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As California experiences the largest wildfires in the state’s history, Cal Fire’s aviation program is responding to the challenge.
Cal Fire has the largest department-owned fleet of firefighting aircraft, including air tankers and helicopters.
These aircraft are strategically located throughout the state, operating from 13 air attack and 10 helitack bases, which provide quick access to fires within 20 minutes.
“Our aircraft and firefighters are continually being tested, as they fight some of the largest and most destructive wildfires in the State’s history, often in steep and difficult terrain.” said Chief Ken Pimlott, director of Cal Fire. “Our experienced pilots, with their skilled ground crews, are able to get a quick jump on these fast-moving fires to help protect lives and property.”
Records seem to be shattering in 2018, as McClellan Reload Base, near Sacramento, has already set an all-time record for retardant delivered at 5 million gallons, with four months remaining in the year.
Statewide, Cal Fire has delivered more than 11 million gallons of retardant to date, compared to only 7.7 million as of this time in 2017.
Another record broken is the number of flight hours on Cal Fire’s S-2T air tankers. The S-2T is a versatile airtanker that Cal Fire uses to provide fast initial attack delivery of fire retardant on wildfires.
This year, the S-2T flight hours for Jan. 1 through Aug. 31, is 3,299 compared with last year at this date of 3,091, an increase of 208 hours.
“I am extremely proud of all the men and women of Cal Fire, including the staff and contractors in our aviation program,” said Chief Pimlott. “I recognize the increasing demands placed upon our aviation program. We continue to build upon a program that will meet the challenges related to wildland fire in California into the future.”
NORTHERN CALIFORNIA – Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones on Thursday announced that insured residential and commercial losses from the Carr and Mendocino Complex fires top $845 million and are now counted among the most destructive wildfires in the state's history.
The insurance commissioner also provided an update on the insured losses from the 2017 wildfires and 2018 Montecito mudslides and announced a new report that details how climate change contributes to wildfire losses.
"Our wildfire history tells the story of how our fire season has changed over the years from a four-month season to a year-round threat," said Commissioner Jones. "Over the past two decades, the frequency and severity of wildfires has increased and caused significant property damage and the tragic loss of life in the wildland-urban interface areas of the state. Even more troubling is that areas once considered not to be high risk are now being scorched by wildfires."
Data collected by the department shows that the widespread destruction from the Carr and Mendocino Complex fires resulted in damaging or destroying more than 8,800 homes, 329 businesses, and more than 800 private autos, commercials vehicles, and other types of property. More than 10,000 claims have been filed, totaling $845 million in insured losses.
According to Cal Fire, of the Top 20 Most Destructive California Wildfires, in terms of structures destroyed, 17 occurred after Sept. 1. Fire officials and experts warn that potentially the worst is yet to come.
"The Carr and Mendocino Complex fires not only caused staggering losses to thousands of Californians, they devastated entire communities and tragically cost many people their lives, and were among the most destructive fires in our state's history," added Commissioner Jones. "We should remember that the vast majority of California's most destructive fires occurred after September 1st, and fire experts tell us that the worst fires for 2018 may still be ahead of us."
The commissioner also released a new report, “Trial by Fire: Managing Climate Risks Facing Insurers in the Golden State,” which examines the challenges and opportunities associated with climate risk, climate change, and insurance.
The report further shows how climate change is a contributor to wildfire losses in California and discusses Commissioner Jones' efforts to get insurers to consider climate risk and the role insurance can play in addressing the three types of climate risks facing insurance companies: physical, transition and litigation risks.
"Our Trial by Fire report is an important contribution to a better understanding of how climate risk and climate change impact the insurance industry and Californians," said Jones. "As Insurance Commissioner, one of my responsibilities is making sure insurance companies take into account and address climate-related physical, transition and liability risks, which can have consequences for insurers' underwriting and the investing of their reserves. I'd like to thank our partners who joined us to author this report, which provides critical information about the climate-related risks for the insurance sector and Californians and what is and should be done to address those risks."
The report was authored by Dr. Evan Mills, Principal of Energy Associates, a California-based energy and environmental consultancy, the climate policy experts at UC Berkeley School of Law's Center for Law, Energy & the Environment, and the California Department of Insurance.
"The Trial by Fire report is unique in its simultaneous focus on insurance and climate change in the California context, and it is the first of its kind to emanate from the offices of a forward-looking state insurance regulator," said Dr. Evan Mills. "Regulators are the natural entities to look into this, as their role is to safeguard the financial viability of insurers while maintaining availability, affordability, and adequacy of insurance for consumers. As we see in the wildfire data released today, regulators are also important compilers and distributors of raw data on loss costs."
