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MENDOCINO NATIONAL FOREST, Calif. – Over the past week the Mendocino National Forest has been locating and containing fires following some 350 lightning strikes hitting the forest Monday and Tuesday.
Forest spokeswoman Tamara Schmidt said a total of six fires were located and contained.
All of the fires are small – seven acres or less, Schmidt said.
On the Grindstone Ranger District, located on the east side of the forest, the Green Springs Fire was half an acre. Schmidt said the Kneecap Fire was contained this weekend at just under seven acres.
On the Covelo Ranger District, located on the northwest side of the forest, the Calamese and Blands fires, each single-tree fires, were controlled early in the week, Schmidt said.
On the Upper Lake Ranger District, located on the southwest side of the forest, the half-acre Windy Fire was discovered late in the week and controlled Saturday, Schmidt said.
The Monkey Rock Fire was also contained at a quarter-acre on the Upper Lake Ranger District, according to Schmidt.
She said the forest is continuing to fly daily recon looking for additional fires.
As conditions continue to dry out and warm up, firefighters anticipate discovering more lightning fires in coming days, Schmidt said.
“We were able to catch all of these fires early and keep them relatively small due to the vigilance and hard work of our firefighters,” said Forest Fire Management Officer Curtis Coots. “With the ongoing drought, this rapid response is important not only in preserving water resources, but also reducing impacts on already stressed natural resources out in the forest.”
Forest visitors are asked to be aware of their surroundings and to be prepared for changing conditions. This includes reporting visible smoke that could be from a wildfire.
To report a fire, please call 911.
The Mendocino National Forest is currently under fire restrictions. Visitors are asked to follow regulations and be careful with anything with a flame or that can throw a spark in the forest. For more information, visit www.preventwildfireca.org/OneLessSpark/ .
For updates follow the forest on Twitter, @MendocinoNF.
NORTHERN CALIFORNIA – Four firefighters were injured on Sunday evening while working a fire in Nevada County.
The firefighters were injured on the Lowell fire, which began on Saturday west of Alta.
Cal Fire officials previously had reported that the fire had burned 4,000 acres, but on Sunday said that better mapping caused them to reduce the size estimate to 1,500 acres, with 15-percent containment.
The difficult-to-access fire made terrain-driven runs in the afternoon to evening, Cal Fire said.
The two Cal Fire firefighters and two US Forest Service firefighters were burned while fighting the fire and were airlifted to the UC Davis Medical Center's burn center, officials said.
Three of the firefighters – the two from Cal Fire and one from the US Forest Service – were expected to be treated and released on Sunday night, with the remaining US Forest Service firefighter was to be admitted to the hospital with serious burn injuries, Cal Fire said.
Cal Fire said it activated one of its serious accident review teams to review the incident that led the injuries.
Resources assigned on Sunday to the Lowell fire included 1,111 fire personnel, 77 engines, 31 fire crews, five air tankers, 14 helicopters, 26 dozers and three water tenders, Cal Fire said.
The fire continues to threaten 1,800 homes in Nevada and Placer counties, with mandatory evacuations in nearby communities and an evacuation advisory in place for the Cascade Shores community. An evacuation center remains open at Nevada Union High School in Grass Valley.
The cause remains under investigation, with investigators no longer looking for a vehicle of interest seen in the area where the fire started.
The Lowell fire is expected to be fully contained on Aug. 1, Cal Fire said.
Cal Fire also adjusted the acreage on the state's largest wildland fire incident currently, the Wragg fire in Napa and Solano counties, sparked on Wednesday afternoon near Lake Berryessa.
On Sunday Cal Fire rolled the size estimate back to 6,591 acres with 65-percent containment.
The fire is expected to be fully contained on Tuesday, Cal Fire said, with dozers and hand crews continuing to construct fire line in steep and rugged terrain.
Cal Fire said a damage inspection was completed. Officials found two outbuildings have been destroyed, with three outbuildings and one residence damaged. A water supply wellhead also was damaged, a walnut orchard sustained damage and two vehicles were destroyed.
Late Sunday approximately 1,410 firefighting personnel remained assigned to the incident, along with 100 fire engines, 34 fire crews, 10 helicopters, 11 dozers and 16 water tenders, Cal Fire said.
In other fire news around the state, the Queen fire – which began on Saturday southeast of Pecwan in Humboldt County – remained at 200 acres, with containment rising to 29 percent on Sunday, according to Cal Fire.
Also on Sunday, firefighters fully contained the 3-11 fire northeast of Bieber in Modoc County. Cal Fire said it burned a total of 116 acres since Thursday.
Email Elizabeth Larson at
KELSEYVILLE, Calif. – The 75th quilt block on the Lake County Quilt Trail is “KFD.”
The 8-foot by 8-foot quilt block is located at Kelseyville Fire District Station 55 at 4020 Main St.
“KFD” is sponsored by the James (Jim) Alexander family – Janet, Michele and Eric.
Jim Alexander moved his family to Kelseyville in 1972 to own and operate Jim’s Arco Station. The station was next door to the fire department.
