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The USDA Forest Service reported that it is supporting fire suppression efforts in California, where two massive wildfires burn at opposite ends of the state.
Both fires – the Camp in Butte County and the Woolsey fire in Los Angeles and Ventura counties – started on Nov. 8
“The people of California are in need of our support,” said James Hubbard, Under Secretary for Natural Resources and Environment. “USDA’s Forest Service firefighters and law enforcement are standing shoulder to shoulder with our citizens, state and local partners to help communities recover and stop the devastation.”
At 138,000 acres in size, the Camp fire in the north started along the edge of the Plumas National Forest within the State Responsibility Area.
In just a week, the fire has devastated the town of Paradise in Butte County, where more than 10,300 structures have been destroyed and 56 fatalities have been reported.
An additional 15,500 structures, along with major power, transportation, and communications infrastructure, continue to be threatened. Another 8,876 acres have burned on private timber lands and Plumas National Forest.
At only 35-percent containment, the fire shows little sign of slowing down.
“Firefighters and law enforcement from the city, county, state, and Federal levels are proving their tenacity and resolve in answering their call to service. We owe them our gratitude,” said Hubbard.
The Forest Service is in unified command with Cal Fire, the Butte County Sheriff’s Office and the Paradise Police Department by providing 485 personnel, including five crews, three helicopters, 66 engines and two bulldozers.
The Forest Service is also supporting the Butte County Sheriff’s Department by providing 26 law enforcement investigators to help respond to a backlog of 911 calls. Law enforcement investigators also are conducting welfare checks of citizens unaccounted for and assisting with mandatory evacuations.
To the south, the Woolsey fire is burning in Ventura and Los Angeles counties.
The fire has already claimed three lives, burned 98,362 acres, including 83 percent of all National Parks Service land in the Santa Monica Mountains. To date, the fire has claimed more than 500 structures and continues to threaten an additional 57,000 structures.
The Woolsey fire was 52-percent contained as of Wednesday night, and is being fought by a team led by Cal Fire, the Ventura County Fire Department, Ventura County Sheriff Department, Los Angeles County Fire Department, Los Angeles County Sheriff Department and the National Park Service.
The USDA Forest Service has also provided 174 personnel to assist, including three crews and 20 engines.
The cause of both fires is still under investigation.
Both fires – the Camp in Butte County and the Woolsey fire in Los Angeles and Ventura counties – started on Nov. 8
“The people of California are in need of our support,” said James Hubbard, Under Secretary for Natural Resources and Environment. “USDA’s Forest Service firefighters and law enforcement are standing shoulder to shoulder with our citizens, state and local partners to help communities recover and stop the devastation.”
At 138,000 acres in size, the Camp fire in the north started along the edge of the Plumas National Forest within the State Responsibility Area.
In just a week, the fire has devastated the town of Paradise in Butte County, where more than 10,300 structures have been destroyed and 56 fatalities have been reported.
An additional 15,500 structures, along with major power, transportation, and communications infrastructure, continue to be threatened. Another 8,876 acres have burned on private timber lands and Plumas National Forest.
At only 35-percent containment, the fire shows little sign of slowing down.
“Firefighters and law enforcement from the city, county, state, and Federal levels are proving their tenacity and resolve in answering their call to service. We owe them our gratitude,” said Hubbard.
The Forest Service is in unified command with Cal Fire, the Butte County Sheriff’s Office and the Paradise Police Department by providing 485 personnel, including five crews, three helicopters, 66 engines and two bulldozers.
The Forest Service is also supporting the Butte County Sheriff’s Department by providing 26 law enforcement investigators to help respond to a backlog of 911 calls. Law enforcement investigators also are conducting welfare checks of citizens unaccounted for and assisting with mandatory evacuations.
To the south, the Woolsey fire is burning in Ventura and Los Angeles counties.
The fire has already claimed three lives, burned 98,362 acres, including 83 percent of all National Parks Service land in the Santa Monica Mountains. To date, the fire has claimed more than 500 structures and continues to threaten an additional 57,000 structures.
The Woolsey fire was 52-percent contained as of Wednesday night, and is being fought by a team led by Cal Fire, the Ventura County Fire Department, Ventura County Sheriff Department, Los Angeles County Fire Department, Los Angeles County Sheriff Department and the National Park Service.
