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LAKEPORT, Calif. – Two dead birds and one mosquito sample from Lake County have tested positive for West Nile virus this week, according to a Friday report.
So far this year in Lake County, a total of eight mosquito samples and two dead birds in the county have tested positive for West Nile virus, according to Dr. Jamesina Scott, Lake County Vector Control's district manager and research director.
The dead birds, both American crows, were collected in Nice and the city of Clearlake, Scott said.
The eight West Nile virus-positive mosquito samples were all Culex tarsalis – or western encephalitis mosquito – and were collected from Clearlake Oaks (4 samples), Upper Lake (2 samples), Kelseyville (1 sample), and Lower Lake (1 sample), according to Scott.
“Statewide, West Nile virus activity is higher than usual and increasing rapidly,” said Scott. “The hot days and warm nights mean that the virus multiplies faster.”
Statewide, 36 California counties have detected West Nile virus this year, mainly in mosquitoes and dead birds. Eight human cases have been reported in California this year.
Officials said residents should avoid mosquito bites and West Nile virus by taking these simple steps:
– Avoid being outside at dusk and dawn when mosquitoes are most active.
– Use an insect repellent that contains Picaridin, Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus, IR3535 or DEET. Always read and follow label directions.
– Dump or drain water where mosquitoes lay their eggs.
“If residents have a pool that’s out of service (not being filtered and chlorinated), they can contact us for free mosquito-eating fish,” said Scott. “One neglected pool can produce thousands of mosquitoes every day and affect people up to five miles away. We’re glad to provide mosquitofish to help people keep their families and the community safe from mosquitoes and West Nile virus.”
Besides out-of-service swimming pools and spas, mosquitofish can be used in animal watering troughs, ornamental ponds, and other sources of standing water that cannot be drained.
Residents are encouraged to contact the Lake County Vector Control District at 707-263-4770 or to fill out a service request online at www.lcvcd.org to report neglected pools, request service for mosquito problems, or to get mosquito fish. Anonymous reports are accepted.
People of any age or health status can become sick from West Nile virus, but people over age 50, or who have cancer, diabetes, hypertension or kidney disease are at greater risk for the more severe forms of the disease.
About one in five people who are infected with West Nile virus will develop a fever with other symptoms that may include headache, body aches, joint pains, vomiting, diarrhea or rash.
Most people with this type of West Nile virus disease recover completely, but fatigue and weakness can last for weeks or months.
While less than 1 percent of individuals (about 1 in 150 people) infected with West Nile virus will develop severe illness from the infection, the disease can cause symptoms that can last for several weeks, and neurologic effects can be permanent. In some individuals, the infection can be fatal.
For more information about West Nile virus, visit http://www.westnile.ca.gov/ or http://www.cdc.gov/westnile .
Information about mosquito repellents can be found on the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Web site at http://www.cdc.gov/westnile/faq/repellent.html .
NORTHERN CALIFORNIA – On Friday the governor declared a state of emergency due to the major wildland fire incidents around California and also honored a United States Forest Service firefighter who died on an incident in Modoc County.
Gov. Jerry Brown issued the state of emergency proclamation in response to a series of wildland fires that began June 17 in the counties of Butte, El Dorado, Humboldt, Lake, Madera, Napa, Nevada, Sacramento, San Bernardino, San Diego, Shasta, Solano, Tulare, Tuolumne and Yolo.
“California’s severe drought and extreme weather have turned much of the state into a tinderbox,” said Gov. Brown. “Our courageous firefighters are on the front lines and we’ll do everything we can to help them.”
The wildfires have taxed state resources and “require the combined forces of a mutual aid region or regions to combat,” the proclamation said.
The governor on Friday also offered his condolences to the family of U.S. Forest Service Firefighter David Ruhl, 38, of Rapid City, South Dakota, who served in the Mystic Ranger District of the Black Hills National Forest in South Dakota.
Ruhl, who had been with the U.S. Forest Service for 14 years, died Thursday while on assignment at the Frog fire, which by Friday night had burned 1,000 acres in the Modoc National Forest outside Alturas.
“Anne and I were saddened to learn of the tragic death of U.S. Forest Service Firefighter Dave Ruhl, who left his home state to help protect one of California’s majestic forests,” Gov. Brown said. “Firefighter Ruhl will be remembered for his service and bravery and we extend our deepest condolences to his family, friends and colleagues with the U.S. Forest Service.”
In honor of Ruhl, Gov. Brown ordered flags in the State Capitol to be flown at half-staff.
In other state fire news, on Thursday, at the request of Cal Fire and the California Office of Emergency Services, the California National Guard mobilized nine of its helicopters to help battle the Northern California wildfires.