He became very involved with the fire department and served on the board of directors for
many years.
In 2006 the new modern fire house was built on the site of Alexander’s station.
The Kelseyville Fire Protection District has served the community since 1925. “KFD” is intended to honor all volunteers – past, present and future.
This quilt block’s design is inspired by the Maltese cross.
The legend of the Maltese cross grew as it became associated with the admirable qualities of loyalty, bravery and defender of the weak.
Today, firefighters across the country wear the time-honored Maltese cross on their uniform and apparatus.
The Lake County Quilt Trail is an agricultural and tourism project designed to promote community pride.
The quilt block was drawn and painted by the Lake County Quilt Trail team, a group of dedicated quilters, graphic artists, painters, writers, carpenters and a videographer.
For more information about the Lake County Quilt Trail visit www.lakecountyquilttrail.com or check out the group's Facebook page.
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Lake County Animal Care and Control has another shelter full of summertime kittens this week.
There are tiny tabbies, little black kittens, grays, orange tabbies and white cats with Siamese-type markings, plus some very lovely adult cats.
In addition to spaying or neutering, cats that are adopted from Lake County Animal Care and Control are microchipped before being released to their new owner. License fees do not apply to residents of the cities of Lakeport or Clearlake.
If you're looking for a new companion, visit the shelter. There are many great pets there, hoping you'll choose them.
In addition to the animals featured here, all adoptable animals in Lake County can be seen here: http://bit.ly/Z6xHMb .
The following cats at the Lake County Animal Care and Control shelter have been cleared for adoption (other cats pictured on the animal control Web site that are not listed here are still “on hold”).
'Tilly'
“Tilly” is a tiny female tabby kitten looking for her first home.
She's got a short gray and white coat.
She's in cat room kennel No. 4a, ID No. 2158.
'Sasha'
“Sasha” is a little female tabby kitten.
She's got a short gray and white coat.
Sasha is in cat room kennel No. 4b, ID 2163.
'Khloe'
“Khloe” is a little tabby female kitten.
She's got a short gray and white striped coat.
Khloe is in cat room kennel No. 4c, ID No. 2164.
'Zena'
“Zena” is a little female tabby kitten.
She has a short gray and white striped coat with a nifty orange mark on her forehead.
Zena is in cat room kennel No. 4d, ID No. 2165.
Domestic short hair kitten
This male kitten has a short gray coat, and he loves to play.
He's in cat room kennel No. 10b, ID 2592.
Domestic short hair kitten
This male kitten has a short black coat, big yellow eyes and plenty of energy.
He's in cat room kennel No. 10c, ID 2593.
Domestic short hair kitten
This female kitten has a short black coat and yellow eyes, and enjoys time with people.
She's in cat room kennel No. 10d, ID 2594.
Female domestic medium hair mix
This female domestic medium hair mix.
She has a white coat with gray markings and blue eyes, and a Siamese look.
She's in cat room kennel No. 13, ID No. 2512.
Domestic short hair mix kitten
This male kitten has a short white coat with gray and orange markings, and he likes to play in boxes.
He's in cat room kennel No. 34a, ID No. 2553.
Gray tabby kitten
This male kitten has a short gray tabby coat.
He enjoys lounging around or playing – he's comfortable with either activity.
He's in kennel No. 34b, ID No. 2556.
Domestic medium hair mix
This young male domestic medium hair mix cat has a gray tabby and white coat, and a rather charming expression.
He's in cat room kennel No. 34c, ID No. 2634.
Domestic short hair mix
This young female domestic short hair mix cat has an all-gray coat and green eyes.
She's in cat room kennel No. 83, ID No. 2687.
Domestic short hair mix
This handsome male cat has a short, all-gray coat, and big, lovely green eyes.
He's waiting to meet you in cat room kennel No. 100, ID No. 2688.
Domestic long hair mix
This young female domestic long hair mix has an orange coat with very distinctive tabby markings.
She's in kennel No. 105a, ID no. 2614.
Female domestic short hair mix
This young female domestic short hair mix is has an orange tabby coat with white markings.
She also loves to play, with cat toys being one of her favorite distractions.
She's in cat room kennel No. 105b, ID No. 2615.
Adoptable cats also can be seen at http://www.co.lake.ca.us/Government/Directory/Animal_Care_And_Control/Adopt/Cats_and_Kittens.htm or at www.petfinder.com .
Please note: Cats listed at the shelter's Web page that are said to be “on hold” are not yet cleared for adoption.
To fill out an adoption application online visit http://www.co.lake.ca.us/Government/Directory/Animal_Care_And_Control/Adopt/Dog___Cat_Adoption_Application.htm .
Lake County Animal Care and Control is located at 4949 Helbush in Lakeport, next to the Hill Road Correctional Facility.
Office hours are Monday through Friday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., and 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Saturday. The shelter is open from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday and on Saturday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Visit the shelter online at http://www.co.lake.ca.us/Government/Directory/Animal_Care_And_Control.htm .
For more information call Lake County Animal Care and Control at 707-263-0278.
