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LAKEPORT, Calif. – The skies over Lake County have been filled this week with air traffic as a result of the Valley fire.
Aircraft play a key role the fight against the Valley fire, which broke out Saturday in the Cobb area, and in a matter of hours had spread to Hidden Valley Lake and Middletown.
A number of the copters working the incident are based at Lampson Field.
Crazy Creek Gliderport in Middletown had previously served as a helibase during the Rocky and Jerusalem fires, but with the gliderport being in the Valley fire area, the staging area for helicopters moved to Lampson's safer location.
The helicopters being used on the incident include an Astar B3, which needs to be fueled as often as every two hours of use during the fires, according to Ben Crittenden, a senior firefighter with the Big Hill Helitack from Eldorado National Forest.
Crittenden also pointed to a Bell 2-12 and three Bell 205 Vietnam era-style helicopters.
The helicopters are used for various operations, including water drop buckets that hold typically 250 or more gallons of water, Crittenden said.
The largest of the helicopters at Lampson are the two Sikorsky Skycranes, which Crittenden said are both capable of carrying more than 2,000 gallons of water to drop on the fire.
Then there is the S61 Croman, which Crittenden said is another large tanker craft used for water drops.
At the end of the day, crews refuel, perform any required maintenance and hold a debriefing.
LAKEPORT, Calif. – Local and state officials offered an update on Thursday afternoon regarding the latest developments on the multiagency effort to respond to the Valley fire.
The press conference at the Lake County Courthouse in Lakeport featured District 5 Supervisor Rob Brown, Cal Fire Battalion Chief Mike Smith, Sheriff Brian Martin, Dave Fukutomi of the California Office of Emergency Services and Social Services Director Carol Huchingson.
“I'm devastated by the destruction that our community has faced in this disaster,” Brown said, “The damage is immense and widespread.”
He said the victims aren't just his constituents, they're his friends and neighbors. “I know that this county has a resiliency and a sense of community that makes it special,” he said, adding the community will band together, help each other and accept help. “We will be strong.”
Brown thanked everyone working on the fire as well as those from around the nation who have offered support and donations. “We are coordinating an unprecedented response to this disaster.”
He encouraged people to visit www.lakecountylac.com for information on the help available.
Smith said at that point that there were nearly 3,600 firefighters from around the Western United States working to contain the fire.
On the incident's fifth day, Smith said the size estimate remained at 73,700 acres with 35-percent containment.
He said the recent rain helped, but warmer temperatures are on the way, and firefighters can't be lulled into a state of complacency. Firefighters are continuing to fight the fire on all fronts, and are protecting infrastructure and homes.
Martin said it was coming to the point where the the county would need to start moving into the recovery phase.
He said his agency had been offering escorts to residents into certain evacuated areas in order to feed pets and livestock.
However, Martin said those escorts were suspended and resources were redirected to preparing to repopulate the evacuated areas.
Martin asked that anyone needing to have animals checked call Lake County Animal Care and Control to make arrangements.
The sheriff's office is continuing the process of following up on several missing persons' reports, Martin said. He asked anyone who believes someone is missing to call the sheriff's office at 707-263-2690.
He said the number of confirmed fatalities remained at three.
“We expect and anticipate we are going to find more,” Martin said. “This fire simply moved too fast for us to respond and for people to get out in a timely manner.”
Martin added, “It's tragic. It's devastating, and we want to ensure that we don't have any more loss of life.”
He said a lot of the areas in the fire were going to remain closed, but officials are actively working on repopulation efforts.
He said repopulation has started in some of the outlying edges of the fire areas, including Berryessa Estates in Napa County. Residents there were able to start returning home at 2 p.m. Thursday.
Martin said authorities need to make sure areas are safe before letting residents return. “Just because the fire appears to be out, doesn't mean that all of the hazards have been mitigated.”
He warned of many hazards, including falling and damaged trees, downed power lines and hazardous materials left behind as a result of the fire.
“Know that we are working to get you back in as soon as possible,” Martin said.
Martin said outside law enforcement agencies are sending in personnel to help with patrolling evacuated areas to protect against those taking advantage of the situation.
“Our officers are out patrolling the evacuated areas day and night,” he said.
He said several arrests have been made in the fire area for crimes including impersonating an officer, possession of burglary tools and drug charges. Details at that time were pending about the arrests of three Bay Area men found in the fire area, one of them with a concealed weapon, with burglary tools also in the car.
Fukutomi said Cal OES is on the scene to support the county and coordinate the state agencies helping local government and survivors.
Dozens of emergency managers from around the state are in Lake County to assist local agency representatives as they work on response and recovery, he said.
With the governor's emergency declaration in place, Cal OES is working to advance funds to offset the costs to local government in responding to the fire, Fukutomi said.
He said Cal OES will continue to be present to support local agencies and community members as the recovery process takes place.
Huchingson said she's leading the team that has been working on care and shelter throughout the event.
She said county staffers are running a shelter at the Highlands Senior Center in Clearlake, with the Red Cross in charge of a shelter at Kelseyville High School.
