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NORTHERN CALIFORNIA – California Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones reported that he has obtained agreements from insurers handling Valley and Butte wildfire damage claims to help fire victims begin their recovery more quickly.
Jones' office reported that more than 5,000 structures have been destroyed or damaged between the two wildland fires – Cal Fire's assessments showing that more than 1,950 structures, including more than 1,300 homes, were destroyed in the Valley fire alone – thousands of residents face the long and painful task of recovery, which often includes trying to reconstruct destroyed or missing documents.
In an effort to speed that recovery, insurers representing 90 percent of the claims resulting from the fires have agreed to claims handling reforms requested by Jones that will bring more timely payments and flexibility with some of the deadlines and documentation typically required by insurers.
“Expediting the insurance claim process is the right thing to do,” said Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones. “I applaud the effort insurers have made to streamline claim handling and pay consumers quickly, so fire victims may begin to put their lives back together.”
After such destructive wildfires, policyholders often find many of the things the insurance company needs to process their claim are missing or were destroyed in the fire, such as home inventories and vehicle ownership papers.
Under this agreement, policyholders may receive advance payment for up to four months of additional living expenses, 25 percent of policy limits for personal property, and expedite the process for debris removal-a first step in rebuilding.
In addition to the more than 5,000 property claims, more than 1,000 vehicles were damaged or destroyed in the fires, Jones' office reported.
Insurers have also agreed to speed payment for damaged or destroyed vehicles and provide at least 30 days billing leniency for lost renewal notices or those who do not have the ability to have their mail forwarded.
Immediately following the fires, Commissioner Jones visited the burn areas to survey the damage, meet with residents, make sure insurers were on-site taking claims, and to talk to CDI staff who were on site assisting residents. The commissioner also met with state fire and emergency management and local officials.
Jones mobilized the department's resources to make sure consumers had access to the assistance and support the department provides, such as helping consumers navigate the recovery process.
He also directed the department's law enforcement team to meet with residents and educate them on how to avoid scam artists who prey on vulnerable victims.
When the local assistance centers opened, the department's consumer services team was on hand to assist consumers, and they remain on scene.
Policyholders who need assistance with their claim or have questions, may contact the Department of Insurance Consumer hotline at 800-927-4357 or visit the department's Web site for tips and advice.
The following is a list of Insurers participating so far in the voluntary policy reforms. Other insurers may respond to the department's request.
– CSAA Insurance Group (AAA Northern California);
– Farmers Insurance Group (Including Foremost);
– Hartford Fire & Casualty Group;
– State Farm Mutual Group;
– United Services Automobile Association Group (USAA).
To find out if your insurer is participating, please call Consumer Services at 800-927-4357.
UPPER LAKE, Calif. – Westamerica Bank's Upper Lake branch is on schedule to close by the end of the week, with officials reporting that there will be no banking establishment to replace it.
Posted at the entrance of the bank, located at 9470 Main St., is a sign that says that the branch will close permanently at 6 p.m. Friday, Oct. 16.
“No action is necessary on your part and there will be no interruption in your banking service,” the notice states.
The notice also informs customers that all of the Upper Lake branch's accounts and loans will automatically transfer to the Lakeport branch, located at 650 N. Main St.
The California Department of Business Oversight, which is the agency that is responsible for overseeing state-chartered banks like Westamerica, confirmed that there will not be another banking institution coming into town to take Westamerica's place.
“Hopefully the closure will not create too big of a banking services void in the community,” said Tom Dresslar, a special assistant to Department of Business Oversight Commissioner Jan Lynn Owen.
In communications that began with the California Department of Business Oversight in December, Westamerica Bank cited low transactional volume “which does not support having a branch in the current location” as a reason for closing the bank.
When the bank announced its plans to customers at the start of the year, members the Upper Lake community – as well as surrounding towns that relied on the bank – objected, beginning a spirited petition drive that got the attention of local and state officials, as Lake County News has reported.
