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CLEARLAKE, Calif. – The Lake Circuit of United Methodist Churches in Lake County announces a special joint service at 9:45 a.m. Sunday, Aug. 21, in solidarity with sister church Lower Lake Community United Methodist Church, whose sanctuary was lost to the Clayton fire.
The special service will take place at Clearlake Community United Methodist Church, located at 14521 Pearl Ave. in Clearlake.
Building on the historic sanctuary began in 1884 and was completed in August of 1885, 131 years ago, though the congregation had been active for many years previously.
The Lower Lake church opened its doors to the many organizations that banded together in the wake of the devastating Valley last year, which also robbed the community of a church fellowship where members found hope, resiliency and healing.
There are seven congregations in the Lake Circuit of the United Methodist Church: Lower Lake, Clearlake, Middletown, Clearlake Oaks, Kelseyville, Upper Lake and Lakeport.
Upper Lake United Methodist Church will have a late service following the joint service because it had planned a special musical presentation that could not be changed, and the Lakeport congregation will have its regularly scheduled service because it is a federated church with members not only from the United Methodists but also the Presbyterian Church and Disciples of Christ.
The Clearlake, Lower Lake, Middletown, Kelseyville and Clearlake Oaks congregations will participate only in the joint service with the Upper Lake congregation at Clearlake on this Sunday; however, members from each of the seven congregations will participate in the united service.
The public is invited to join the churches in Clearlake on Sunday as they express grief and find hope.
LOWER LAKE, Calif. – The Clayton fire edged closer to full containment on Thursday, as firefighters continued to strengthen lines and deal with flare-ups, and damage assessment teams continued to work through the fire area.
The fire, burning since Saturday afternoon, remained at 3,929 acres, with containment on Thursday night up to 60 percent, according to Cal Fire.
On Thursday firefighters mopped up hot spots and flare-ups, and made fire suppression repairs in an effort to minimize the effects of the fire's damage, Cal Fire said.
Firefighters on Thursday night also were keeping an eye out for wildlife, with radio reports indicating they were seeing a mother bear and her cubs work their way through a drainage in the fire area.
Cal Fire's damage inspection teams also continued surveys of the fire area, tallying the number of damaged or destroyed structures. As a result, the number of destroyed structures rose again.
Cal Fire said the latest assessment numbers indicate that the fire has destroyed 300 structures; that includes 190 single-family homes, eight commercial structures, and 102 other structures such as sheds
and smaller outbuildings.
Because assessments are still ongoing, that number could continue to rise, Cal Fire said.
With Cal Fire reporting that 316 structures are still threatened, mandatory evacuations are continuing within the fire perimeter served by Morgan Valley Road. Evacuation centers remain open at Kelseyville High School, the Lakeport Seventh-day Adventist Church and Twin Pine Casino.
Limited street closures also remain in place. Main Street in Lower Lake, east of the Highway 29 and Highway 53 junction, and Lake Street, south of Dam Road, are still closed, officials said.
As containment has risen, Cal Fire has begun to scale back resources on the fire.
On Thursday evening there were a total of 1,742 personnel assigned to the fire, along with 147 engines, 42 hand crews, 24 water tenders, 11 dozers and 10 helicopters, Cal Fire said.
Cal Fire continues to estimate full containment on the fire will be reached on Sunday.
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LOWER LAKE, Calif. – The Lower Lake County Water District system was significantly impacted by the Clayton fire, and the district said Thursday its staff is struggling to get the recovery process under way.
The district reported that the office is still without power and under an evacuation notice.
General Manager Phil Spooner reported working under extraordinary conditions to try to reestablish water levels and pressures.
As a result of the current conditions, the district said that the entire water system is under a mandatory boil water order.
The district said customers need to be aware that it takes a great deal of time and work to recover a public water system after such a devastating fire.
As was experienced in the Valley fire, further damage to water lines caused by cleanup crews and other utility agencies is unavoidable, according to the Thursday report.
There will be service interruptions and boil water orders for some time, the district said.
Things customers can do to prepare for water outages and pressure loss are:
– When returning home, bring bottled water with you. There will be interruptions in service and a supply of drinking water will be needed.
– Inspect your home to make sure there are no open hose bibs or broken lines.
– Use water sparingly until the tank levels can be restored. Do not hose down houses or cars.
– Bring water to a rolling boil for at least one minute before drinking or cooking.
– Water had to be turned off to many surviving homes to try to stop leaks and restore pressure. If you return home and do not have water you can call 707-489-1831 for assistance.
While the district said it is understandable that everyone wants to return home as quickly as possible, it urged those who are staying in shelters to continue to do so for a few days until all utilities can be restored.
“Remember that in a catastrophic fire such as this one, recovery is slow and painful. Everything that can be done to bring the system back to normal operating conditions is being done. Patience and cooperation from all customers will help speed the recovery process,” the district said in its Thursday announcement.