Huchingson said the Kelseyville High School shelter will close and evacuees will transition to Grace Church in Kelseyville on Friday afternoon.
She said they are now planning for sheltering in Middletown once the roads reopen and evacuees from the south county begin to return.
It's not yet been determined whether the county or the Red Cross will operate the Middletown shelter, which will be located at Twin Pine Casino's event center.
She said Middletown Rancheria has been incredibly supportive and generous. “We just can't thank them enough for welcoming our shelter operation there.”
Huchingson said a local assistance center is anticipated to open at the Middletown Library and Senior Center on Saturday. However, if the community has not yet been repopulated at that point, the center's opening will coincide with the time of residents returning home.
It's also anticipated that the repopulation will take place in phases, and the shelter in Napa County will remain open during those phases, Huchingson said.
Those wanting to volunteer to help are asked to visit www.ncoinc.org and sign up, Huchingson said.
In addition, Fukutomi said people from out of the area who want to volunteer can sign up at www.californiavolunteers.org to help meet the county's needs.
Email Elizabeth Larson at
SOUTH LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Firefighters held the Valley fire to no growth in acreage on Thursday, as more firefighters and resources joined the effort.
The fire remained at 73,700 acres on Thursday night, the end of its fifth day, with containment also unchanged at 35 percent.
The number of homes destroyed that have been counted so far remained at 585 on Thursday, with the number threatened down to 7,473.
Cal Fire said fire crews made good progress on Thursday, constructing and improving control lines.
While smoke could be seen from burning interior islands, it was well within the fire's perimeter, Cal Fire said.
After rain on Wednesday, firefighters encountered warmer temperatures on Thursday. The forecast calls for temperatures near the century mark this weekend.
On Thursday afternoon, Sheriff Brian Martin said residents in and around the community of Berryessa Estates were allowed to return to their homes.
As a result of the lifting of that mandatory evacuation order, the closure at Butts Canyon Road at Aetna Springs Road was opened and moved north to Butts Canyon Road and Snell Valley Road. New closures were established at the entrance of Aetna Springs Road and the entrance of James Creek Road.
Mandatory evacuations remaining in effect in Lake County cover Butts Canyon Road to the Napa County line, Cobb, Seigler Canyon, Loch Lomond, Middletown, Hidden Valley Lake, all residences on Bottle Rock Road from Harrington Flat Road, all residences on SR 175/Cobb, all residences on Highway 29 at Highway 53 south to Highway 29 at Tubbs Lane in Calistoga, officials said.
Cal Fire said the cancellation of additional evacuation orders are being evaluated based on a variety of factors, including potential fire behavior and reestablishment of critical infrastructure.
Martin said authorities were working to make sure residents would be safe before allowing them to return home, adding that they are working to get community members back to their homes as soon as possible.
By day's end, more firefighters had joined the effort to contain the fire. Approximately 3,921 firefighters and 84 fire crews were assigned by Thursday night, along with a fleet of 441 engines, 72 dozers, 70 water tenders, 18 helicopters and two air tankers.
Email Elizabeth Larson at
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – As a partner to the county of Lake and the Office of Emergency Services, North Coast Opportunities’ Volunteer Network has become the official volunteer coordinator to meet the volunteer needs of all shelters and operations supporting evacuees.
“The county of Lake and the Emergency Operations Center is grateful to NCO for taking a leadership role in organizing and supporting volunteers for the Valley Fire relief and recovery efforts,” said Marisa Chilafoe, Lake County Office of Emergency Services manager, who directs the Emergency Operations Center.
“This is a critically important role for the victims – to help them heal – and for the community, to give them a way to help. Thank you,” Chilafoe said.
Volunteers interested in helping with the Valley fire evacuees and associated activities must preregister with NCO Volunteer Network by going to www.ncoinc.org and selecting “Volunteer.”
Once preregistration is complete, which includes listing skills and resources that can be offered, the volunteer will be in the system and will receive regular email updates with opportunities as they arise.
“At this time, the need is for sheltering and donation management services. This includes food prep, janitorial and housekeeping assistance, playing with and entertaining children, and unloading, sorting and organizing donations,” said Rebecca Enberg, NCO Volunteer Network manager. “We expect, however, that volunteer needs will evolve and continue as rebuilding efforts get under way.”
Rebuilding efforts may need people who have or can operate heavy equipment, have and can offer tools, building supplies, materials, and other expertise.
Registering on the NCO Web site will guarantee that any and all interested volunteers will be made aware of opportunities in real time.
North Coast Opportunities is a nonprofit community action agency based in Ukiah and focused on serving Lake and Mendocino counties, as well as Del Norte, Humboldt, Napa, Solano and Sonoma counties.
NORTHERN CALIFORNIA – California Attorney General Kamala Harris has issued a consumer alert on reports of price gouging by businesses, namely hotels, during the devastating wildfires that have swept our state.
The attorney general also issued a warning that the California Department of Justice is prepared to investigate and prosecute those that attempt to wrongfully profit from the destructive fires that are driving Californians out of their homes.
