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NORTHERN CALIFORNIA – Firefighters are wrapping up efforts to fully contain the Sand fire in Yolo County’s Capay Valley.
Cal Fire said the Sand fire, which began Saturday afternoon near Guinda, remained at 2,512 acres with growth at 90 percent as of Wednesday night.
Seven non-residential structures have been destroyed, and the fire had at one point necessitated evacuations along County Road 41 and a closure of Highway 16.
Cal Fire said fire crews made good progress on the fire on Wednesday, constructing new fire line and strengthening current lines.
Fire crews were set to continue that work overnight, along with patrolling and mopping up hot spots.
The resources assigned to the fire on Wednesday night included 622 firefighters, 45 fire engines, 26 fire crews, one helicopter, four dozers and four water tenders, Cal Fire reported.
While evacuation orders and road closures have been lifted, Cal Fire asked the public to be aware of firefighters still working in the fire area and to drive carefully.
In other state fire news, Cal Fire said the McMillan fire burning in San Luis Obispo County was 2,000 acres and 50-percent contained.
The fire began early Wednesday afternoon. Within hours, firefighters had stopped forward spread, Cal Fire reported.
Email Elizabeth Larson atThis email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . Follow her on Twitter, @ERLarson, or Lake County News, @LakeCoNews.
Cal Fire said the Sand fire, which began Saturday afternoon near Guinda, remained at 2,512 acres with growth at 90 percent as of Wednesday night.
Seven non-residential structures have been destroyed, and the fire had at one point necessitated evacuations along County Road 41 and a closure of Highway 16.
Cal Fire said fire crews made good progress on the fire on Wednesday, constructing new fire line and strengthening current lines.
Fire crews were set to continue that work overnight, along with patrolling and mopping up hot spots.
The resources assigned to the fire on Wednesday night included 622 firefighters, 45 fire engines, 26 fire crews, one helicopter, four dozers and four water tenders, Cal Fire reported.
While evacuation orders and road closures have been lifted, Cal Fire asked the public to be aware of firefighters still working in the fire area and to drive carefully.
In other state fire news, Cal Fire said the McMillan fire burning in San Luis Obispo County was 2,000 acres and 50-percent contained.
The fire began early Wednesday afternoon. Within hours, firefighters had stopped forward spread, Cal Fire reported.
Email Elizabeth Larson at
NORTHERN CALIFORNIA – State Sen. Bill Dodd, D-Napa, announced Wednesday that the 2019-20 state budget will include $9.25 million in funding for research to better understand and forecast atmospheric rivers, leading to improved flood control and water retention in a state grappling with the effects of climate change and chronic drought.
“This is a smart investment to protect our precious water resources in the most efficient way possible,” Sen. Dodd said. “It will give our state the additional tools it needs to forecast extreme rain and control how much water we save as we face increasingly unpredictable conditions brought on by global warming.”
The funding, which is expected to be approved by the Legislature this week, will allow the Department of Water Resources to research how it can better forecast the intensity and landfall locations of atmospheric rivers.
Lake County has been hit hard by atmospheric river storms that occurred earlier this year and in 2017.
About half of the state’s annual rainfall and 90 percent of its flooding come from such events.
Water managers may use the forecasts to retain water they would otherwise release, resulting in a cost savings and a more reliable water supply, while preserving and enhancing flood control capabilities.
Dodd advocated for the funding along with a coalition of state water agencies, including Sonoma Water, which have been studying the phenomena of atmospheric rivers as part of their water management strategies.
In addition to engaging Gov. Gavin Newsom’s team, Sen. Dodd worked with the Legislature’s budget committees to secure the funding, along with Assemblymember Jim Wood, D-Healdsburg, and others.
“This critical state funding of $9.25 million is needed to accelerate research and improved decision-making tools such as Forecast Informed Reservoir Operations, enabling water suppliers to more accurately track, monitor and respond to major storm events,” said Grant Davis, general manager of Sonoma Water.
Dodd – who formerly represented Lake County in the State Assembly – represents the Third Senate District, which includes all or portions of Napa, Yolo, Sonoma, Solano, Sacramento and Contra Costa counties.
“This is a smart investment to protect our precious water resources in the most efficient way possible,” Sen. Dodd said. “It will give our state the additional tools it needs to forecast extreme rain and control how much water we save as we face increasingly unpredictable conditions brought on by global warming.”