The USDA Forest Service has also provided 174 personnel to assist, including three crews and 20 engines.
The cause of both fires is still under investigation.
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Continuing air quality issues due to the devastating Camp fire in Butte County have led several Lake County school districts to decide they will be closed for the remainder of the week.
On Tuesday night, Kelseyville, Konocti and Middletown Unified school districts announced closures for the rest of this week, while Lakeport Unified reported that it will be closed on Wednesday.
Kelseyville and Konocti Unified district officials reported on Facebook that those districts would resume normal operations on Nov. 26, after the Thanksgiving vacation.
The Upper Lake Unified School District reported that its governing board decided that schools there will remain open, and that monitoring of the situation will continue.
Lucerne Elementary School reported that it also will be open on Wednesday.
The Lake County Office of Education’s Hance Community School and Clearlake Creativity School will be closed on Wednesday, as will all of its preschools, with the exception of Lucerne. The agency said its preschools follow the lead of the host school.
As of Tuesday night, the Camp fire had burned 130,000 acres and nearly 8,000 structures, with 48 confirmed dead, making it the most devastating fire in California’s recorded history.
A number of local school districts had been closed late last week due to the smoke from the Camp fire, which began Thursday, as Lake County News has reported.
On Tuesday morning, following the Veterans Day weekend, Lakeport Unified, the Lake County Office of Education’s Hance and Clearlake Creativity schools, Lucerne Elementary, Kelseyville Unified, Konocti Unified and Middletown Unified canceled classes. Upper Lake Unified remained open.
In explaining the air quality conditions, Air Pollution Control Officer Doug Gearhart of the Lake County Quality Management District said Tuesday that smoke from the Camp fire settled in and remained throughout Lake County in the overnight hours, with most areas experiencing heavy smoke or haze with air quality reaching “unhealthy” to “very unhealthy” ranges.
The Tuesday night closure decisions followed air quality testing completed earlier in the day in school district classrooms and other common indoor areas with assistance from the Lake County Air Quality Management District, according to Rob Young, emergency preparedness and special projects coordinator for the Lake County Office of Education.
During Tuesday’s indoor testing, it was determined that the air quality rating was unhealthy for sensitive groups in many classrooms and school buildings. Children under the age of 18 are considered a “sensitive group,” Young said.
Young said school staff throughout Lake County will continue to actively monitoring air quality levels to ensure student safety.
In making their separate announcements, district officials explained the closures in light of those testing results.
Lakeport Unified Superintendent April Leiferman said in a post on the district’s Facebook page on Tuesday night that, although the air quality outside had improved a bit on Tuesday, the inside air was tested in classrooms and buildings throughout the district.
“Unfortunately, all classrooms that were monitored registered in the unhealthy for under 18 and unhealthy range. This means that even with the doors closed, the inside air is still too smokey for our children,” Leiferman wrote.
Similarly, Middletown Unified reported on its Facebook page that officials there discovered “discovered that the air quality in some of our classrooms and gym, after four days of being closed up, is at unhealthy levels or high moderate levels, very close to unhealthy. Our concern must always be the health of our students and staff.”
The post continued, “A second consideration is that all children are considered a sensitive group in terms of air quality. This means they need to stay indoors when air quality index is higher than 100. The forecast is for our air quality to stay well above 100 for the rest of the week. With the air quality in our classrooms being close to unhealthy or unhealthy, staying indoors may not be a healthy option.”
While acknowledging the unhealthy air quality conditions, Mendocino College said Tuesday that all of its locations were open for normal business hours going forward unless otherwise posted. The district encouraged everyone on campus to wear N-95 masks when outside with masks available at the vice president’s office on the Ukiah campus while supplies last.
The Lake County Campus of Woodland Community College said classes will be in session on Wednesday, with instructors to work with students who are unable to attend classes.
The Web site PurpleAir showed air sensor readings around Lake County that predominantly were in the “unhealthy” range, which conditions in Clearlake Oaks and in Cobb in the lower “warning” category.
Gearhart said Tuesday that Lake County’s air quality conditions remained in the “unhealthy” range.
He said the overnight forecast indicates a potential for settling of smoke into the basin. In areas that become impacted by smoke, “unhealthy” or “hazardous” air quality may be experienced. With light Northwest winds in the forecast, there is a potential for improving conditions through this week.