"As first responders fight to save communities from raging wildfires and thousands of Californians face devastation and hardship, it is exploitative and also unlawful for businesses to engage in price gouging," said Harris.
California’s anti-price gouging statute, Penal Code Section 396, becomes effective immediately after the governor or a local official declares a state of emergency.
Gov. Jerry Brown declared a state of emergency in Calaveras and Amador counties on Sept. 11, and in Lake and Napa counties on Sept. 13.
California law generally prohibits charging a price that exceeds, by more than 10 percent, the price of an item before the declaration of emergency.
This law applies to those who sell food, emergency supplies, medical supplies, building materials and gasoline.
The law also applies to repair or reconstruction services, emergency cleanup services, transportation, freight and storage services, hotel accommodations and rental housing.
Exceptions to this prohibition exist if, for example, the price of labor, goods, or materials have increased for the business.
Violations of the price gouging statute are subject to criminal prosecution that can result in one-year imprisonment in county jail and/or a fine of up to $10,000.
Violators also are subject to civil enforcement actions including civil penalties of up to $5,000 per violation, injunctive relief and mandatory restitution.
The attorney general and local district attorneys can enforce the statute.
Anyone who has been the victim of price gouging, or who has information regarding potential price gouging, is encouraged to immediately file a complaint with the Attorney General's Office by going to the attorney general's Web site or by calling 800-952-5225.
HIDDEN VALLEY LAKE, Calif. – Three Bay Area men were arrested early Thursday after they were found in the Valley fire area, with one of them carrying a concealed weapon and burglary tools found in the vehicle.
Dyami Gene Connell, 23, and 28-year-old Michael James Jimenez, both of Brisbane, and 23-year-old David Michael Cesari of San Francisco were taken into custody following a vehicle stop, according to Lt. Steve Brooks of the Lake County Sheriff's Office.
At 2:55 a.m. a Lake County Sheriff’s deputy was patrolling the evacuation area around Hidden Valley Lake. Brooks said the deputy parked at the intersection of Jerusalem Grade and Spruce Grove Road, conducting enforcement stops in the evacuated area.
Brooks said the deputy noticed a white Toyota Tacoma which, turned onto Jerusalem Grade from Spruce Grove road. He also noticed that the vehicle contained three male subjects.
The deputy conducted an enforcement stop of the vehicle and contacted Connell, who was the driver. Brooks said Connell was wearing camouflage clothing. Jimenez, the front passenger, was wearing camouflage pants and a black jacket while Cesari, the rear passenger, was wearing all black clothing.
Brooks said the three men told the deputy that they were going out Jerusalem Grade to get fuel. When the deputy questioned their story, they told him that they were going to access Knoxville to get around the hard road closure.
When he asked them to describe how they were getting around the closure and what the directions were to get to Lower Lake, they were unable to tell him, Brooks said.
The deputy asked them if they turned right or left after the Jerusalem Bridge and the driver said they were going straight at that point. Brooks said the deputy, who is familiar with the area, knew that you cannot drive straight, due to a fence and small embankment.
While talking to the subjects, Brooks said the deputy could smell the odor of marijuana emitting from the passenger area of the vehicle. He asked the subjects repeatedly if they possessed any weapons or drugs, which they all denied.
The deputy informed the subjects that he was going to search the vehicle. When he removed Cesari from the vehicle, he felt a hard object in his front right jacket pocket. Brooks said the deputy removed the object and found it to be a loaded .40-caliber magazine.
Brooks said the deputy then asked Cesari where the firearm was and he said it was tucked in the small of his back at his waistline. The deputy then removed a semi-automatic .40-caliber pistol, which was underneath a heavy jacket. He inspected the firearm and discovered it was loaded.
The deputy continued his search of the vehicle and located a full face concealing mask, three pairs of gloves, tools, duct tape, zip ties, numerous key rings with keys, acetone, lighter, headlamps, flashlights, binoculars, empty plastic bags, empty garbage bags, a backpack and large knives, according to Brooks.
The deputy noticed that the wheel wells of the vehicle had visible mud and he believed they had found a way around the hard closure through private property. Brooks said the subjects claimed to live on Black Bass Pass, but Central Dispatch had no incident history tying them to the residence.
All three subjects maintained they were not burglarizing residences. However, Brooks said a Napa County Sheriff's deputy had informed the deputy that the Toyota was spotted on Cobb the night before and it was believed they had possibly been burglarizing residences.
The Napa deputy had described the vehicle as being a white Toyota with a camper shell, which matched the description of the vehicle the men were in, Brooks said.
Cesari was arrested for possession of burglary tools, entering a closed disaster area, having a concealed unregistered firearm with ammunition, carrying a concealed firearm, carrying a loaded firearm in public and conspiracy to commit a crime, Brooks said.
Brooks said Connell was arrested for possession of burglary tools, entering a closed disaster area and conspiracy to commit a crime.
Jimenez was arrested for conspiracy to commit a crime and entering a closed disaster area, Brooks said.
All three subjects were transported to the Lake County Hill Road Correctional Facility and booked. Brooks said the bail for each man currently is set at $100,000.