The funding, which is expected to be approved by the Legislature this week, will allow the Department of Water Resources to research how it can better forecast the intensity and landfall locations of atmospheric rivers.
Lake County has been hit hard by atmospheric river storms that occurred earlier this year and in 2017.
About half of the state’s annual rainfall and 90 percent of its flooding come from such events.
Water managers may use the forecasts to retain water they would otherwise release, resulting in a cost savings and a more reliable water supply, while preserving and enhancing flood control capabilities.
Dodd advocated for the funding along with a coalition of state water agencies, including Sonoma Water, which have been studying the phenomena of atmospheric rivers as part of their water management strategies.
In addition to engaging Gov. Gavin Newsom’s team, Sen. Dodd worked with the Legislature’s budget committees to secure the funding, along with Assemblymember Jim Wood, D-Healdsburg, and others.
“This critical state funding of $9.25 million is needed to accelerate research and improved decision-making tools such as Forecast Informed Reservoir Operations, enabling water suppliers to more accurately track, monitor and respond to major storm events,” said Grant Davis, general manager of Sonoma Water.
Dodd – who formerly represented Lake County in the State Assembly – represents the Third Senate District, which includes all or portions of Napa, Yolo, Sonoma, Solano, Sacramento and Contra Costa counties.
LUCERNE, Calif. – As fire season gets under way, Northshore Fire on Tuesday welcomed its four newest firefighters, young men starting their career with the vast fire district.
In the Tuesday afternoon’s ceremony, as district board members, staff and family members looked on, Chief Mike Ciancio presented badges to firefighter/paramedics Brett Hughes and Tylor Rial, and firefighter/EMTs Owen Lawler and Alex Miller.
Ciancio said the four new firefighters, at the start of their careers, have been with the district for about four months.
With their hires, the district – one of the largest in the state based on size, at 357 square miles – is now at full staffing, Ciancio said.
That staffing includes 19 full-time firefighters, three chief officers, two office staff, about a dozen volunteers, a 14-member support team and five-member Northshore Dive Team, he said.
Ciancio told the group that gathered at the Lucerne headquarters on Tuesday that the ceremony was part of a new swearing-in tradition.
For some of the new staff, firefighting is a family tradition.
That’s the case for Lawler, who started as a fire explorer. His father is a Cal Fire employee currently assigned to the Sand fire in neighboring Yolo County.
Rial also has a family fire background. His father, a soon-to-retire Oakland firefighter, was on hand for the ceremony.
Before administering the oath, Ciancio read the district’s mission statement.
It says: “The mission of the Northshore Fire Protection District is to protect lives, the environment, and property by providing prompt, skillful, and cost effective fire protection and life safety services.”
Ciancio said he believes that statement sums up what citizens expect of the district.
He then led the four firefighters through their oath, which was followed by their family members coming forward to pin on their new badges.
Community members interested in volunteering or otherwise helping the district can call the Lucerne’s headquarters office at 707-274-3100.
More information about the district is available at https://www.northshorefpd.com/ .
Email Elizabeth Larson at
LAKEPORT, Calif. – The Lake County Symphony Association’s 18th annual Lake County Home Wine and Beer Makers’ Festival is returning to Lakeport this weekend.
The festival takes place in Library Park from noon to 5 p.m. Saturday, June 15.
This family-friendly event is a major fundraiser sponsored by volunteers of the Lake County Symphony Association.
All proceeds go to support the symphony association’s music activities, including the acclaimed Lake County Symphony and Youth Orchestra, as well as music programs, classes and scholarships.
The “Winefest” – as it has come to be called – was originated by a group of Lake County Symphony Association members who also were amateur wine and beer makers as a way to raise needed funds for the symphony.
For the past 17 years, home winemakers and brewers from all over Northern California have spent this day pouring samples for the public, and are eligible to enter their products for professional judging.
Gold, silver and bronze ribbons are awarded for a wide range of varietals, and amateurs also have a chance to win the popular “Peoples’ Choice” awards voted on by attendees. Results of the judging are announced during the festival.
The event features dozens of vendors offering arts, crafts, agricultural products and food, as well as many of Lake County’s leading commercial wineries and brewers.
There will be the always-popular silent auction and the "barrel of wine" raffle, which gives the winner a huge assortment of Lake County wines.
