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CLEARLAKE OAKS, Calif. – Officials said containment continues to slowly rise on the Pawnee fire as firefighters work their way into the fire’s remote interior in the rugged backcountry.

The fire’s size continues to hold at 13,700 acres, with containment on Friday morning at 56 percent, Cal Fire said.

Approximately 658 acres were burned on the Mendocino National Forest, according to spokeswoman Punky Moore.

The number of firefighters, which earlier this week topped 3,400 personnel, has now begun to be rolled back.

Early Friday, personnel assigned totaled 3,036, along with 203 engines, 34 water tenders, 17 helicopters, 72 hand crews and 47 dozers, Cal Fire said.

Cal Fire has not yet given a date estimate for full containment.

Firefighters continued to construct and reinforce control lines in anticipation of a red flag warning that will be in effect from 11 a.m. Friday through 5 a.m Sunday, Cal Fire said.

Crews are being flown into remote regions of the fire to strengthen containment lines. Cal Fire said firefighters also are patrolling and mopping up.

Mandatory evacuation orders remain in effect for Walker Ridge, with the remaining road closure on Walker Ridge Road at Highway 20.

Cal Fire said suppression repair has begun in an effort to restore the landscape to as near a pre-fire condition as possible.

Other repairs also are under way in the fire area.

Pacific Gas and Electric spokeswoman Deanna Contreras said that the company has restored power to 600 customers.

The power to the fire area was interrupted early Sunday morning due to the fire impacting PG&E facilities and the company shutting off power to the lines at the request of Cal Fire for the safety of the first responders. “This was not a public safety power shutoff situation,” Contreras said.

She said PG&E has identified 30 poles, six crossarms and 39 spans of wire that need to be replaced in or near the Double Eagle Ranch subdivision, where residents were allowed to return on Thursday. The Spring Valley Lakes evacuation order was lifted on Wednesday.

PG&E has customer care experts available at a PG&E mobile command vehicle in Spring Valley at the Spring Valley Pantry Market, located on New Long Valley Road.

Crews working for PG&E’s vegetation management department started clearing a fuel break on Monday, at the request of Cal Fire, near Clearlake, Contreras said.

She said the crews are clearing a 100-foot-wide swath of brush and trees alongside and under an electric transmission line that runs through Clearlake Oaks. The work to create an approximately six-mile fuel break will continue for the next few days.

Email Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Follow her on Twitter, @ERLarson, or Lake County News, @LakeCoNews.

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Fireworks, cardboard and duct tape boats, music and barbecues will be fixtures of Independence Day celebrations around Lake County in the coming days.

A roundup of events is featured below.

FRIDAY, JUNE 29

CLEARLAKE

Clearlake carnival

The city of Clearlake’s carnival will take place from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. at Austin Park’s beach, 14077 Lakeshore Drive. There is a cost for the carnival.

SATURDAY, JUNE 30

CLEARLAKE

Redbud Parade & Festival

The Lakeshore Lions Club’s 61st annual Redbud Parade & Festival will take place on June 30, at Austin Park.

The parade starts at 11 a.m. at Redbud Park and finishes at Austin Park. There will be a carnival, a car show, and food and craft vendors set up around Austin Park for a full day of entertainment for families.

The event will also feature the 51st annual International Worm Races, hosted by the Clear Lake Chamber of Commerce, and a grand fireworks finale over Clear Lake that is always a highlight.

This year the carnival will run from Friday, June 29, through Saturday, July 7.

“We are pleased to host this annual event in downtown Clearlake,” said Clearlake City Manager Greg Folsom. “The parade, festival, and fireworks are always incredible and this year the carnival will extend throughout the week and we invite everyone to come down and enjoy our beautiful lakeside location. Much appreciation to the Lakeshore Lions for their continued support for this community and once again sponsoring this fantastic event.”

HIDDEN VALLEY LAKE

Independence Day celebration

The Hidden Valley Lake community’s Independence Day celebration will take place beginning at 10 a.m. at the Big Beach and Little Beach.

Tony Neves will perform from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

A fleet parade will take place for all watercraft at 3 p.m. at the center of the lake. Decorated boats can win category prizes.

At 4 p.m. there will be a barbecue grilled fresh by the Greenview Restaurant chefs.

This year’s fireworks display has been canceled.

Parking will be offered at Lakeridge Circle and the pool parking lot. There will be no shuttle service.