County leaders, state Sen. Mike McGuire, Assemblyman Bill Dodd and the Department of Business Oversight got involved in the effort to find a solution, which involved other banking institutions also contemplating having a presence in downtown.
Upper Lake has had its own bank since 1921. In the late 1970s the town's bank, then known as Bank of Lake County, became Westamerica Bank. It was sold to the Napa Valley Bank in 1988 but once again became Westamerica Bank in the 1990s, according to a bank history.
Westamerica's Upper Lake branch is the only bank on the 85-mile stretch of the Highway 20 corridor between Williams and Ukiah.
Eventually, as a result of further negotiations with the Department of Business Oversight this spring, Westamerica Bank agreed to delay a closure until the middle of October.
Officials like Dodd and McGuire had indicated they were using the extension to look at options for bringing in another financial institution.
Mendo Lake Credit Union also was exploring options, but so far has not publicly announced any decisions about an Upper Lake location.
“It's unfortunate it didn't work out,” Dresslar said.
“At least we got the petitions and we go the extension,” said Debbie Hablutzel, president of the Upper Lake Community Council.
She said that, for many older people, the additional time to make new banking arrangements was helpful.
Hablutzel said community members and customers have had no direct contact from Westamerica in recent months, noting that about a month after the extension was announced, the bank reduced hours to noon to 4 p.m. weekdays.
She said Upper Lake's merchants continue to hope that one of the local banking institutions will provide an ATM in downtown.
A longtime Westamerica Bank customer, Hablutzel said she's already in the process of moving her accounts to another institution in response to Westamerica's actions.
Email Elizabeth Larson at
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Teams headed by California’s Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery, or CalRecycle, are on the ground in Lake, Calaveras and Trinity counties to coordinate the cleanup and removal of harmful debris left behind by a string of devastating wildfires.
CalRecycle operations are nearing completion at the homeowner-approved sites in Trinity County, and debris removal work is under way at properties damaged by the Butte, Valley, Rocky and Jerusalem fires.
“CalRecycle is committed to using our resources and expertise to put the victims of these wildfires in a position to rebuild,” CalRecycle Director Scott Smithline said. “We’re moving forward with the urgency required to ensure the rapid, safe removal of the debris to protect the safety of the residents and their environment.”
California Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr.’s Office of Emergency Services tasked CalRecycle with the design, implementation and oversight of the cleanup operations.
The department then worked with experts from the affected counties, the Department of Toxic Substances Control, and other state, federal and local officials to coordinate planning and operations.
In all cases, teams execute hazardous waste sweeps – conducted by California’s DTSC or U.S. EPA – and extensive site documentation and testing at affected properties before debris removal begins.
Regarding the cleanup for the 76,0670-acre Valley fire, the state reported that more than 1,200 damaged properties have been documented, with 1,005 right of entry agreements signed.
The US EPA is conducting initial hazardous waste sweeps, with CalRecycle-contracted site documentation/sampling teams follow, officials said.
Debris removal began Oct. 3, with CalRecycle explaining that schools and surrounding properties are a top priority in addition to neighborhoods with a mix of burned homes and non-burned homes.
Residents can contact the Debris Removal Operations Center in Middletown for more information on debris removal status and scheduling by calling 707-987-1958.
CalRecycle said it has documented 76 damaged properties for the Rocky and Jerusalem fires, which burned 69,438 and 25,118 acres, respectively. So far, more than 36 right of entry agreements have been signed.
Hazardous waste sweeps and the work of CalRecycle-contracted site documentation/sampling teams follow are taking place, with debris removal beginning on Oct. 1, the state said.
CalRecycle said it also is working on debris removal for the Butte fire in Amador and Calaveras counties and for the fires in Trinity County.
Following the initial debris removal work, CalRecycle will conduct extensive tests, remove hazardous trees near damaged structures and take measures to control erosion in the burn areas.
