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LAKEPORT, Calif, -- Advisory: City of Lakeport has donated N95 particulate respirator masks that are available at the County Library in Lakeport
The City of Lakeport has donated 700 N95 particulate respirator masks to the residents of Lake County due to the unhealthy air quality associated with the wildfires in our region. These masks are rated to block at least 95% of very small (0.3 micron) test particles. The masks are available beginning today (Friday) at the Lake County Library located at 1425 North High Street. They will be available until the supply runs out.
The City of Lakeport has donated 700 N95 particulate respirator masks to the residents of Lake County due to the unhealthy air quality associated with the wildfires in our region. These masks are rated to block at least 95% of very small (0.3 micron) test particles. The masks are available beginning today (Friday) at the Lake County Library located at 1425 North High Street. They will be available until the supply runs out.
CLEARLAKE, Calif, -- Residents who live on the north side of Mendocino Street should use North Drive. Residents who live on the south side of North Drive should use Lakeshore drive. Residents who live south of Plumas can use Lakeshore Drive. Residents who live past Plumas should use the North Drive access
Workers are still in the area working and may have traffic control. Please be cautious of these workers.
Workers are still in the area working and may have traffic control. Please be cautious of these workers.
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – On Thursday local officials completed the work on an initial damage assessment for the Sulphur fire.
The fire, which began early Monday, has displaced thousands of residents of Clearlake and Clearlake Oaks, and burned 2,500 acres.
A trip through the Sulphur fire area, filmed and posted below, shows devastation along a swath of lakefront and hillside residential areas.
However, until Thursday it wasn’t clear just how many structures had burned.
Clearlake City Manager Greg Folsom on Thursday released to Lake County News the damage assessment the city completed this week with the assistance of Cal Fire and Lake County Community Development staff.
The work has been ongoing even as the firefighting effort continues. The fire was reported to be 55-percent contained on Thursday evening.
The completed assessment puts the total number of destroyed structures at 168, with those structures located on 116 different properties.
In one case, 30 structures were lost on one site – 12145 Lakeshore Drive in Clearlake Park, listed as Holiday Island Mobile Home Park.
Of the 168 structures lost, 136 were residences, 27 were outbuildings, two were commercial and three were listed as “other.”
Lake County News mapped the data, as shown above. When clicking on any of the dots, the map will show information including the address and structure type.
The breakdown of residential structure types is as follows:
- Single-family residences, single-story: 49;
- Single-family residences, multistory: 34;
- Mobile home, singlewide: 28;
- Mobile home, doublewide: 20;
- Mobile home, triplewide: 1;
- Mobile home, motorhome: 1;
- Multifamily residence, single story: 3.
Other structure types listed among the destroyed structures include:
- Detached garage: 22;
- Miscellaneous: 3;
- Outbuilding: 3;
- Commercial building, single-story: 2;
- Barn: 1;
- Shop: 1.
The destroyed structures were located in the following communities:
- Clearlake: 89 structures at 77 addresses.
- Clearlake Park: 76 structures at 36 addresses.
- Clearlake Oaks: Two structures at two addresses.
There also was one structure on Lakeshore Drive with an undetermined address.
Folsom said the city of Clearlake will post the full list of destroyed properties on its Web site on Friday.
Email Elizabeth Larson at
CLEARLAKE, Calif. – With more resources arriving in Northern California, firefighters raised containment on the Sulphur fire on Thursday.
Cal Fire reported Thursday night that the fire, burning since early Monday, remains at 2,500 acres, with containment during the day growing to 55 percent.
The Sulphur fire has been combined with the Redwood fire in Mendocino County into the Mendocino Lake Complex, which is under the management of Cal Fire’s Incident Management Team 4.
Incident management team member Capt. Steve Kaufmann said Cal Fire has a total of six such teams, which normally would be assigned each to once fire.
With 17 major incidents going on around the state, each of the teams now has two to three fires to oversee, Kaufmann said, which is the reason the two incidents were combined.
At a community meeting in Clearlake on Thursday night, Kaufmann showed a map of the Sulphur fire, which can be seen below.
He explained that the black line on the northern portion of the fire signifies areas where the fire is contained; in those locations, they don’t believe any fire will cross that line.
The red area around the lower part of the fire is where firefighters are continuing to build line to increase containment, with Kaufmann explaining that work will continue over the next few days.