Since the fundraiser is all about music, wine tasters will enjoy live music from a variety of sources, including the David Neft Duo, featuring David Neft on keyboard and Steve DuBois on drums.
Commercial wineries that will be on hand to show support for the Lake County Symphony and offer tastes include Laujor, Smiling Dogs Ranch, Kaz, Rosa d’Oro, Mt. Konocti and Don Angel.
Beer lovers can look forward to samples from O’Meara’s Bros. Brewing Co. They are not eligible for prizes; these are restricted to the amateur participants.
Attendees won't be going hungry either; there will be a variety of delicious food choices that include Gabriel Martinez’s Mexican food, Villa’s Snow Cones and lumpia Filipino food from Bing’s Kitchen. Dancing Poly Farm is offering grilled lamb burgers, (topped with a garlic, feta, yogurt aioli) served with a cucumber tomato salad, in addition to other menu choices. The Yard, one of the newer Lakeport restaurants, will have sliders and hotdogs on sale.
Other food choices include Smokehouse Jerky, pre-packaged cheeses from Tres Bien Creamery, balsamic vinegar and oils from California Balsamic and honey and bee products from NBR Bees.
As has happened for the past several years, the Lakeport chapter of the Norcal Aircooled Group of auto enthusiasts will share the day and the venue with the Winefest, with some four dozen members on hand to show off their collectible cars.
This is the second year that Winefest will partner with Kelseyville’s Baconfest to offer a reduced ticket price for those who plan to attend both events over the Father’s Day weekend. Baconfest takes place on Sunday, June 16.
Admission to the Winefest is $25 per wine taster (no sharing please!) with advance purchase, or $30 at the gate, and includes a commemorative wine glass.
For advance tickets, several outlets are listed on the LCSA Web site as well as a link to Eventbrite and to the Lake County Home Wine and Beer Makers Festival Facebook page.
Children and leashed pets are welcome, although tastings are restricted to those 21 years and older.
CLEARLAKE, Calif. – The Clearlake City Council will hold a budget workshop this week ahead of its regular meeting, during which it will consider approving the new fiscal year budget.
The council will meet for the budget workshop at 4 p.m. Thursday, June 13, in the council chambers at Clearlake City Hall, 14050 Olympic Drive.
During that workshop, the council will hold a swearing-in ceremony for Russell Perdock, who the council voted last week to appoint to fill Mayor Nick Bennett’s unexpired term, as Lake County News has reported.
The council also will review the 2019-20 proposed budget during the workshop, and hold a closed session to discuss employee negotiations, the city’s lawsuit against Pacific Gas and Electric and a lawsuit filed against the city, Matamoros v. City of Clearlake.
During the regular meeting, which begins at 6 p.m., the council will host a swearing-in of new Police Officer Jesus Loera, hear a presentation by Lake County Health Services on tobacco prevention and education, and present a proclamation declaring June as LGBT Pride Month.
On the agenda on Thursday, the council will hold a public hearing for adoption of the appropriations, or Gann limit, for FY 2019-20 and designating the formula to be used for the limit’s calculation.
Public hearings also are scheduled to consider adoption of the city of Clearlake’s budget for Fiscal Year 2019-20 and the city’s fee schedule for FY 2019-20.
The council also will hold a public hearing for a proposed ordinance requiring registration of vacant, abandoned or foreclosed commercial buildings, with a second reading and adoption of the ordinance planned on June 27.
In council business, the council will consider approving a two-year agreement between the county of Lake, city of Lakeport and city of Clearlake for support of Lake County PEG TV station, as well as approval of an agreement between the county of Lake and city of Clearlake regarding a road maintenance program for 40th Avenue, Davis Avenue and Moss Avenue for Fiscal Year 2018-19 through FY 2023-24.
The council also will discuss traffic calming measures and mayor’s appointments for this year.
On the consent agenda – items considered noncontroversial and usually accepted as a slate on one vote – are warrant registers; continuation of a declaration of local emergency issued on Oct. 9, 2017, and ratified by council action Oct. 12, 2017; second reading of Ordinance No. 229-2019 amending Section 5 and 18 of the Clearlake Municipal Code related to cannabis; a resolution No. 2019-24, approving a temporary street closure for the 62nd annual July 4 parade on July 6, 2019; and minutes of the April 10, 2019, Lake County Vector Control District Board meeting.