Email Elizabeth Larson at
CLEARLAKE, Calif. – A wildland fire that resulted in evacuations of homes in the Clearlake and Lower Lake areas was close to being fully contained shortly before 8 p.m. Sunday.
The Dam fire was first reported at around 4 p.m. Sunday in the area behind the Cache Creek Apartments at 16080 Dam Road in Clearlake, as Lake County News has reported.
On Sunday night, Cal Fire reported that the fire had burned a total of between eight and 10 acres, with 90-percent containment.
Cal Fire said firefighters have stopped the forward rate of spread of the fire and are working on containment and control lines.
Fire crews on the ground and Cal Fire air attack hit the fire hard and fast, battling high winds that caused three spot fires to travel a far as a mile and a half away from the main fire, according to Cal Fire Battalion Chief Greg Bertelli.
Officials said the Cache Creek Apartments in Clearlake were evacuated, as were homes in the area of Mustang Court, Bonham Road, Quarterhorse Lane, Pebble Road, Winchester Street and Stagecoach Lane in Lower Lake.
Evacuees were sent to a temporary evacuation center set up in the Clearlake Walmart parking lot. The Lake Evacuation and Animal Protection group also was activated on a precaution.
The fire destroyed a mobile home on Dam Road and did some minor damage to an exterior wall on a building in the apartment complex, but not enough to make the building uninhabitable, according to Lake County Fire Chief Willie Sapeta, whose agency had unified command with Cal Fire.
Sapeta said they still hadn't had a chance to fully assess other possible property damage.
There were no injuries, according to fire officials.
Evacuees were anticipated to be allowed to start returning to their homes by around 8:30 p.m., officials said.
Lake County Fire and other local fire agencies worked closely with Cal Fire on the incident, with the fire initially starting in the Local Responsibly Area before moving into the State Responsibility Area.
Total resources on scene Sunday evening included 123 personnel plus five overhead/command staff, 14 engine/truck companies, five water tenders, four fire crews, six bulldozers, one helicopter and two air tankers.
With temperatures predicted to be in the triple digits this week, fire officials are asking the community to show special caution due to the increased fire danger.
Email Elizabeth Larson at
This story has been updated.
CLEARLAKE, Calif. – Firefighters are at the scene of a wildland fire that has caused the evacuation of a nearby apartment complex, with reports of additional fires stretching local fire resources.
The main fire is located behind the Cache Creek Apartments on Dam Road in Clearlake.
The latest report from Cal Fire, issued at 5:30 p.m., said the Dam fire has burned 10 acres.
That acreage remained the same about an hour later, with containment reported to be 50 percent from incident command at the scene.
Firefighters were dispatched to the area at around 4:05 p.m. on the report of a small wildland fire with structures threatened.
Initial units on the scene found the fire quickly moving through the vegetation and getting fanned by high, erratic winds, according to radio reports.
Due to the conditions, at around 4:30 p.m. firefighters began to evacuate the complex and set up an evacuation center in the parking lot of the nearby Walmart.
By 5 p.m. the fire had topped three acres and was pushing around both sides of the complex, with the eaves on the south side of the westernmost building in the apartment complex reported to be burning.
At around the same time, another fire was reported in the area of Bryant Road, as well as another spot fire farther down Dam Road, according to reports from the scene.
Power lines were reported to be down on Bryant Road as well as Dam Road.
Lake County Fire and Cal Fire were the initial agencies to respond, with a request for an in-county strike team put out to all Lake County agencies just after 5 p.m.
Law enforcement units also were requested to assist with evacuations between the fire and the Lower Lake area.
Minutes later, a separate fire was reported to be burning in the Cache Creek Mobil Home Estates on Dam Road, with structures threatened. Lakeport Fire was asked to respond due to all resources in Clearlake already being committed. However, firefighters were unable to locate that fire.
Lake County Office of Emergency Services and Red Cross were notified about the Dam fire and the Lake Evacuation and Animal Protection group – LEAP for short – also was asked to respond to the evacuation area at Walmart on precaution.
Shortly before 6:30 p.m., Cal Fire Battalion Chief Greg told Lake County News that firefighters were making good progress on the fire, which was remaining at around 10 acres despite the extremely erratic winds that were bouncing around the apartment complex.
“It's looking better. It was a mess,” he said, adding, “We've got all the agencies in Lake County here.”
The fire was pushing south of a homeless encampment in the area, Bertelli said.
He said two to three structures had been damaged, but there were no injuries.
The fire was spotting as far as a mile and a half away from the main body of the fire, Bertelli said.
Resources from the Wragg fire in Napa and Solano counties responded to the Dam fire, including four helicopters and four air tankers, Bertelli said.
One hundred and 50 personnel from the Wragg fire in Napa and Solano counties also were responding at one point, but Bertelli canceled them at around 6:30 p.m.
Bertelli said at 6:30 p.m. that he was anticipating getting evacuees back to their homes in about four to five hours.
Additional information will be posted as it becomes available.
Email Elizabeth Larson at