Co-authors from UC Berkeley School of Law, Ted Lamm and Ethan Elkind, along with climate change experts Alice Hill of Stanford University Hoover Institution and Dr. Ben Caldecott of the University of Oxford have provided statements supporting the Trial by Fire report.
The insurance commissioner also provided an update on the insured losses from the 2017 wildfires and 2018 Montecito mudslides and announced a new report that details how climate change contributes to wildfire losses.
"Our wildfire history tells the story of how our fire season has changed over the years from a four-month season to a year-round threat," said Commissioner Jones. "Over the past two decades, the frequency and severity of wildfires has increased and caused significant property damage and the tragic loss of life in the wildland-urban interface areas of the state. Even more troubling is that areas once considered not to be high risk are now being scorched by wildfires."
Data collected by the department shows that the widespread destruction from the Carr and Mendocino Complex fires resulted in damaging or destroying more than 8,800 homes, 329 businesses, and more than 800 private autos, commercials vehicles, and other types of property. More than 10,000 claims have been filed, totaling $845 million in insured losses.
According to Cal Fire, of the Top 20 Most Destructive California Wildfires, in terms of structures destroyed, 17 occurred after Sept. 1. Fire officials and experts warn that potentially the worst is yet to come.
"The Carr and Mendocino Complex fires not only caused staggering losses to thousands of Californians, they devastated entire communities and tragically cost many people their lives, and were among the most destructive fires in our state's history," added Commissioner Jones. "We should remember that the vast majority of California's most destructive fires occurred after September 1st, and fire experts tell us that the worst fires for 2018 may still be ahead of us."
The commissioner also released a new report, “Trial by Fire: Managing Climate Risks Facing Insurers in the Golden State,” which examines the challenges and opportunities associated with climate risk, climate change, and insurance.
The report further shows how climate change is a contributor to wildfire losses in California and discusses Commissioner Jones' efforts to get insurers to consider climate risk and the role insurance can play in addressing the three types of climate risks facing insurance companies: physical, transition and litigation risks.
"Our Trial by Fire report is an important contribution to a better understanding of how climate risk and climate change impact the insurance industry and Californians," said Jones. "As Insurance Commissioner, one of my responsibilities is making sure insurance companies take into account and address climate-related physical, transition and liability risks, which can have consequences for insurers' underwriting and the investing of their reserves. I'd like to thank our partners who joined us to author this report, which provides critical information about the climate-related risks for the insurance sector and Californians and what is and should be done to address those risks."
The report was authored by Dr. Evan Mills, Principal of Energy Associates, a California-based energy and environmental consultancy, the climate policy experts at UC Berkeley School of Law's Center for Law, Energy & the Environment, and the California Department of Insurance.
"The Trial by Fire report is unique in its simultaneous focus on insurance and climate change in the California context, and it is the first of its kind to emanate from the offices of a forward-looking state insurance regulator," said Dr. Evan Mills. "Regulators are the natural entities to look into this, as their role is to safeguard the financial viability of insurers while maintaining availability, affordability, and adequacy of insurance for consumers. As we see in the wildfire data released today, regulators are also important compilers and distributors of raw data on loss costs."
Co-authors from UC Berkeley School of Law, Ted Lamm and Ethan Elkind, along with climate change experts Alice Hill of Stanford University Hoover Institution and Dr. Ben Caldecott of the University of Oxford have provided statements supporting the Trial by Fire report.
Trial by Fire: Managing Climate Risks Facing Insurers in the Golden State by LakeCoNews on Scribd
LAKEPORT, Calif. – Two drivers were seriously injured in a head-on crash near Lakeport on Thursday morning.
The California Highway Patrol’s Clear Lake Area office said Scott Womble, 31, of Kelseyville, and Mandy Robbins, 43, of Upper Lake were injured in the wreck, which occurred at 7:55 a.m. Thursday.
The CHP said Womble was driving a 1999 Mazda B3 pickup northbound on Highway 29 north of Ackley Road at approximately 50 to 55 miles per hour, while Robbins was driving a 2007 GMC Yukon southbound on Highway 29 south of Highway 175/Hopland at approximately 55 miles per hour.
Womble, according to the CHP report, failed to notice he was rapidly approaching a long line of stopped traffic in the northbound lane.
When he realized a rear end collision was imminent, the CHP said Womble abruptly turned his pickup to the left and traveled directly into Robbins’ path.
The CHP said the two vehicles subsequently collided head-on.