Weather forecasts do not show significant improvement in the next few days, but minor variations in wind direction can result in improved conditions, and all Lake County residents should be prepared for smoke throughout the region until the fire is out, Gearhart said.
Email Elizabeth Larson at
CLEARLAKE, Calif. – At its meeting last week the Clearlake City Council welcomed new staff members, honored longtime employees, heard a report on the city’s Halloween event and discussed park projects.
The Nov. 8 meeting started off with Police Chief Andrew White swearing in new police Officer Britanya Shores and dispatcher Taylor Mackey.
Shores, a Clearlake native, initially was hired by the department in 2017 as a community services officer and attended the Basic Police Academy at the Santa Rosa Junior College Public Safety Training Center.
Mackey grew up in Middletown, graduating from Middletown High School, and taking college courses and working several jobs – including in a restaurant, as an instructional aid and a medical assistant – before her hire as a dispatcher.
“Welcome to the team,” Mayor Bruno Sabatier told them.
Several city staffers also received certificates of appreciation for service: Renee Crabbendam, payroll clerk; Police Officer Trevor Franklin; Sgt. Tim Hobbs; and Wendy England, police dispatcher.
White said one of the challenges his department is facing is recruitment and retention, which are priorities. He thanked the employees for their dedication and the work they do. “We all think about your safety all the time.”
Sabatier presented a proclamation declaring November as Native American Month proclamation to City Manager Greg Folsom, a member of the Choctaw tribe.
Folsom said he’s one of the few tribal members in California who is a city manager, and said Lake County is unique because of tribal membership in local governing bodies. He referred to the Board of Supervisors, which includes Moke Simon of Middletown Rancheria and, after the start of the year, EJ Crandall, of Robinson Rancheria.
Also on Thursday, City Clerk Melissa Swanson reported on the 10th annual City Hall-Oween, which hosted hundreds of community members.
This year’s theme was superheroes, and the all-donation event was organized by Tina Viramontes, Nicki Burrell and Vicki Leonard, Swanson said.
Swanson said they gave out “teal pumpkins” with small toys and pencils for children with allergies.
She said 336 slices of pizza were given out, and she followed up by estimating that Folsom ate a third of them (when Lake County News asked him later about his alleged pizza intake, Folsom denied it).
There also were 343 goodie bags given out during the three-hour event, Swanson said.
Keeping with the superhero theme, Swanson showed a picture of Assistant City Manager Alan Flora dressed as Folsom.
“We had a huge turnout this year, more I think than in any other year,” with the possible exception of a rainy year, according to Swanson.
In other business, on Thursday Folsom took to the council a discussion of potential programs for inclusion in the state Community Development Block Grant application.
The CDBG program authorizes the use of funds to assist low- and moderate-income families or aid in the prevention or elimination of slums and blight, according to Folsom’s written report.
Folsom told the council that the city held a hearing on Sept. 18 to discuss projects to apply for, with a second public hearing likely to take place in January.
He said the city is eligible to apply for one shovel-ready project, but the total cost can’t exceed $3 million. That project would need to be under construction within 12 months of the award.
Based on a study of the requirements, city staff’s top recommendations to the council were the Austin Park and Highlands Park rehabilitation projects, he said. The application is due in January with an award expected in the spring.
In response to questions from council members, Folsom estimated that the Austin Park project would be more than $2 million if the new pier is included, and about $1 million without it. Highlands Park would take more than $1 million for the park and $500,000 for road improvements.
Folsom recommended using the grant to pursue the Highlands Park work, explaining that other efforts are afoot to fund Austin Park.
He said the city’s grant consultant, Adams Ashby Group, which is completing the application, believes the city has a higher potential for success in securing the funds with Highlands Park.
Council members ultimately supported putting Highlands Park at the top of the list.
“I’m in favor of Highlands Park without forgetting Austin Park,” said Sabatier.
At the Thursday meeting Chief White also gave a demonstration of the new Animal Control Department’s kennel tracking software; the council approved an agreement with Tyler Technologies for provision of InCode 10 software and related services to upgrade the city’s finance, payroll and purchasing systems; a proposed agreement between the city and the county of Lake for collection of special taxes, assessments, fees, charges and abatements was approved; and held a public hearing for the second reading and adoption of building code amendments to the Clearlake Municipal Code; and the council held a first reading of an ordinance to amend Clearlake Municipal Code regarding sidewalk vendors and door-to-door sales in order to comply with new state law.