The nine Army National Guard aircraft active in supporting Cal Fire include four UH-60 Black Hawk, two CH-47 Chinook, two LUH-72 Lakota and one HH-60 Black Hawk medevac helicopters.
The aircraft provide water bucket, medical evacuation and personnel and equipment transportation capabilities.
Then, on Friday, the Guard activated two C130 MAFFS air tankers, which Cal Fire said will provide additional equipment and personnel to augment its forces during the high level of fire activity California is experiencing across the state.
“The mutual aid system here in California is world class and allows us to reach out to Cal Guard and others to support major incidents like these fires,” said Cal OES Director Mark Ghilarducci.
In 2014, Cal Guard aircraft dropped more than 1.2 million gallons of water and retardant on wildfires across California. The aircraft also collected nearly 200 hours of valuable video, streaming real-time and thermal imagery of the fires to incident commanders on the ground. In addition, about 300 Cal Guardsmen were trained as ground crews to help contain the fires.
Friday proved to be day of extreme fire activity across Northern California, with lightning sparking dozens of new fires, according to Cal Fire.
As of Friday night, more than 8,000 firefighters were working on 23 large fires, Cal Fire said.
The agency also reported that the threat of dry thunderstorms is continuing across much of Northern California through the weekend, resulting in elevated fire danger due to dry lightning and gusty winds.
A red flag warning has been issued by the National Weather Service across the northern part of the state due to the dry thunderstorms and gusty winds.
For information on wildland fire preparedness, visit www.ReadyForWildfire.org .
The following is a summary of major wildfire incidents around the state, with size estimates through late Friday night.
Cal Fire incidents
– Barker fire: Began July 31 in Trinity County; 500 acres, no estimated containment. Evacuations in effect. Cause is under investigation.
– Advance fire: Began July 30 in Tulare County; 86 acres, 50-percent contained.
– Sprig fire: Began July 30 in Shasta County; two fires totaling 90 acres, 100-percent contained.
– Humboldt lightning fires: Began July 30 in Humboldt County; 71 fires totaling 205 acres, 20-percent containment.
– Mendocino lightning fires: Began July 30 in Mendocino County; six fires totaling 50 acres, 80-percent contained.
– Rocky fire: Began July 29 near Lower Lake in Lake County; 18,000 acres, 5-percent containment. Twenty-eight structures destroyed, 6,100 threatened. Evacuations in effect. Cause is under investigation.
– Big Creek fire: Began July 29 in Tuolumne County; 204 acres, 45-percent containment. Cause is under investigation.
– China fire: Two fires that began July 29 in Shasta County; two fires for a total of 212 acres, 85-percent contained. Evacuations lifted. Cause is under investigation.
– Mallard fire: Began July 29 in Shasta County; 75 acres, 100-percent contained. Cause is under investigation.
– Swedes fire: Began July 29 in Butte County; 400 acres, 80-percent contained. Evacuations have been lifted. Cause is under investigation.
– Buck fire: Began July 28 in Humboldt County; 16 acres, 85-percent contained.
– Lowell fire: Began July 25 in Nevada County; 2,303 acres, 75-percent contained. Evacuation advisories are in effect. One structure destroyed. Six injuries. Cause is under investigation. Estimated full containment: Aug. 3.
– Queen fire: Began July 25 in Humboldt County; 158 acres, 85-percent contained. Two injuries. Cause is under investigation.
– Wragg fire: Began July 22 in Napa and Solano counties; 8,051 acres, 92-percent contained. Evacuations lifted. Two outbuildings destroyed, three outbuildings and one residence damaged, with 136 structures threatened. No injuries reported. Cause is under investigation. Estimated full containment: Aug. 3.
Unified command incidents
– Rail fire: Began July 31 in Trinity County; 800 acres, no estimated containment; Evacuations in progress.
– Willow fire: Began July 25 in Madera County; 4,394 acres, 40-percent contained. No injuries reported. Caused by arson.
Federal incidents
– Fork Complex: Began July 30, Trinity County; 2,500 acres, no estimated containment. Evacuations in place.
– River Complex: Began July 30, Trinity County; 1,000 acres, no estimated containment. Voluntary evacuation advisory in place.
– Frog fire: Began July 30 in Modoc County; 1,000 acres, no estimated containment.
– Mad River Complex: Began July 30 in Trinity County; 400 acres, no estimated containment.
– Etsel Fire: Began July 30 in Mendocino County; 20 acres, no estimated containment.
– Cabin fire: Began July 29 in Tulare County; 2,000 acres, no containment reported. Caused by lightning.