Both drivers suffered major injuries, sustaining multiple blunt force trauma, according to the CHP.
Air ambulances flew Womble and Robbins out-of-county to a major trauma center, the CHP said.
The CHP said both drivers were using their seat belts.
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 California Highway Patrol’s Clear Lake Area office said Scott Womble, 31, of Kelseyville, and Mandy Robbins, 43, of Upper Lake were injured in the wreck, which occurred at 7:55 a.m. Thursday.
The CHP said Womble was driving a 1999 Mazda B3 pickup northbound on Highway 29 north of Ackley Road at approximately 50 to 55 miles per hour, while Robbins was driving a 2007 GMC Yukon southbound on Highway 29 south of Highway 175/Hopland at approximately 55 miles per hour.
Womble, according to the CHP report, failed to notice he was rapidly approaching a long line of stopped traffic in the northbound lane.
When he realized a rear end collision was imminent, the CHP said Womble abruptly turned his pickup to the left and traveled directly into Robbins’ path.
The CHP said the two vehicles subsequently collided head-on.
Both drivers suffered major injuries, sustaining multiple blunt force trauma, according to the CHP.
Air ambulances flew Womble and Robbins out-of-county to a major trauma center, the CHP said.
The CHP said both drivers were using their seat belts.
Email Elizabeth Larson at
LAKEPORT, Calif. – Starting next week, a number of county offices primarily based in Lakeport will embark on a pilot program in which public office hours are reduced in order to allow staff to catch up on work backlogs.
The Board of Supervisors unanimously approved the proposal, brought forward in the form of a resolution by County Administrative Officer Carol Huchingson, at its Aug. 28 meeting.
Huchingson’s proposal is for temporary public hours of 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Thursday, and excluding holidays, for all county offices in the Lake County Courthouse building in Lakeport, where the board meets, and select surrounding and satellite offices of the county of Lake.
She proposed it as a pilot project, to run from Sept. 11 to March 10.
In asking the board to take the action, Huchingson pointed out that the cities of Clearlake and Lakeport implemented Friday office closures in the face of fiscal challenges.
Huchingson cited the county’s inability to get new revenue streams and diminishing returns on the current ones, upcoming minimum wage issues, challenges with hiring and the “serious assault” on county property tax from the loss of nearly 2,000 homes over the past three years as reasons to pursue the plan.
The county’s agriculture department may propose a seasonal Friday closure, and the social services and health departments also are looking at adopting a similar schedule, she said.
Huchingson said she had conferred with all of the department heads about the plan, and while District Attorney Don Anderson expressed concern to Huchingson about it, she said all of the other department heads gave it strong support.
Supervisor Tina Scott said the plan would make office hours consistent among departments, some of which already have scaled back their public hours. She emphasized that they are not cutting back on hours for employees, but just giving them a chance to catch up.
During the discussion, Sheriff Brian Martin said he wanted to address the matter in order to let the public know what is going on, “Because we in government are in the business of delivering services.”
He said the 20 percent vacancy in county offices creates challenges in delivering services. His agency’s vacancy rate is higher – 27.8 percent across the board.
“The reality is, I don’t have people,” he said.
Martin said he can’t shut down the dispatch center, but he’s considering reducing office hours during the week.
He said his vacancies include 16 deputies, 18 correctional officers, seven dispatchers and six civilian positions. Deputies are helping cover correctional positions and correctional officers are working in dispatch.
Martin said his department will need to work with the District Attorney’s Office and auditor-controller to make sure the closures don’t impact operations.
Huchingson said the sheriff’s office wasn’t included in the initial pilot program. She also said library and jail hours will remain unchanged.
Martin said that at some point, he may need to shut down a portion of the jail, as with 18 of 49 correctional officer positions unfilled, it’s not sustainable.
Supervisor Rob Brown pointed out that, after October 2019, individuals arrested on misdemeanor charges won’t go to jail at all based on a newly signed state law.
Martin said he believes that new legislation will do what other legislation related to the criminal justice system has done – cause a short-term reduction in the jail population with long-term increases.
Board Chair Jim Steele asked if salary savings from empty positions help. Huchingson said they do in a “perverse sort of way.” While the savings carry over, it doesn’t help county operations in a practical manner, she said.
Special Districts Administrator Jan Coppinger said her department has a lot of funding opportunities for projects but they have a challenge meeting funding deadlines.
She said the county has taken a beating for backlogs, and while she knows what’s behind backlogs Coppinger said she also understands the public’s concern.