Email Elizabeth Larson atThis 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 council will meet for the budget workshop at 4 p.m. Thursday, June 13, in the council chambers at Clearlake City Hall, 14050 Olympic Drive.
During that workshop, the council will hold a swearing-in ceremony for Russell Perdock, who the council voted last week to appoint to fill Mayor Nick Bennett’s unexpired term, as Lake County News has reported.
The council also will review the 2019-20 proposed budget during the workshop, and hold a closed session to discuss employee negotiations, the city’s lawsuit against Pacific Gas and Electric and a lawsuit filed against the city, Matamoros v. City of Clearlake.
During the regular meeting, which begins at 6 p.m., the council will host a swearing-in of new Police Officer Jesus Loera, hear a presentation by Lake County Health Services on tobacco prevention and education, and present a proclamation declaring June as LGBT Pride Month.
On the agenda on Thursday, the council will hold a public hearing for adoption of the appropriations, or Gann limit, for FY 2019-20 and designating the formula to be used for the limit’s calculation.
Public hearings also are scheduled to consider adoption of the city of Clearlake’s budget for Fiscal Year 2019-20 and the city’s fee schedule for FY 2019-20.
The council also will hold a public hearing for a proposed ordinance requiring registration of vacant, abandoned or foreclosed commercial buildings, with a second reading and adoption of the ordinance planned on June 27.
In council business, the council will consider approving a two-year agreement between the county of Lake, city of Lakeport and city of Clearlake for support of Lake County PEG TV station, as well as approval of an agreement between the county of Lake and city of Clearlake regarding a road maintenance program for 40th Avenue, Davis Avenue and Moss Avenue for Fiscal Year 2018-19 through FY 2023-24.
The council also will discuss traffic calming measures and mayor’s appointments for this year.
On the consent agenda – items considered noncontroversial and usually accepted as a slate on one vote – are warrant registers; continuation of a declaration of local emergency issued on Oct. 9, 2017, and ratified by council action Oct. 12, 2017; second reading of Ordinance No. 229-2019 amending Section 5 and 18 of the Clearlake Municipal Code related to cannabis; a resolution No. 2019-24, approving a temporary street closure for the 62nd annual July 4 parade on July 6, 2019; and minutes of the April 10, 2019, Lake County Vector Control District Board meeting.
Email Elizabeth Larson at
NORTHERN CALIFORNIA – Firefighters on Tuesday pushed the Sand fire in Yolo County closer to full containment, with authorities reopening a closed portion of Highway 16.
Cal Fire said Tuesday evening that the Sand fire, burning since Saturday afternoon near Guinda in the Capay Valley, was up to 70 percent containment.
The fire’s updated size now stands at 2,512 acres. There has been no change in the number of structures burned, which remains at seven, none of them residences, Cal Fire said.
Resources assigned to the fire began to be dialed back on Tuesday, with total fire personnel at 694, along with 65 engines, 26 fire crews, four helicopters, eight dozers and five water tenders, according to Cal Fire’s report.
Cal Fire said fire personnel are now focusing on extinguishing hot spots.
On Tuesday at noon, Highway 16 reopened, with officials reminding travelers to be on the lookout for emergency vehicles in the area.
Cal Fire said the evacuation advisory for the County Road 41 area also was lifted on Tuesday.
Email Elizabeth Larson atThis email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . Follow her on Twitter, @ERLarson, or Lake County News, @LakeCoNews.
Cal Fire said Tuesday evening that the Sand fire, burning since Saturday afternoon near Guinda in the Capay Valley, was up to 70 percent containment.
The fire’s updated size now stands at 2,512 acres. There has been no change in the number of structures burned, which remains at seven, none of them residences, Cal Fire said.
Resources assigned to the fire began to be dialed back on Tuesday, with total fire personnel at 694, along with 65 engines, 26 fire crews, four helicopters, eight dozers and five water tenders, according to Cal Fire’s report.
Cal Fire said fire personnel are now focusing on extinguishing hot spots.
On Tuesday at noon, Highway 16 reopened, with officials reminding travelers to be on the lookout for emergency vehicles in the area.
Cal Fire said the evacuation advisory for the County Road 41 area also was lifted on Tuesday.
Email Elizabeth Larson at