– Cutca fire: Began July 24 in San Diego County; 167 acres, 80-percent contained. No injuries reported. Cause is unknown.
– Lake fire: Began July 16 in San Bernardino County; 31,359 acres, 98-percent contained. No injuries reported. Human caused; remains under investigation.
– Washington fire: Began June 19 in Alpine County; 17,790 acres, 99-percent contained. No injuries reported. Caused by lightning. Estimated full containment: July 31.
Email Elizabeth Larson at
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – The Rocky fire is continuing to grow and its movement southwest towards Lower Lake and the east side of Clearlake has prompted a new evacuation advisory.
The Lake County Sheriff’s Office and the Clearlake Police Department have issued the advisory for the possible evacuation for all areas east of Highway 53 from Riata Road south of Lower Lake north to Highway 20, including Ogulin Canyon.
An evacuation advisory is not a mandatory evacuation, but it is strongly recommended, officials said.
Residents are advised to gather their medications, pets and important papers.
Residents should be prepared to leave the area with little notice.
If residents are evacuated they may seek shelter at the Middletown High School, 20932 Big Canyon Road, or the Kelseyville High School, 5480 Main St.
The Lake County Office of Emergency Services has an information line set up at 707-263-2360 and is posting updates on the Lake County OES Facebook page.
This story has been updated.
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – The Rocky fire made a Thursday evening run, scorching thousands of more acres of wildland and moving toward an area east of Clearlake Oaks that prompted officials to advise residents there to be prepared for the possibility of evacuating.
Early Friday Cal Fire said the fire had grown to 15,000 acres, with containment remaining at 5 percent.
By the end of Thursday more than 900 firefighters from all over the state were assigned to the incident, working to protect some 450 structures, with an estimated 650 residents having been evacuated since shortly after the fire started.
Three structures have so far been destroyed, Cal Fire said.
Over the course of Thursday evening, the size estimate on the fire jumped by 5,000 acres as it moved in a northerly direction, toward Highway 20, according to a late night report from the Lake County Sheriff's Office.
With concerns that by Friday the fire could reach Highway 20 and possibly cross it between New Long Valley Road and the Double Eagle Ranch subdivision east of Clearlake Oaks, the sheriff's office and allied agencies began advising residents of the possibility that a mandatory evacuation could be ordered.
The evacuation advisory that was issued covers the Double Eagle Ranch and homes along the Highway 20 corridor between New Long Valley Road and east to the county line, officials reported.
On Thursday night, the fire could be seen from that area along the highway, with firefighters responding to a report of a fire near New Long Valley Road. Ultimately, no fire was found, with units on scene concluding that the reporting party had seen the main fire in the distance.
Evacuation orders remain in place for Morgan Valley Road, east of Bonham Road; Spruce Grove Road, north of intersection with Jerusalem Grade Road; Noble Ranch Road; Jerusalem Grade Road; and Cantwell Ranch Road.
An evacuation shelter is open at Middletown High School, 20932 Big Canyon Road, telephone 707-312-0395.
Meanwhile, in an attempt to take advantage of cooler temperatures, firefighters continued their work through the night, Cal Fire reported.
Cal Fire said Friday that more resources from around the state are on the way to work on the fire, in addition to the 988 personnel, 151 engines, 32 fire crews, 31 water tenders, 30 dozers, eight air tankers and eight helicopters currently committed.
Early Friday, the Lake County Sheriff’s Office said it was working with Lake County Animal Care and Control to check on animals and livestock which were left within the fire evacuation area.
Those residents who are concerned about the welfare of animals that were left within the evacuation area are urged to contact Lake County Animal Care and Control at 707-263-0278.
The sheriff’s office said it will attempt to accommodate requests to check the welfare of pets or livestock depending on fire conditions.
Email Elizabeth Larson at
NORTHERN CALIFORNIA – Thousands of additional firefighters joined efforts on Thursday to contain a growing number of summer wildland fires.
Cal Fire said that as of Thursday evening, 8,000 firefighters were battling 18 major wildland fires around California, including several that are in the national forest and nearing full containment.
The largest fire in the state burning in Cal Fire jurisdiction is the Rocky fire, burning since Wednesday afternoon near Lower Lake. As of 5 a.m. Friday, the size estimate remained at 13,500 acres, with 5-percent containment.
Lake County and a number of other counties around Northern California are under special weather statements due to higher temperatures, the possibility of thunderstorms and elevated fire danger.
The Friday forecast calls for very warm temperatures with low afternoon humidity levels.
For information on wildland fire preparedness, visit www.ReadyForWildfire.org .