Email Elizabeth Larson at
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Holiday food boxes will be available to those in need.
A cooperative undertaking among Lakeport Rotary, NCO Community Action, Lake County Hunger Task Force, Lake Family Resource Center, and the Lake County Record Bee, the boxes will be distributed in December before the holidays.
The funds for this food comes from the Lake County Holiday Fund which was collected during last year’s holiday season, as well as a grant from the Lake County Wine Alliance.
Funds for next year’s program will be collected from generous donors in our communities through Umpqua Banks branches and WestAmerica Bank branches during this year’s fund drive.
Registration for holiday food boxes for the communities of Kelseyville, Finley, Lakeport, Upper Lake, Nice and Lucerne and will be accepted beginning Monday, Nov. 26, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Lake Family Resource Center, located at 5350 Main St. in Kelseyville.
Applicants must provide a photo ID and proof of physical address. The first 500 people will receive boxes on Wednesday, Dec. 19, at an assigned time. Times will be assigned upon registration.
Registration for holiday food boxes for those living in Glenhaven, Clearlake Oaks, Spring Valley, Clearlake and Lower Lake will be conducted beginning on Tuesday, Dec. 4, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. in Lower Lake Park, located at 16375 Second St.
On Wednesday, Dec. 5, registrants can come to either the Clearlake Oaks United Methodist Church from 9 to 11 a.m., located at 12487 The Plaza in Clearlake Oaks, or the Highlands Senior Center from 1 to 5 p.m., located at 3245 Bowers in Clearlake.
The last opportunity to register will be on Thursday, Dec. 6, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., again at the Highlands Senior Center.
The first 700 people will receive boxes at an assigned time on Saturday, Dec. 15. If 700 people register before Dec. 6, there will be no further registration conducted. Just as with the other boxes, registrants must have a photo ID and proof of physical address.
The final day to register for Spirit of the Season boxes, for those living in Cobb or Middletown, will be Wednesday, Nov. 21, at the United Community Church in Middletown, from 4 to 6 p.m., located at 15833 Armstrong. Those boxes will be distributed at a location to be announced upon registration.
In all locations, only one box per address will be allowed.
A cooperative undertaking among Lakeport Rotary, NCO Community Action, Lake County Hunger Task Force, Lake Family Resource Center, and the Lake County Record Bee, the boxes will be distributed in December before the holidays.
The funds for this food comes from the Lake County Holiday Fund which was collected during last year’s holiday season, as well as a grant from the Lake County Wine Alliance.
Funds for next year’s program will be collected from generous donors in our communities through Umpqua Banks branches and WestAmerica Bank branches during this year’s fund drive.
Registration for holiday food boxes for the communities of Kelseyville, Finley, Lakeport, Upper Lake, Nice and Lucerne and will be accepted beginning Monday, Nov. 26, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Lake Family Resource Center, located at 5350 Main St. in Kelseyville.
Applicants must provide a photo ID and proof of physical address. The first 500 people will receive boxes on Wednesday, Dec. 19, at an assigned time. Times will be assigned upon registration.
Registration for holiday food boxes for those living in Glenhaven, Clearlake Oaks, Spring Valley, Clearlake and Lower Lake will be conducted beginning on Tuesday, Dec. 4, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. in Lower Lake Park, located at 16375 Second St.
On Wednesday, Dec. 5, registrants can come to either the Clearlake Oaks United Methodist Church from 9 to 11 a.m., located at 12487 The Plaza in Clearlake Oaks, or the Highlands Senior Center from 1 to 5 p.m., located at 3245 Bowers in Clearlake.
The last opportunity to register will be on Thursday, Dec. 6, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., again at the Highlands Senior Center.
The first 700 people will receive boxes at an assigned time on Saturday, Dec. 15. If 700 people register before Dec. 6, there will be no further registration conducted. Just as with the other boxes, registrants must have a photo ID and proof of physical address.
The final day to register for Spirit of the Season boxes, for those living in Cobb or Middletown, will be Wednesday, Nov. 21, at the United Community Church in Middletown, from 4 to 6 p.m., located at 15833 Armstrong. Those boxes will be distributed at a location to be announced upon registration.
In all locations, only one box per address will be allowed.
KELSEYVILLE – An upcoming fundraiser will support the work of Operation Tango Mike.
