How to resolve AdBlock issue? 
News
- Details
- Written by: Elizabeth Larson
The two-and-a-half-week-old complex has been held at 375,209 acres since the start of this week, with containment up to 86 percent on Thursday night, Cal Fire said.
The 317,909-acre Hennessey fire on the east side of the complex in Colusa, Lake, Napa, Solano and Yolo counties rose to 85 percent containment on Thursday night.
In Sonoma County, the Walbridge fire west of Healdsburg rose to 92 percent containment while remaining at 54,940 acres. The 2,360-acre Meyers fire north of Jenner was fully contained earlier this week.
As the incident gets closer to full containment, firefighters and equipment are being released. Cal Fire’s Thursday evening report showed there were nearly 400 fewer firefighters assigned.
Total resources assigned on Thursday night included 2,053 personnel, 166 engines, 55 water tenders, 19 helicopters, 42 hand crews and 52 dozers, Cal Fire said.
Cal Fire said crews will continue to work to build containment lines and fire suppression repair teams remain active throughout the area.
Dry and hot weather is predicted and southwest winds were expected in the area overnight, which officials said could cause flareups in interior islands deep within the fire’s perimeter.
Cal Fire said 1,350 structures remain threatened, while 1,491 have been destroyed and 232 damaged. Lake County’s tally remains at nine destroyed structures, eight of them homes.
Growing containment and reduced threat to structures led to officials on Thursday lifting the evacuation order for all residents and areas south of Butts Canyon Road, east of Highway 29, and north and west of the Lake-Napa County line. At the same time, the evacuation warning was fully lifted for all residents and areas north of Morgan Valley Road, east of Highway 53, south of Highway 20 and west of the Lake-Colusa County line.
Cal Fire said evacuation warnings remain in effect for areas east of Middletown, areas north and south of Lower Lake, and areas around Middletown proper.
Email Elizabeth Larson at
- Details
- Written by: Lake County News reports
Labor Day weekend temperatures are forecast to be 10 to 20 degrees above normal for California, and the power grid operator is predicting an increase in electricity demand, primarily from air conditioning use.
Overnight temperatures statewide are projected to be at least 10 degrees higher than normal, which doesn’t allow infrastructure to cool down.
High heat is also predicted throughout the West for the weekend, which can limit the ISO’s ability to import energy to serve demand.
Consumers can actively help by shifting energy use to morning and nighttime hours. Conservation can lower demand and avoid further actions, including outages, and lessen the duration of possible power interruptions.
For example, consumer conservation efforts during a heatwave on Aug. 17 and 18 were key to preventing expected power outages.
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.
The ISO recognizes that reducing energy use during the hot time of the day is a hardship, especially for those working from home or for families with children schooling at home.
However, if a large enough number of consumers conserve even in small ways, they can help grid operators avoid more serious system emergencies.
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.
For information on Flex Alerts, to get more electricity conservation tips, and to sign up for conservation alerts, visit the ISO’s Flex Alert website.
- Details
- Written by: Lake County News reports
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Labor Day typically marks the end of the summer travel period, but 2020 has been anything but typical.
Although many Californians may forgo the long weekend road trip this year for a staycation, the California Highway Patrol will still implement its Labor Day Maximum Enforcement Period, or MEP.
The CHP advises all drivers to take precautions that keep themselves safe behind the wheel and protect others – such as buckling up, avoiding distractions, adhering to a safe and legal speed, and never driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
Last year during the Labor Day holiday weekend, 45 people were killed in crashes throughout
California. Nearly three-quarters of all the vehicle occupants killed within CHP jurisdiction were not wearing a seat belt.
In addition, the CHP made more than 1,000 arrests for driving under the influence during the 78-hour enforcement effort in 2019.
“Getting behind the wheel of a vehicle while under the influence is extremely dangerous, not only to the person driving but to everyone on the road with them,” said CHP Commissioner Warren Stanley. “If you travel this holiday weekend, make smart decisions and drive to arrive.”
To help keep California’s roadways safe and assist motorists this weekend, all available CHP officers will be on patrol for the MEP, which begins at 6:01 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 4, and continues through 11:59 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 7.
This year, in addition to the MEP, the Office of Community Outreach and Media Relations produced a powerful public service announcement on the devastating impact driving under the influence had on a CHP officer and his family. You can watch the documentary called Falling here; it’s also presented above.
Over the past few years, the CHP increased its training efforts to detect impaired drivers. All CHP officers and sergeants have received additional training in the detection of impaired drivers.
California also has the highest number of personnel trained as Drug Recognition Experts, or DREs, in the nation. For the Labor Day MEP, DREs will be on duty throughout the state.
The CHP also reminds Californians to take safety precautions recommended by the California Department of Public Health to protect themselves, their families, and others from COVID-19 including physical distancing, wearing a face-covering if you go out in public, washing your hands for 20 seconds, and remaining at home if you become sick.
- Details
- Written by: Lake County News reports
The area will be reopened to the public at 9 a.m. Friday, Sept. 4, for hiking, biking, hunting, horseback riding and camping.
Public lands in and adjacent to the monument were temporarily closed on Aug. 19, as a safety precaution due to the proximity of the LNU Lighting Complex Fire.
Portions of the Cache Creek Natural Area north of the County Road 40 Bridge will reopen, including the Cache Creek Ridge Trail, Cache Creek Wilderness, Cowboy Camp and the associated equestrian area, Highbridge Trailhead, Redbud Trail and Perkins Creek Ridge Trail. The Buck Island Rafting Area will reopen, but no vehicle access will be available.
These areas are being reopened as they were not impacted by the fire. However, Blue Ridge Trail, Fiske Creek Trail and Frog Pond Trail remain closed due to wildland fire activity.
BLM closure orders remain in effect for Cedar Roughs Wilderness; Knoxville Management Area, including the Knoxville Off-Highway Vehicle Recreation Area, Hunting Creek Campground and the North Staging Area; Berryessa Management Area; as well scattered tracts at Stebbins Cold Canyon, in Napa, Solano and Yolo counties.
The burn area is still under an evacuation order, as well as a closure order by the Sonoma County Health Officer.
Multiple fires have merged to form the LNU Lightning Complex, which has burned more than 375,000 acres in six counties: Colusa, Lake, Napa, Solano, Sonoma and Yolo.
The public is reminded to stay vigilant on current fire conditions, adhere to road closures and any evacuation warnings. Please also drive slowly and yield to emergency personnel in the area.
The latest fire information is available here.
Resource specialists are assessing the burned areas and BLM will reopen these areas as soon as they can do so safely.
For specific questions, call the Ukiah Field Office at 707-468-4000.