The Redwood fire, burning in Potter and Redwood valleys since early Monday, was at 34,000 acres and 10 percent containment, based on Cal Fire’s latest estimate on Thursday night.
On Thursday Mendocino County Sheriff Tom Allman The Mendocino Lake Complex was rated the No. 3 priority statewide amongst a total of 10 disasters.
Allman also said the death toll in the Redwood fire had risen to eight.
Cal Fire was not able to break down the specific resources between the Sulphur and Redwood fires, but for the overall Mendocino Lake Complex a total of 8,000 people have been evacuated between the two fires.
Officials said about 1,000 of those were told to leave their homes on Wednesday night due to worsening conditions in Mendocino County.
Between both incidents, a total of 1,000 structures remain threatened, with a total of 245 homes destroyed and another 15 damaged, two commercial structures damaged, 124 minor structures destroyed and 26 minor structures damaged.
Based on a damage assessment released to Lake County News by the city of Clearlake, 168 structures were destroyed in the Sulphur fire, with all but two of them in Clearlake.
Resources committed to the overall incident include 88 engines, 22 water tenders, 19 helicopters, 67 hand crews, 44 dozers and 1,712 personnel, Cal Fire said.
On Thursday, firefighters benefited from favorable weather conditions across both fires in their efforts to increase containment and protect structures, according to Cal Fire.
However, Cal Fire said firefighters remain challenged by the steep terrain, dry fuel and northwest winds.
Community hears updates
Kaufmann and other Cal Fire personnel joined with local officials at Thursday night’s regular Clearlake City Council meeting, which was combined with a Sulphur fire community update.
One of the council’s main items of business was ratifying the declaration of a local emergency made on Monday by City Manager Greg Folsom.
The update on fire conditions was added as an emergency item to the council’s agenda, and held at the beginning of the meeting.
Folsom started by thanking everyone who had worked so hard to save the city, which had narrowly escaped the Rocky fire two years ago.
Kaufmann credited local firefighters for saving homes before Cal Fire’s teams arrived.
Now, with firefighters coming in from around the region, Kaufmann assured community members that while they might not recognize the firefighters’ faces or patches, “While we’re here, we are your firefighters, and we’re not going to leave until this is mitigated.”
Kaufmann said they are anticipating a significant wind event beginning on Friday, with the coming winds having just slightly less strength than those seen on Sunday and Monday.
“I do want you to understand that we are still not out of danger,” Kaufmann said.
He also addressed concerns about resources, assuring the group that firefighters are coming in from around California, as well as from Washington, Oregon, Nevada and from as far away as the East coast.
He also encouraged people to download Cal Fire’s free “Ready for Wildfire” app to get updated information on incidents.
Also at the Thursday night meeting, Sheriff Brian Martin urged people to remember that the situation remains a dangerous one, with fire weather warnings issued and evacuations still in effect in some areas due to the fire.
Acting Clearlake Police Chief Tim Celli had some good news – the city anticipates being able to lift the remaining evacuations by 5 p.m. Friday.
He said a lot of work has gone into the effort to allow residents to safely return home, with Pacific Gas and Electric, water crews, fire departments and many others involved.
“You have an entire army working for you,” Celli said.
County Supervisor Rob Brown – who was on hand along with fellow board members Jeff Smith, Jim Steele and Moke Simon – said the county is working with the city to start the recovery process.
He said the county has been assured by the California Office of Emergency Services that Lake County is a priority and that it hasn’t been forgotten in the midst of the other disasters around the state.
Smith has been Clearlake’s supervisor for 19 years, and he lost his home of 31 years in the fire.
He didn’t mention his personal loss during the meeting, but instead told community members not to hesitate to ask for help. “We’re all here for you,” he said.
“We’ll all get through this together,” he said, adding, “We just have a fresh start now.”
Email Elizabeth Larson at
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – On Thursday fire officials warned that more heavy winds are on the way this weekend while at the same time the National Weather Service issued a fire weather watch for Lake and neighboring counties.
The fire weather watch will go into effect at 12 a.m. Saturday and remain in effect until noon on Sunday, when the National Weather Service said the strongest winds are expected to occur.
The strongest winds are expected will be across exposed ridges and through wind-aligned drainages, the agency said.
Winds around the region are forecast to have northeast winds from 15 to 30 miles per hour, with local gusts of between 35 to 45 miles per hour, based on the forecast.
Those winds, combined with low relative humidity that is drying out vegetation, are concerns for fire officials.