Residents who wish to take advantage of CalRecycle’s debris removal assistance will need to sign right-of-entry agreements. Those who wish to conduct their own cleanup may do so, but should be aware of all safety and environmental standards and requirements.
Individual counties will have guidelines available for residents who wish to pursue this option.
Lake County residents should contact Lake County Environmental Health, 707-263-1164, for more information on right of entry agreements and self-cleanup standards.
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Since 1998, Domestic Violence Awareness Month has been observed across the United States during the month of October.
Lake Family Resource Center is once again leading local events in an effort to bring a voice and awareness to the community that will help to break the silence.
Outreach events include the “Health Cares about Domestic Violence Day,” on Wednesday, Oct. 14.
Health care providers and community members are encouraged to wear the color purple, the symbolic hue for domestic violence awareness.
Purple represents the courage, survival, honor and dedication to ending domestic violence, remembering victims and honoring survivors. It has a long history of being used as a symbol by women seeking justice.
This awareness-raising day aims to reach members of the health care community and educate about the critical importance of screening for domestic violence.
The second event will be held beginning at 9 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 17, rain or shine, at Lake Family Resource Center, located at 5350 Main St. in Kelseyville.
The town of Kelseyville will be decorated in purple as the second annual Power of Purple Walk to End Domestic Violence will take place.
Participants are encouraged to raise awareness of the issue by embracing the color purple. The walk is a non-timed and free event, however donations are gratefully accepted.
Once the walk is completed, refreshments will be offered. Parking is available at the lower parking lot of Kelseyville High School.
The last event is a “Because We Have Daughters” workshop from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 24, at Kelseyville Presbyterian Church, 5340 Third St.
The workshop will provide a unique opportunity for fathers to learn about their daughters’ realities by sharing laughter, games and educational activities, followed with snacks and fun discussions about any insights they gained from the activities.
The goal of the workshop is to help men understand what it would be like for their daughters, and all women, to live fully and freely without fear of violence. Call 707-279-0563 to reserve your space.
It takes a coordinated effort by all corners of the community – law enforcement, advocates, community groups, and schools – to combat the scourge of domestic violence and declare that it will not be tolerated in our community.
Lake Family Resource Center encourages the community to be heard and spread the word.
NORTH COAST, Calif. – Among the many entities raising funds to assist those impacted by the Valley fire is a partnership including a state Legislator and a regional credit union.
Not long after the Valley fire broke out, Redwood Credit Union joined several other local organizations that were accepting financial donations to help victims.
Since then, the credit union has received donations at a secure Web site, www.redwoodcu.org/lakecountyfirevictims , at its 16 North Bay and San Francisco branches and through other fundraisers.
In the four weeks since the fire started, Redwood Credit Union has raised $1.85 million, which was given by 7,500 donors, said Robin McKenzie, senior vice president of Redwood Credit Union's marketing and communications.
Contributors included individual sponsors, organizations and businesses that either donated directly or did their own fundraisers and benefits, McKenzie said.
In the first three weeks, they received many calls, emails and contacts offering help. “It was quite a blur,” she said.
McKenzie also called the response “inspiring.”
McKenzie said 100-percent of donations are going to victims and fire relief efforts, with Redwood Credit Union covering all administrative costs and processing fees.
And donations continue to come in, she said.
The money in Redwood Credit Union's Lake County Fire Relief is being gathered through the nonprofit entity, Redwood Credit Union Community Fund Inc., McKenzie said.
She said the fundraising effort is a partnership between Redwood Credit Union and the Santa Rosa Press Democrat, in conjunction with state Sen. Mike McGuire's office.
“As a community, we all wanted to help,” said McKenzie, noting the shock and concern felt for Lake County's fire victims.
She said the partnership reached out to Cal Fire, the Lake County Sheriff's Office and the Lake County Office of Emergency Services, collaborating with them as advisors for the fundraising effort's committee.
They also reached out to Lake County Superintendent of Schools Brock Falkenberg and to the superintendents of the three directly impacted school districts – Middletown, Konocti and Kelseyville – to gauge needs, she said.
