasters said those conditions meant that any new fires that develop will likely spread rapidly.
At the same time, an excessive heat warning is in effect in Lake County and across the state through Tuesday at 6 p.m. due to temperatures topping the century mark.
Compounding the situation for Lake County is a continuing air quality alert that’s in effect through 10 p.m. Monday.
The Lake County Air Quality Management District issued the alert due to smoky and hazy conditions from the LNU Lightning Complex, which is nearly full containment, and the August Complex, which continues to grow in the Mendocino National Forest.
Local air quality conditions can be tracked here.
A fire and smoke map can be found here.
Email Elizabeth Larson at
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- Written by: Lake County News reports
The grid operator declared a Stage 2 Emergency just before 6 p.m. Sunday when a transmission line from Oregon reduced capacity by 900 megawatts due to the heat. At the same time, generation totaling 260 megawatts tripped offline.
Conservation helped grid operators overcome those challenges and avoid rotating power outages.
“Consumer action to conserve energy tonight was key to helping us keep power flowing throughout the state,” said Eric Schmitt, ISO’s vice president of operations. “We recognize the sacrifice that consumers make in conserving energy during these very hot conditions, and appreciate their contribution.”
The ISO issued a Flex Alert to urge consumers to conserve energy during this statewide heatwave that’s driving up energy consumption.
The Flex Alert will be reissued on Monday, with conservation needed again from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m., the ISO said.
Consumers are urged to conserve electricity when the grid is most stressed in the afternoons and evenings, when temperatures remain high and solar production is falling due to the sun setting.
Between 3 p.m. and 9 p.m., the ISO is urging consumers to:
– Set air conditioning thermostats to 78 degrees, if health permits.
– Defer use of major appliances.
– Turn off unnecessary lights.
– Unplug unused electrical devices.
– Close blinds and drapes.
– Use fans when possible.
– Limit time the refrigerator door is open.
Consumers can also take steps to prepare for the Flex Alert by doing the following before 3 p.m.:
– “Pre-cool” their homes, or lower air conditioning thermostats.
– Charge electric vehicles.
– Charge mobile devices and laptops.
– Run dishwashers, washing machines and other major appliances.
– Set pool pumps to run in the early morning or late at night.
Temperatures on Monday will continue to be hot throughout the western US. The ISO is also monitoring numerous wildfires that may impact electrical lines.
For information on Flex Alerts, and to get more electricity conservation tips, visit the ISO’s Flex Alert website.