Coppinger offered her support for the schedule change, as she said the county departments need to get back up to speed.
Supervisor Jeff Smith questioned if Friday is the best day of the week to close or if it’s Monday.
Brown said he and Huchingson and discussed it, and since Mondays are typically holidays and board meetings are on Tuesdays, it wouldn’t give staff the chance to prepare.
Huchingson added that the public is used to coming into the offices on Mondays, which are the busiest days for her office.
Gail Woodworth, director of Child Support Services, asked that her department – headquartered in Kelseyville – also be included, noting that she’s 30-percent short on case workers and Friday is their slowest day. She said they would leave the lobby open so people can pay at the kiosks.
Brown moved to approve the plan, which the board supported 5-0.
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 Board of Supervisors unanimously approved the proposal, brought forward in the form of a resolution by County Administrative Officer Carol Huchingson, at its Aug. 28 meeting.
Huchingson’s proposal is for temporary public hours of 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Thursday, and excluding holidays, for all county offices in the Lake County Courthouse building in Lakeport, where the board meets, and select surrounding and satellite offices of the county of Lake.
She proposed it as a pilot project, to run from Sept. 11 to March 10.
In asking the board to take the action, Huchingson pointed out that the cities of Clearlake and Lakeport implemented Friday office closures in the face of fiscal challenges.
Huchingson cited the county’s inability to get new revenue streams and diminishing returns on the current ones, upcoming minimum wage issues, challenges with hiring and the “serious assault” on county property tax from the loss of nearly 2,000 homes over the past three years as reasons to pursue the plan.
The county’s agriculture department may propose a seasonal Friday closure, and the social services and health departments also are looking at adopting a similar schedule, she said.
Huchingson said she had conferred with all of the department heads about the plan, and while District Attorney Don Anderson expressed concern to Huchingson about it, she said all of the other department heads gave it strong support.
Supervisor Tina Scott said the plan would make office hours consistent among departments, some of which already have scaled back their public hours. She emphasized that they are not cutting back on hours for employees, but just giving them a chance to catch up.
During the discussion, Sheriff Brian Martin said he wanted to address the matter in order to let the public know what is going on, “Because we in government are in the business of delivering services.”
He said the 20 percent vacancy in county offices creates challenges in delivering services. His agency’s vacancy rate is higher – 27.8 percent across the board.
“The reality is, I don’t have people,” he said.
Martin said he can’t shut down the dispatch center, but he’s considering reducing office hours during the week.
He said his vacancies include 16 deputies, 18 correctional officers, seven dispatchers and six civilian positions. Deputies are helping cover correctional positions and correctional officers are working in dispatch.
Martin said his department will need to work with the District Attorney’s Office and auditor-controller to make sure the closures don’t impact operations.
Huchingson said the sheriff’s office wasn’t included in the initial pilot program. She also said library and jail hours will remain unchanged.
Martin said that at some point, he may need to shut down a portion of the jail, as with 18 of 49 correctional officer positions unfilled, it’s not sustainable.
Supervisor Rob Brown pointed out that, after October 2019, individuals arrested on misdemeanor charges won’t go to jail at all based on a newly signed state law.
Martin said he believes that new legislation will do what other legislation related to the criminal justice system has done – cause a short-term reduction in the jail population with long-term increases.
Board Chair Jim Steele asked if salary savings from empty positions help. Huchingson said they do in a “perverse sort of way.” While the savings carry over, it doesn’t help county operations in a practical manner, she said.
Special Districts Administrator Jan Coppinger said her department has a lot of funding opportunities for projects but they have a challenge meeting funding deadlines.
She said the county has taken a beating for backlogs, and while she knows what’s behind backlogs Coppinger said she also understands the public’s concern.
Coppinger offered her support for the schedule change, as she said the county departments need to get back up to speed.
Supervisor Jeff Smith questioned if Friday is the best day of the week to close or if it’s Monday.
Brown said he and Huchingson and discussed it, and since Mondays are typically holidays and board meetings are on Tuesdays, it wouldn’t give staff the chance to prepare.
Huchingson added that the public is used to coming into the offices on Mondays, which are the busiest days for her office.
Gail Woodworth, director of Child Support Services, asked that her department – headquartered in Kelseyville – also be included, noting that she’s 30-percent short on case workers and Friday is their slowest day. She said they would leave the lobby open so people can pay at the kiosks.
Brown moved to approve the plan, which the board supported 5-0.
Email Elizabeth Larson at
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — The Stand Down committee is busy making preparations for the fifth Annual Lake/Mendocino County Veterans Resource Fair/Homeless Veterans Stand Down.