Lower Lake, Calif -- According to the Cal Fire a.m. report fire affected acreage stands at 3929 acres with containment rising to 55% and no injuries reported.
Through Wednesday night firefighters continued to mop up and secure more of the fires perimeter while damage Inspection Teams continue to survey the fire area to determine how many structures have been damaged or destroyed.
Current data indicates that the fire has destroyed 268 structures; including 175 single-family homes, 8 commercial structures, and 85 other structures such as sheds and smaller outbuildings. Structures threatened number 316.
As surveys are completed and additional data is confirmed, the number of structures damaged or destroyed may rise.
Evacuation oreders remain in place for areas within the fire perimeter served by Morgan Valley Road.
Main Street, east of the Highway 29 and Highway 53 junction. Lake Street, south of Dam Road.
Three Evacuation centers remain open: Kelseyville High School Seventh Day Adventist Church Twin Pines Casino, 5480 Main St. 3500 Hill Rd E. 22223 Hwy 29, Kelseyville CA, 95451 Lakeport CA, 95453 Middletown CA, 95461.
Still working the fire are California State Parks and Recreation, California Highway Patrol, Lake County Sheriff’s Office, Lake County Fire Protection District, Lake County OES, City of Clearlake, Lake Evacuation and Animal Protection, USFS, CDCR, PG&E, CCC, Red Cross, BLM, California Fish and Wildlife, ALS ground ambulance providers, and CAL-OES.
Total personnel working the fire number 2131 with 201 engines, 26 water tenders, 12 Helicopters, 59 hand crews and 23 bulldozers.
For more information visit www.fire.ca.gov and www.readyforwildfire.org
KELSEYVILLE, Calif. – After years of effort, the Kelseyville Community Skatepark opened to enthusiastic young skaters and BMX riders on Wednesday.
Construction on the 9,000-square-foot concrete skatepark, located at the three-acre Kelseyville Community Park at 5270 State St., had begun in May and recently was completed.
It cost $265,000 to build the skatepark, which is the first facility of its kind in the unincorporated county.
Supervisor Rob Brown, who has championed the skatepark, was on hand with other county officials – including Sheriff Brian Martin, County Administrative Officer Carol Huchingson and Lake County Public Services Department staff – to celebrate the grand opening Wednesday morning.
Brown said the skatepark was a big deal for him as well as the young people who have been waiting for it to open and who had helped work on the park at various times.
“None of this happens with just us or with the kids,” said Brown, crediting parents and other community members for supporting the skatepark's creation, which he said was critical due to the county's lean resources. “So many people have been involved in this.”
He added, “To see something like this happen in this day and age, when resources are so limited for government, it's just unbelievable. It's amazing.”
Brown called the skatepark “an investment” in the community.
He said there had been talk about postponing the grand opening due to the Clayton fire, but ultimately the county decided to move forward, believing a positive event was needed.
And, he added, “The kids have waited a long time for this.”
Once the skatepark was open, it was kept busy throughout its first day, as bikers, skaters and scooters riders tried it out.
The skatepark's opening during this year's Olympics is appropriate, since in four years skateboarding will make its Summer Olympics debut in Tokyo.
Check out the first day's skatepark action in the video above.
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CLEARLAKE, Calif. – St. Helena Hospital Clear Lake welcomed patients at 7 a.m. Wednesday after patient care services were interrupted for 64 hours due to the Clayton fire.
The hospital, which is located within the fire evacuation area on 18th Avenue in Clearlake, was fully staffed to provide patient care in all departments on Wednesday, including the emergency room.
Patients began arriving at the hospital emergency department early Wednesday morning and scheduled outpatient procedures resumed promptly at 7 a.m.
Hospital staff celebrated the resumption of service at a morning gathering and were updated by the hospital incident commander and Vice President of Patient Care Colleen Assavapisitkul.
“This devastating fire has only reaffirmed our mission and purpose in this community,” said David Santos, president and CEO of St. Helena Hospital Clear Lake. “We are blessed to continue providing the high quality care that our friends and neighbors in Lake County deserve.”
St. Helena Hospital Clear Lake was cleared to resume service by the California Department of Public Health after a full survey of the hospital facility and its operational procedures.
The facility received evacuation orders on Aug. 14 as the fire moved toward the city of Clearlake, but did not sustain any damage.
Extensive air cleaning processes were implemented and forensic analysis completed by an industrial hygienist confirmed that air quality was appropriate for patient care.
Thorough cleaning and equipment testing was performed in every department to ensure each area was safe and ready to welcome patients to the quiet, comfortable environment they expect.
The Konocti Wellness Center on the campus of Lower Lake High School did not sustain any visible fire damage but remains closed.
All other outpatient services are fully operational and are open for their regularly scheduled hours to serve the community.