Capt. Steve Kaufmann of the Ventura County Fire Department is a member of Cal Fire’s Incident Management Team 4, which is managing the Sulphur fire as part of the Mendocino Lake Complex – which includes the fires in Potter and Redwood valleys.
Kaufmann gave community members an update on conditions at a Thursday night meeting in Clearlake.
He said a “significant wind event” is expected to arrive on Friday.
The forecast calls for winds that aren’t quite as strong as those the region experienced on Sunday and Monday, he said.
However, he said it would take just one small ember to get out of the fire lines “and we’re off to the races again.”
He added, “I do want you to understand that we are still not out of danger,” he said.
The county forecast expects north northeast winds of up to 8 miles per hour on Friday and up to 13 miles per hour during the day on Saturday in the Sulphur fire area.
In southern Lake County, winds are expected to range up to 10 miles per hour during the day on Friday, rising to about 16 miles per hour at night, with nighttime gusts of up to 23 miles per hour.
On Saturday, the forecast calls for daytime conditions with winds of up to 17 miles per hour and 24-mile-per-hour gusts. The forecast calls for wind conditions to taper off to about 9 miles per hour on Saturday night.
Temperatures over the next several days around the county look to be in the normal fall range, from the high 40s at night and the high 70s during the day, the forecast said.
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 fire weather watch will go into effect at 12 a.m. Saturday and remain in effect until noon on Sunday, when the National Weather Service said the strongest winds are expected to occur.
The strongest winds are expected will be across exposed ridges and through wind-aligned drainages, the agency said.
Winds around the region are forecast to have northeast winds from 15 to 30 miles per hour, with local gusts of between 35 to 45 miles per hour, based on the forecast.
Those winds, combined with low relative humidity that is drying out vegetation, are concerns for fire officials.
Capt. Steve Kaufmann of the Ventura County Fire Department is a member of Cal Fire’s Incident Management Team 4, which is managing the Sulphur fire as part of the Mendocino Lake Complex – which includes the fires in Potter and Redwood valleys.
Kaufmann gave community members an update on conditions at a Thursday night meeting in Clearlake.
He said a “significant wind event” is expected to arrive on Friday.
The forecast calls for winds that aren’t quite as strong as those the region experienced on Sunday and Monday, he said.
However, he said it would take just one small ember to get out of the fire lines “and we’re off to the races again.”
He added, “I do want you to understand that we are still not out of danger,” he said.
The county forecast expects north northeast winds of up to 8 miles per hour on Friday and up to 13 miles per hour during the day on Saturday in the Sulphur fire area.
In southern Lake County, winds are expected to range up to 10 miles per hour during the day on Friday, rising to about 16 miles per hour at night, with nighttime gusts of up to 23 miles per hour.
On Saturday, the forecast calls for daytime conditions with winds of up to 17 miles per hour and 24-mile-per-hour gusts. The forecast calls for wind conditions to taper off to about 9 miles per hour on Saturday night.
Temperatures over the next several days around the county look to be in the normal fall range, from the high 40s at night and the high 70s during the day, the forecast said.
Email Elizabeth Larson at
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – With fires continuing in burn in Lake and neighboring counties, air quality on Thursday was reported to have degraded further to a range unhealthy for everyone.
The Lake County Air Quality Management District issued the air quality alert due to smoke and haze currently visible through areas of Lake County.
Air Pollution Control Officer Doug Gearhart said the smoke and haze are primarily the result of the Tubbs fire in Napa and Sonoma counties, the Atlas and Partrick fires in Napa County, the Nuns fire and Pocket fires in Sonoma County, the Redwood Complex fire in Mendocino County, and localized impacts from the Sulphur fire in Lake County.
Other active fires in Northern California may add to the smoke impacts in Lake County, Gearhart said.
The “unhealthy for everyone” air quality alert results from the forecast for continued high levels of smoke, the extended smoke impacts, and impacts from other air pollutants in the smoke lingering in Lake County until conditions change, according to Gearhart’s report.
Gearhart said the district is actively monitoring the smoke impacts.
He said current particulate levels in Lake County are in the “unhealthy” range in many areas with short periods of improved air quality since late afternoon on Monday.
The highest levels of smoke are expected to continue through the weekend, though the models indicate winds could significantly improve air quality in Lake County, he said. With the expected winds, fire activity may increase, increasing smoke levels in the county.
