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UPPER LAKE, Calif. – A Jackson woman was arrested Wednesday for driving under the influence after she crashed her vehicle on Highway 20, an incident which sparked a wildland fire.
Shellie D. Boulais, 52, was arrested for misdemeanor driving under the influence, according to the California Highway Patrol's Clear Lake Area office.
The CHP said that Boulais was driving a 2008 Acura MDX east on Highway 20, east of Scotts Valley Road, at an unknown speed when the crash occurred at approximately 3:55 p.m.
Due to Boulais' level of intoxication, she allowed the Acura to travel off the highway's north side and down an embankment, the CHP said.
The crash sparked the Saratoga Fire, which spread to both sides of Highway 20.
The highway was closed while state, local and federal firefighters worked at the scene.
The CHP said the highway reopened Wednesday night.
Due to the fire, the collision scene wasn't immediately available to CHP investigators. The crash is still being actively investigated, the agency said.
Boulais, who was wearing her seatbelt, suffered minor injuries and was transported to Sutter Lakeside Hospital for treatment, the CHP said.
The CHP said Boulais later was booked into the Lake County Jail on the misdemeanor DUI charge.
As of Wednesday night, the Saratoga Fire had burned 100 acres and was 30-percent contained, according to Cal Fire.
Email Elizabeth Larson at
CLEARLAKE, Calif. – The Yes on Measure R Committee is developing a walking campaign to provide voters with information regarding the sales tax initiative for the city of Clearlake, and to seeks proponents who would like to volunteer their assistance.
The committee meets at 5 p.m. every Thursday at Main Street Bar & Grill on Lakeshore Drive in Clearlake.
Measure R proposes a half-cent specific sales and use tax to be used for clean up and improvements across Clearlake.
A successful initiative is estimated to generate $760,000 annually to fund a Problem Oriented Solving Team (POST) to specifically address code enforcement, animal control and crime reduction.
The proposed expenditure plan for the POST in 2015-16 allocates anticipated revenues as follows: team personnel, $240,000; animal control, $142,000; training, $15,000; materials/supplies/vehicle(s), $60,000; contract services (towing), $40,000; abatement, $100,000; and contingency for cost allocation and other potential costs (I.e. legal expenses, noticing, community clean up day), $163,000.
According to Clearlake City Manager Joan Phillipe, the allocation for abatement would act as “seed money” and abatement expenses would be placed on the property tax rolls.
The measure includes a 10-year sunset clause that is to be reviewed at five years to determine if should be lowered to a quarter-cent.
Measure R also requires the formation of an oversight committee for annual review of expenditures.
The committee spearheading the “Yes on Measure R – For a Cleaner Clearlake” campaign seeks assistance in educating voters on the facts of the November ballot measure.
About a dozen people attended the initial meeting held on Aug. 28, contributing funds to initiate its signage efforts.
Additionally, the committee has established a Facebook page for the purpose of providing information to the public and answering its questions in regard to the measure.
Committee member Gina Fortino Dickson, who clarified her involvement as a private citizen, not as Clearlake's vice mayor, said the page is not to be used as a forum for debate.
For information regarding how to assist with the Yes on Measure R campaign, contact Vicki Leonard, committee secretary, at 707-994-5922.
Campaign contributions may be made directly at Westamerica Bank; or sent, payable/attention to “Yes on Measure R,” PO Box 2163, Clearlake, CA 95422.
Email Denise Rockenstein at
State health officials are reminding Californians to remain vigilant against the threat of West Nile virus, with a spike seen in human cases.
“The proportion of mosquitoes infected with West Nile virus is at the highest level ever detected in California,” said Dr. Ron Chapman, director of the CDPH and state health officer.
“Last week, 52 new human cases were reported to CDPH,” Chapman said. “We expect to see more people become infected as this is the time of year when the risk of infection is the highest.”
So far in 2014, West Nile virus has been detected in 37 California counties, the state reported.
There have been 181 human cases reported to CDPH, a significant increase compared to the 101 cases reported by this time last year.
Eight confirmed deaths have been reported to CDPH.
In Lake County, there have been no human cases this year so far, the state said.
However, there have been 15 dead birds, 63 positive mosquito samples and two sentinel chickens in Lake County in 2014, according to the state.
West Nile virus is transmitted to humans and animals by the bite of an infected mosquito.
For most people, the risk of serious illness is low. However, some individuals – less than 1 percent – can develop a serious neurologic illness, such as encephalitis or meningitis.
People 50 years of age or older and people with diabetes and/or high blood pressure have the greatest risk of developing serious complications.