The following is a summary of major wildfire incidents around the state, with size estimates through late Thursday night.
Cal Fire incidents
– Advance fire: Began July 30 in Tulare County; 150 acres, 5-percent contained.
– Sprig fire: Began July 30 in Shasta County; 90 acres, 80-percent contained.
– Humboldt lightning fires: Began July 30 in Humboldt County; 17 fires totaling 50 acres, no containment reported.
– Mendocino lightning fires: Began July 30 in Mendocino County; two fires totaling 27 acres, 80-percent contained.
– Rocky fire: Began July 29 near Lower Lake in Lake County; 13,500 acres, 5-percent containment. Evacuations in effect. Cause is under investigation.
– Big Creek fire: Began July 29 in Tuolumne County; 204 acres, 35-percent containment. Cause is under investigation.
– China fire: Two fires that began July 29 in Shasta County; 212 acres, 73-percent contained. Evacuations in effect. Cause is under investigation.
– Mallard fire: Began July 29 in Shasta County; 75 acres, 92-percent contained. Evacuations in effect. Cause is under investigation.
– Swedes fire: Began July 29 in Butte County; 400 acres, 60-percent contained. Evacuations in effect. Cause is under investigation.
– Buck fire: Began July 28 in Humboldt County; 16 acres, 85-percent contained.
– Lowell fire: Began July 25 in Nevada County; 2,303 acres, 70-percent contained. Evacuation advisories in effect. One structure destroyed. Six injuries. Cause is under investigation. Estimated full containment: Aug. 3.
– Queen fire: Began July 25 in Humboldt County; 158 acres, 85-percent contained. Two injuries. Cause is under investigation.
– Wragg fire: Began July 22 in Napa and Solano counties; 7,900 acres, 85-percent contained. Evacuations lifted. Two outbuildings destroyed, three outbuildings and one residence damaged, with 136 structures threatened. No injuries reported. Cause is under investigation. Estimated full containment: Aug. 3.
Federal incidents
– Cabin fire: Began July 29 in Tulare County; 1,900 acres, no containment reported. Caused by lightning.
– Willow fire: Began July 25 in Madera County; 3,383 acres, 30-percent contained. No injuries reported. Caused by arson.
– Cutca fire: Began July 24 in San Diego County; 167 acres, 75-percent contained. No injuries reported. Cause is unknown.
– Lake fire: Began July 16 in San Bernardino County; 31,359 acres, 98-percent contained. No injuries reported. Human caused; remains under investigation.
– Washington fire: Began June 19 in Alpine County; 17,790 acres, 99-percent contained. No injuries reported. Caused by lightning. Estimated full containment: July 31.
Email Elizabeth Larson at
NORTHERN CALIFORNIA – Davis Mayor Dan Wolk announced that he is running for the California State Assembly in 2016.
Specifically, Wolk is seeking the Fourth District State Assembly seat currently held by Assemblyman Bill Dodd, who earlier this month announced his plans to run for State Senate.
Assembly District 4 consists of Lake and Napa counties, most of Yolo County, as well as portions of Sonoma, Solano and Colusa counties.
“I am running for Assembly to ensure that everyone has the opportunity to succeed,” said Wolk. “As mayor and a county attorney, I have seen the challenges facing our region firsthand – in Sacramento, I will fight tirelessly and collaboratively to address them.”
Wolk – son of Third District State Sen. Lois Wolk – ran for the Fourth District Assembly seat in 2014, with Dodd ultimately winning the race.
In this latest race, Wolk joins Yolo County Supervisor Don Saylor, a Democrat who also is from Davis, and Republican Charlie Schaupp, who farms in Esparto.
Wolk outlined some of his top priorities, including fighting for the middle class, growing the local economy, ensuring a resilient water supply, protecting natural resources and guaranteeing access to quality education for California’s students.
Currently serving as mayor, Wolk has been on the Davis City Council since 2011. In that time, he has led efforts to construct a regional surface water project, pushed for greater investment in streets, parks and other vital infrastructure, promoted renewable energy initiatives and has passed fiscally responsible city budgets, while restoring the city’s rainy day reserves.
Wolk works as a deputy county counsel for Solano County, handling public finance, public contracting and water issues.
He also is the founder of the Legal Clinic of Yolo County, a legal services provider for low-income families.
Wolk grew up in Davis and attended local public schools, before attending Stanford University and receiving his law degree from UC Berkeley’s Boalt Hall.
He lives in Davis with his wife, Jamima, a former professional triathlete and small business owner, and their two daughters, Avery and Layla.
Wolk's Web site is http://danwolk.org/ .