SUNDAY, JULY 1

CLEARLAKE

Clearlake carnival

The city of Clearlake’s carnival will take place from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. at Austin Park’s beach, 14077 Lakeshore Drive. There is a cost for the carnival

CLEARLAKE OAKS

Clear Lake Keys boat parade

The Clear Lake Keys Property Owners Association’s annual boat parade will take place at the M&M Campground.

Line up takes place at 9:30 a.m., with the parade at 10 a.m.

The theme is “A Lake County Catch.”

Prizes are $100 for first place, $75 for second place and $50 for third place.

No water balloons or other hard objects are allowed, but squirt guns are OK.

Following the boat parade the Clearlake Oaks Keys Club hosts a picnic starting at noon for members and their guests.

For sign-ups and boat numbers, call Heidi Aragon at 707-998-9439.

KELSEYVILLE

Ely Stage Stop Fiddlers’ Jam

Kick off your July 4 holiday with a fun day at the Ely Stage Stop on Sunday, July 1, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The house and museum will be gaily decorated in red, white and blue. A barbecue of good old fashioned hot dogs, hamburgers and drinks will be available for sale this month, beginning at 11 a.m.

The fiddlers will add their toe tapping music to the magical mood of the day, playing from noon to 2 p.m.

Bring your family and friends. Ride the hay wagon and stroll the grounds and inspect the new antique farm equipment that has just arrived. Note the progress on the Richard Paddock Blacksmith Shop.

The Ely Stage Stop is located at 9921 State Highway 281(Soda Bay Road) in Kelseyville, near Clear Lake Riviera, just north of Highway 29-Kit's Corner.

Visit www.elystagestop.org or www.lakecountyhistory.org, or call 707-533-9990.

MONDAY, JULY 2

CLEARLAKE

Clearlake carnival

The city of Clearlake’s carnival will take place from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. at Austin Park’s beach, 14077 Lakeshore Drive. There is a cost for the carnival.

LAKEPORT

Konocti Vista fireworks display

Join Konocti Vista Casino and Twin Pine Casino for their annual fireworks display on Monday, July 2, just after dusk.

The display will take place at Konocti Vista Casino Hotel and Marina, 2755 Mission Rancheria Road, Lakeport.

The family friendly event is free.

TUESDAY, JULY 3

CLEARLAKE

Clearlake carnival

The city of Clearlake’s carnival will take place from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. at Austin Park’s beach, 14077 Lakeshore Drive. There is a cost for the carnival.

CLEARLAKE OAKS

Annual Clearlake Oaks fireworks display

The 2018 Clearlake Oaks fireworks display will be launched from a barge near the Clearlake Oaks public boat launch.

The best (and most fun) viewing area is from a boat anchored near Rattlesnake Island. Next best is from Clark's island.

Donations to help cover the show can be made to the Clearlake Oaks-Glenhaven Business Association through its Web site.

WEDNESDAY, JULY 4

LAKEPORT

City of Lakeport July 4 celebration

Lakeport’s family friendly July 4 celebration, including fireworks and craft faire, will take place from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. in Library Park.

Join the fun as they celebrate our country’s birthday with vendor booths, good food, beverage and music.

The popular cardboard and duct tape regatta will take place from 10 to 11 a.m.

Top the day off with the city’s spectacular fireworks display after dark.

The street faire is full of great food, arts and crafts.

CLEARLAKE

Clearlake carnival

The city of Clearlake’s carnival will take place from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. at Austin Park’s beach, 14077 Lakeshore Drive. There is a cost for the carnival.

THURSDAY, JULY 5

CLEARLAKE

Clearlake carnival

The city of Clearlake’s carnival will take place from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. at Austin Park’s beach, 14077 Lakeshore Drive. There is a cost for the carnival.

FRIDAY, JULY 6

CLEARLAKE

Clearlake carnival

The city of Clearlake’s carnival will take place from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. at Austin Park’s beach, 14077 Lakeshore Drive. There is a cost for the carnival.

SATURDAY, JULY 7

CLEARLAKE

Clearlake carnival

The city of Clearlake’s carnival will take place from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. at Austin Park’s beach, 14077 Lakeshore Drive. There is a cost for the carnival.

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – The National Weather Service has issued a red flag warning for Lake County and other parts of Northern California due to fire weather conditions forecast for the weekend.

The warning is in effect from Friday at 11 a.m. through 5 a.m. Sunday.

A red flag warning means that critical fire weather conditions are either occurring now, or will shortly, the agency said.