Chairman Frank Parker urges all veterans to attend this event, which will be held from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 19, and Thursday, Sept. 20, at the Lake County Fairgrounds, 401 Martin St., Lakeport.
This year the confirmed participants for the resource fair are various VA departments, such as member services and the Million Vet Program, Employment Development Department, Department of Social Services, Lake County Mental Health and representatives from both Lake and Mendocino County Veteran Service Offices in addition to other federal, state, county and community organizations offering programs and avenues of assistance.
Lake County Transit is offering courtesy transportation to veteran to attend the resource fair/stand down event. Veterans may use their Veteran ID card or DD-214 form as bus fare to and from the fairgrounds.
Legal assistance will also be provided by the One Justice Team each day from noon to 4 p.m.
Veterans can get assistance with estate planning on Sept. 19 and expungement assistance on Sept. 20.
Space is limited and veterans must be prescreened for an appointment, please call 415-534-5878 to register.
Organizers are again seeking volunteers to assist with the event. Volunteers will assist in capacities including helping to set up and tear down the venue, staging and issuing materials and supplies to Veterans, and preparing food.
United Veterans Council of Lake County is still seeking financial assistance for the purchase of additional material and supplies.
If you would like to donate financial assistance or volunteer to assist with this event, please contact Frank Parker, Lake County Vet Connect Committee Chairman, at 707-274-9512.
Chairman Frank Parker urges all veterans to attend this event, which will be held from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 19, and Thursday, Sept. 20, at the Lake County Fairgrounds, 401 Martin St., Lakeport.
This year the confirmed participants for the resource fair are various VA departments, such as member services and the Million Vet Program, Employment Development Department, Department of Social Services, Lake County Mental Health and representatives from both Lake and Mendocino County Veteran Service Offices in addition to other federal, state, county and community organizations offering programs and avenues of assistance.
Lake County Transit is offering courtesy transportation to veteran to attend the resource fair/stand down event. Veterans may use their Veteran ID card or DD-214 form as bus fare to and from the fairgrounds.
Legal assistance will also be provided by the One Justice Team each day from noon to 4 p.m.
Veterans can get assistance with estate planning on Sept. 19 and expungement assistance on Sept. 20.
Space is limited and veterans must be prescreened for an appointment, please call 415-534-5878 to register.
Organizers are again seeking volunteers to assist with the event. Volunteers will assist in capacities including helping to set up and tear down the venue, staging and issuing materials and supplies to Veterans, and preparing food.
United Veterans Council of Lake County is still seeking financial assistance for the purchase of additional material and supplies.
If you would like to donate financial assistance or volunteer to assist with this event, please contact Frank Parker, Lake County Vet Connect Committee Chairman, at 707-274-9512.
CLEARLAKE, Calif. – The Clearlake City Council is planning a special meeting to deal with projects and contracts.
The council will meet at 5 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 6, in the council chambers at Clearlake City Hall, 14050 Olympic Drive.
On the agenda is consideration of amendment No. 2 to the agreement between the city and the Southshore Little League for the use of Haverty Field and Redbud Park baseball fields.
Councilmembers are being asked to consider a letter of support for the Lake Transit Authority’s transit hub project.
The hub would be located at 7175 S. Center Drive, on property owned by the county of Lake, according to the report from City Manager Greg Folsom.
The council also will look at assessing penalties totaling $37,000 in penalties on a number of properties for failure to abate public nuisances, and consider awarding a contract to Piazza Construction for $98,765 for aggregate crushing services.
The only consent agenda is consideration of continuing a local emergency declaration issued on Oct. 9 and ratified by the council on Oct. 12 in response to the Sulphur fire.
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 at 5 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 6, in the council chambers at Clearlake City Hall, 14050 Olympic Drive.
On the agenda is consideration of amendment No. 2 to the agreement between the city and the Southshore Little League for the use of Haverty Field and Redbud Park baseball fields.
Councilmembers are being asked to consider a letter of support for the Lake Transit Authority’s transit hub project.
The hub would be located at 7175 S. Center Drive, on property owned by the county of Lake, according to the report from City Manager Greg Folsom.
The council also will look at assessing penalties totaling $37,000 in penalties on a number of properties for failure to abate public nuisances, and consider awarding a contract to Piazza Construction for $98,765 for aggregate crushing services.
The only consent agenda is consideration of continuing a local emergency declaration issued on Oct. 9 and ratified by the council on Oct. 12 in response to the Sulphur fire.
Email Elizabeth Larson at