On Saturday, Nov. 17, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Operation Tango Mike and KonocTees Screen Printing will host Tees for Troops, at 3897 Main St. in Kelseyville.
Various apparel choices will be available and the Operation Tango Mike logo will be emblazoned while you visit. A portion of profits from each purchase will be donated to Operation Tango Mike.
The all-volunteer nonprofit continues to ship 90 to 100 monthly care packages to deployed military personnel.
Visitors are invited to drop by the event to learn more about Operation Tango Mike, to bring donations of items for care packages and to peruse the selection of items offered by KonocTees.
“This event supports our troops, Operation Tango Mike and local business. It’s a win-win-win,” said Ginny Craven, founder of Operation Tango Mike.
Clay Godbout, a military veteran and owner of KonocTees said,“This is an easy way for people to get what they want, rather it’s a hoodie or tee shirt. It’s a good way to do Christmas shopping and support the troops too.”
On the third Thursday of every month, volunteers gather at 6 p.m. at Umpqua Bank, 805 11th Street, Lakeport, to prepare care packages for the troops.
Packing parties are family friendly and children are encouraged to participate.
For further information or to add someone to the care package recipient list, please call 707-349-2838 or e-mailThis email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .
On Saturday, Nov. 17, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Operation Tango Mike and KonocTees Screen Printing will host Tees for Troops, at 3897 Main St. in Kelseyville.
Various apparel choices will be available and the Operation Tango Mike logo will be emblazoned while you visit. A portion of profits from each purchase will be donated to Operation Tango Mike.
The all-volunteer nonprofit continues to ship 90 to 100 monthly care packages to deployed military personnel.
Visitors are invited to drop by the event to learn more about Operation Tango Mike, to bring donations of items for care packages and to peruse the selection of items offered by KonocTees.
“This event supports our troops, Operation Tango Mike and local business. It’s a win-win-win,” said Ginny Craven, founder of Operation Tango Mike.
Clay Godbout, a military veteran and owner of KonocTees said,“This is an easy way for people to get what they want, rather it’s a hoodie or tee shirt. It’s a good way to do Christmas shopping and support the troops too.”
On the third Thursday of every month, volunteers gather at 6 p.m. at Umpqua Bank, 805 11th Street, Lakeport, to prepare care packages for the troops.
Packing parties are family friendly and children are encouraged to participate.
For further information or to add someone to the care package recipient list, please call 707-349-2838 or e-mail
KELSEYVILLE, Calif. – The California Highway Patrol’s Clear Lake Area Office is pleased to welcome its new commander, Lt. Randy England.
Lt. England took charge of the Clear Lake Area on Monday, Oct. 1, after having served as the commander of the Garberville Area for the past two years.
He succeeds Lt. Hector Paredes, who retired in August, as Lake County News has reported.
England graduated from the CHP Academy in 1997 and was assigned to the San Francisco Area for the first year and a half of his career.
He transferred to the Ukiah Area in December of 1998 and was privileged to be assigned many duties during his tenure in Ukiah.
England has served as public information officer, range officer, physical methods of arrests officer and court officer. He also served in the Mendocino Major Crimes Task Force for over three years.
He was promoted to sergeant into the Garberville Area in 2012.
“I have lived in this area for the majority of my life, and over the past two years, I have been privileged to serve as the commander for the Garberville Area,” said Lt. England. “I am honored and excited to work in this community and with the allied agencies, as well as providing the highest level of service to the people of Lake County.”
Lt. England took charge of the Clear Lake Area on Monday, Oct. 1, after having served as the commander of the Garberville Area for the past two years.
He succeeds Lt. Hector Paredes, who retired in August, as Lake County News has reported.
England graduated from the CHP Academy in 1997 and was assigned to the San Francisco Area for the first year and a half of his career.
He transferred to the Ukiah Area in December of 1998 and was privileged to be assigned many duties during his tenure in Ukiah.
England has served as public information officer, range officer, physical methods of arrests officer and court officer. He also served in the Mendocino Major Crimes Task Force for over three years.
He was promoted to sergeant into the Garberville Area in 2012.
“I have lived in this area for the majority of my life, and over the past two years, I have been privileged to serve as the commander for the Garberville Area,” said Lt. England. “I am honored and excited to work in this community and with the allied agencies, as well as providing the highest level of service to the people of Lake County.”