Forecasters said temperatures are expected to increase as drying north winds develop across
the region starting Friday.

That combination of gusty winds and low humidity will result in critical fire weather conditions
from Friday into the weekend, the National Weather Service said.

The Lake County forecast calls for temperatures topping out over 100 degrees on Saturday and Sunday, with winds into the mid 20s on Saturday and wind speeds reducing the following day.

Email Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Follow her on Twitter, @ERLarson, or Lake County News, @LakeCoNews.

CLEARLAKE OAKS, Calif. – There was no new growth overnight on the Pawnee fire, and with conditions improving another group of evacuees were allowed to return home on Thursday.

Cal Fire said Thursday morning that the fire remained at 13,700 acres, with containment climbing to 40 percent.

Approximately 3,234 firefighting personnel are assigned to the incident; other resources include 238 engines, 33 water tenders, 14 helicopters, 73 hand crews and 71 dozers, according to Cal Fire.

Cal Fire said firefighters continue to construct and reinforce control lines in anticipation of warmer, drier conditions and strong winds that are forecast throughout the weekend.

Burning since Saturday, the fire destroyed 22 structures, damaged 5 others, and threatened hundreds more, which had led to the mandatory evacuations of the Spring Valley Lakes and Double Eagle Ranch subdivisions, along with the areas of Walker Ridge and Indian Valley Reservoir.

On Wednesday, Spring Valley residents were allowed to return home, and on Thursday the evacuation order for the Double Eagle Ranch also was lifted, as were the remaining road closures in Double Eagle, officials said.

The Walker Ridge and Indian Valley Reservoir areas, however, remain under evacuation, with Walker Ridge Road at Highway 20 still closed, according to Lt. Corey Paulich of the Lake County Sheriff’s Office.

Paulich urged community members returning home to be aware of firefighters, utility company and media traffic, and to stay focused and avoid distractions as emergency personnel continue to operate in the area.

Once a wildfire has burned through an area, many dangers may remain, Paulich said.

Those who observe any hazardous conditions are urged to stay away and report the situation immediately to a local fire or law enforcement official in the area or call 911.

Email Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Follow her on Twitter, @ERLarson, or Lake County News, @LakeCoNews.

CLEARLAKE OAKS, Calif. – A newly released damage assessment offers a picture of the destruction to homes and other structures resulting from the Pawnee fire.

The Pawnee fire began in the Spring Valley Lakes subdivision east of Clearlake Oaks on Saturday, triggering the evacuations of an estimated 1,500 people in Spring Valley as well as the Double Eagle Ranch subdivision.

On Tuesday, Cal Fire along with personnel from the county of Lake conducted an assessment and inspection of properties that were damaged or destroyed as a result of the fire.

The assessment found a total of 27 burned properties.

The breakdown is as follows:

– Total buildings destroyed: 22; 12 residences, 10 outbuildings.
– Total buildings damaged: five; three homes, two outbuildings, all with minor or minimal damage.

The map above shows the impacted properties. Clicking on the sites will show the address, APN and extent of damage.

Email Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Follow her on Twitter, @ERLarson, or Lake County News, @LakeCoNews.

CLEARLAKE, Calif. – The Clearlake City Council this week will consider updating a city purchasing ordinance and benefit plan, and view two new fire prevention videos.

The Clearlake City Council will meet beginning at 5:15 p.m. Thursday, June 28, for a closed session to discuss the police chief selection process before the public portion of the meeting begins at 6 p.m. in the council chambers at Clearlake City Hall, 14050 Olympic Drive.

At Thursday’s meeting the second and third joint project fire prevention videos by PEG TV, the Lake County Fire Protection District, the Clearlake Police Department and Code Enforcement, and produced by the Administrative Services Department, will be presented.

In council business, council members will consider the first reading of an ordinance amending the purchasing ordinance and set a second reading and adoption for July 12.

The council also will consider updates to the management/confidential employees classification and benefit plan, approval of a job description for Administrative Services director/city clerk and adoption of the city salary schedule.

Items on the consent agenda – items considered noncontroversial and usually accepted as a slate on one vote – are warrant registers; minutes of the meetings on June 8 and 14; consideration of Resolution No. 2018-20 approving a temporary street closure for the Lake Life and Car Show; and the second amendment to the agreement between the city of Clearlake, city of Lakeport and the county of Lake for operation of a local public, education and government channel.

Email Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Follow her on Twitter, @ERLarson, or Lake County News, @LakeCoNews.