Gearhart said all areas may experience “unhealthy” air quality, and individuals should take precautions. The smoke is expected to remain in Lake County through the weekend, though there may be periods of improved air quality as the winds shift through the next few days.
Smoky conditions can cause irritation of the eyes, nose and air passages. These conditions can be hazardous for sensitive individuals including young children, the elderly, individuals with heart conditions, and those with chronic lung disease such as asthma, bronchitis and other respiratory conditions.
Individuals with asthma, bronchitis, emphysema and other lung or heart diseases should carefully adhere to their medical treatment plans and maintain at least a five-day supply of prescribed medications. They should limit outdoor activity and unnecessary physical exertion. Air conditioning that recirculates indoor air should be used, when available. Drinking plenty of water to avoid drying of the airways is recommended, unless restricted for medical reasons.
Dust masks are not protective against the ultrafine particulate, which is the pollutant most detrimental to health caused by wildfire smoke.
Air purifying respirators, such as N-95 filtering face pieces, may be effective in reducing some of the harmful particulate matter, but they also increase the work of breathing, can lead to physiologic stress, and are not recommended as a general protective measure.
With air quality forecast to be in the “unhealthy” range, people are recommended to use caution, avoid strenuous activity, avoid outdoor activities when possible, and reduce other sources of air pollution (such as smoking, use of aerosol products, frying or broiling meats, burning candles, vacuuming, etc.) and be prepared for rapidly changing conditions.
Localized areas of very unhealthy or hazardous air quality, regional haze and particulate from these fires can be expected until the regional fires are fully contained and the weather pattern shifts to clear the smoke. Take appropriate measures until the smoke clears.
The Lake County Air Quality Management District issued the air quality alert due to smoke and haze currently visible through areas of Lake County.
Air Pollution Control Officer Doug Gearhart said the smoke and haze are primarily the result of the Tubbs fire in Napa and Sonoma counties, the Atlas and Partrick fires in Napa County, the Nuns fire and Pocket fires in Sonoma County, the Redwood Complex fire in Mendocino County, and localized impacts from the Sulphur fire in Lake County.
Other active fires in Northern California may add to the smoke impacts in Lake County, Gearhart said.
The “unhealthy for everyone” air quality alert results from the forecast for continued high levels of smoke, the extended smoke impacts, and impacts from other air pollutants in the smoke lingering in Lake County until conditions change, according to Gearhart’s report.
Gearhart said the district is actively monitoring the smoke impacts.
He said current particulate levels in Lake County are in the “unhealthy” range in many areas with short periods of improved air quality since late afternoon on Monday.
The highest levels of smoke are expected to continue through the weekend, though the models indicate winds could significantly improve air quality in Lake County, he said. With the expected winds, fire activity may increase, increasing smoke levels in the county.
Gearhart said all areas may experience “unhealthy” air quality, and individuals should take precautions. The smoke is expected to remain in Lake County through the weekend, though there may be periods of improved air quality as the winds shift through the next few days.
Smoky conditions can cause irritation of the eyes, nose and air passages. These conditions can be hazardous for sensitive individuals including young children, the elderly, individuals with heart conditions, and those with chronic lung disease such as asthma, bronchitis and other respiratory conditions.
Individuals with asthma, bronchitis, emphysema and other lung or heart diseases should carefully adhere to their medical treatment plans and maintain at least a five-day supply of prescribed medications. They should limit outdoor activity and unnecessary physical exertion. Air conditioning that recirculates indoor air should be used, when available. Drinking plenty of water to avoid drying of the airways is recommended, unless restricted for medical reasons.
Dust masks are not protective against the ultrafine particulate, which is the pollutant most detrimental to health caused by wildfire smoke.
Air purifying respirators, such as N-95 filtering face pieces, may be effective in reducing some of the harmful particulate matter, but they also increase the work of breathing, can lead to physiologic stress, and are not recommended as a general protective measure.
With air quality forecast to be in the “unhealthy” range, people are recommended to use caution, avoid strenuous activity, avoid outdoor activities when possible, and reduce other sources of air pollution (such as smoking, use of aerosol products, frying or broiling meats, burning candles, vacuuming, etc.) and be prepared for rapidly changing conditions.
Localized areas of very unhealthy or hazardous air quality, regional haze and particulate from these fires can be expected until the regional fires are fully contained and the weather pattern shifts to clear the smoke. Take appropriate measures until the smoke clears.