CDPH recommends that individuals prevent exposure to mosquito bites and West Nile virus by practicing the “Three Ds:”
– DEET: Apply insect repellent containing DEET, picaradin, oil of lemon eucalyptus or IR3535 according to label instructions. Repellents keep the mosquitoes from biting you. DEET can be used safely on infants and children 2 months of age and older.
– DAWN AND DUSK: Mosquitoes bite in the early morning and evening so it is important to wear protective clothing and repellent if outside during these times. Make sure that your doors and windows have tight-fitting screens to keep out mosquitoes. Repair or replace screens with tears or holes.
– DRAIN: Mosquitoes lay their eggs on standing water. Eliminate all sources of standing water on your property, including flower pots, old car tires, and buckets. If you know of a swimming pool that is not being properly maintained, please contact your local mosquito and vector control agency.
California’s West Nile virus Web site, http://www.westnile.ca.gov/ , includes the latest information on West Nile virus activity in the state.
Californians are encouraged to report all dead birds on the Web site or by calling toll-free 1-877-WNV-BIRD (968-2473).
UPPER LAKE, Calif. – A wildland fire sparked by a vehicle crash Wednesday afternoon continued to grow into the evening, as firefighters worked to increase containment.
The Saratoga Fire, located off Highway 20 and Saratoga Springs Road west of Upper Lake, had reached 100 acres by 9 p.m., according to Cal Fire.
The fire is 30-percent contained, Cal Fire said.
Along with Cal Fire, fire agencies that responded to the incident included Lakeport Fire, Northshore Fire and the Mendocino National Forest.
Lake County Office of Emergency Services Manager Marisa Chilafoe told Lake County News that no evacuations have been ordered in the area so far.
Highway 20 – which had the fire burning on both sides of it – had at one point been closed, with one-way traffic control in place from Scotts Valley Road to Blue Lakes for several hours.
Just after 9:30 p.m., the California Highway Patrol said the highway was open, with the fire away from the roadway.
The fire began at around 4 p.m., following a single-vehicle wreck, according to the CHP.
The vehicle went into a ditch, the CHP said, with the fire beginning shortly thereafter.
The CHP said the wreck resulted in minor injuries.
Email Elizabeth Larson at
UPPER LAKE, Calif. – Firefighters are battling a large wildland fire sparked late Wednesday afternoon by a vehicle crash along Highway 20.
The incident, which has been dubbed the Saratoga Fire, was estimated by Cal Fire to be 90 acres and 20-percent contained just after 6 p.m.
The California Highway Patrol reported that a vehicle went into a ditch and caught fire shortly before 4 p.m. in the area of Highway 20 near Scotts Valley Road.
The crash – which the CHP said resulted in minor injuries – caused vegetation on both sides of the roadway to catch fire.
Firefighters from Northshore Fire, Lakeport Fire, Mendocino National Forest and Cal Fire responded, with engines and air resources also at the scene, radio reports indicated.
CHP subsequently reported that Highway 20 was closed to through traffic at Blue Lakes Lodge and at Scotts Valley Road.
Just after 6 p.m., officials reported that Scotts Valley Road was open in both directions in order to divert traffic around the closure, but Highway 20 remained closed.
Additional information will be posted as it becomes available.
Email Elizabeth Larson at
NORTHERN CALIFORNIA – The California Office of Emergency Services will be holding its annual Search and Rescue Exercise – or SAREX – at Skyline Wilderness Park in Napa from Friday, Sept. 5, through Sunday, Sept. 7.
There will be an estimated 350 volunteer Search and Rescue professionals in attendance.
This year's event is co-hosted by the Napa, Solano and Lake County Sheriff's Offices Search and Rescue teams and will play host to more than a dozen different volunteer Search and Rescue organizations.
The group recognized the Skyline Wilderness Park Board of Directors for graciously donating the use of parts their facilities for this large scale rescue training in recognition of the assistance these volunteers provide throughout the years to citizens who use the park's many trails.
Search dogs, rescue helicopters, and ATVs will be a common sight at the park this weekend.
SAR volunteers from Solano, Napa, and Lake Counties have worked hard in advance to minimize any impacts this event may have to the surrounding neighborhood.
Any questions or concerns regarding the SAREX event may be made via email to
For more information about the various Search and Rescue teams hosting the event, visit the following Web sites: Lake County Search and Rescue, http://www.lakesheriff.com/ServicesPrograms/sar.htm ; Napa County Search and Rescue, http://www.napasar.org/ ; and Solano County Search and Rescue, http://www.co.solano.ca.us/depts/oes/volunteer/search_n_rescue_%28sar%29.asp .