Additional partnerships have been formed with North Coast Opportunities, Community Action Partnership Sonoma and other nonprofits, McKenzie said.
Because of the way the law works with such giving, Redwood Credit Union can make allocations through its advisory fund, but can't do an application process like that used by North Coast Opportunities, the charter for which allows that kind of process, McKenzie explained.
So far, McKenzie said about $555,000 has been disbursed for urgent needs.
“First responders was one of our focuses,” she said.
She said $25,000 has been allocated specifically to help the firefighters and sheriff's deputies who lost their own homes while responding to the Valley fire.
Other areas of concern included children in schools and animals, McKenzie said.
McKenzie said about 350 students and staff in the Kelseyville, Konocti and Middletown school districts also were a focus of assistance, with the effort providing gift cards for clothes and school supplies.
She explained that the partnership did extensive outreach on animal care for pets and livestock. That led to a $100,000 grant to the Lake County Farm Bureau to help cover costs for housing large livestock, as well as grants of $1,000 per family that needed livestock support.
McKenzie said North Coast Opportunities had so many applications that Redwood Credit Union stepped in to partner and help identify needs for urgent care.
As a result, she said there 241 grants of $1,500 each through North Coast Opportunities applicants, as well as assistance to emergency centers for housing and food costs.
Separately, North Coast Opportunities recognized the “significant” contribution from Redwood Credit Union's Lake County Fire Victim Relief Fund
McGuire also has assisted by helping direct Redwood Credit Union and its partners to area of need, McKenzie said.
McKenzie said McGuire and his office have served as a primary information hub for the effort.
In addition to working to disburse funds for urgent and immediate needs, McKenzie said they also are looking and mid- and long-range needs – including housing support – with a view to supporting economic recovery and rebuilding.
“At this point in time, we see that the need is still being identified in Lake County,” she said.
As such, McKenzie said they will continue to collect funds for the foreseeable future.
“We're in it to support Lake County through recovery,” she said.
Email Elizabeth Larson at
LAKEPORT, Calif. – The Lake County Library invites the public to get to know about Lake County’s Konocti Regional Trails in the Oct. 17 installment of “Know Lake County,” a free lecture series.
The diverse programs take place on the third Saturday of each month from February through December at 2 p.m. at Lakeport Library, 1425 N. High St.
Tom Nixon, a retired California State Parks ranger, will use maps and photos to illustrate the past, present and future of the Konocti Regional Trails network.
Konocti Regional Trails' community pathways, land trails and water trails span Lake County from Clear Lake to the tops of mountains.
Outdoor enthusiasts can explore Konocti Regional Trails' many options on foot, by water, car or bicycle.
For more information about Konocti Regional Trails visit www.konoctitrails.com .
Nixon spent 23 years as a California State Parks ranger in Lake County at the Anderson Marsh State Historic Park and Clear Lake State Park.
Nixon and his wife Val, also a retired ranger, now volunteer their expertise with several environmental and outdoor organizations including Konocti Regional Trails, the Lake County Land Trust, Anderson Marsh State Historic Park and Mount Konocti County Park.
Know Lake County delves into many facets of Lake County, including human history, natural history, outdoor recreation, science, performing arts and programs for children.
The family-friendly programs are designed to inform and entertain Lake County residents about Lake County.
Some programs will cover interesting lore about the county and others will cover the work that community organizations perform.
Upcoming Know Lake County programs will feature Mike Adams from the Soper Reese Theatre in November and Carolyn Jarrett from the Children’s Museum of Art and Science in December.
Know Lake County will continue in 2016 with a new series of lectures beginning in February.
Know Lake County’s full 2015 schedule is posted on the Lake County Library’s Web site, http://library.lakecountyca.gov . For more information about Know Lake County and other library programs call 707-263-8817.
The Lake County Library is on Facebook at www.facebook.com/LakeCountyLibrary .
Jan Cook works for the Lake County Library.