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MENDOCINO NATIONAL FOREST, Calif. – Mendocino National Forest officials said Tuesday they are locating and taking actions to suppress fires started by lightning during Monday's storm.
State fire officials said there had been about 8,000 lightning strikes across Northern California as a result of lightning storms that began early Monday and extended into Tuesday.
The forest itself had several hundred lightning strikes early Monday morning, primarily in the southern half of the forest, officials reported.
Since Monday, the Mendocino National Forest has identified approximately 10 fires on the Upper Lake Ranger District on the west side of the forest and four fires on the Grindstone Ranger District, located on the east side of the forest.
All of the fires are small, between one-tenth and one-quarter of an acre, according to a report from forest headquarters. Most of the fires are contained and currently in patrol status.
The Streeter Fire, located off Streeter Ridge on the Upper Lake Ranger District, was discovered on Tuesday at 12:20 p.m. Officials said it's the only fire currently showing active behavior.
The report from forest headquarters said the Streeter Fire is estimated to be one-quarter acre, burning in heavy slash on steep terrain. The fire had helicopters dropping water to assist in containment.
As conditions continue to dry out and warm up, forest firefighters anticipate discovering more lightning fires in the coming days, officials reported.
Currently the Mendocino National Forest is not under fire restrictions. However, visitors are asked to be careful with fire when recreating on the forest. Following a very dry winter, there is an increased risk of wildfire this summer on the Mendocino National Forest.
To report a fire, please call 911.
For more information, please contact the Mendocino National Forest at 530-934-3316, or visit www.fs.usda.gov/mendocino . Updates also are available on Twitter @MendocinoNF.
LAKEPORT, Calif. – Hospice Services of Lake County's plans to remodel a Parallel Drive property to house its administrative offices and services for the community will be heard by the Lakeport Planning Commission this week.
The Lakeport Planning Commission's meeting will begin at 5 p.m. Wednesday, June 12, in the council chambers at Lakeport City Hall, 225 Park St.
The commission will consider Hospices Services of Lake County's application for architectural and design review and conditions of approval to allow the remodel of existing buildings and new site improvements at 1862 Parallel Drive.
All of the reports for the Hospice project can be found at http://www.cityoflakeport.com/departments/docs.aspx?deptID=68&;catID=220 .
The Parallel Drive location previously was the site of the Calvary Baptist Church, with a main, 5,700-square-foot building, a garage and a 1,600-square-foot residence on 4.5 acres, according to city planning documents.
Online property sales records show the building and associated property sold last December for $325,000.
Hospice Executive Director Anja Koot told Lake County News that the property's original asking price was $499,000.
“We've been looking to expand for a number of years because our daily patient load has doubled since 2009,” Koot said.
The organization, which has served Lake County for three decades, offers in-home palliative care for individuals with a life expectancy of six months or less, as well as a host of bereavement services, among them, individual and group counseling programs, and a grief camp for children.
Even before the recent increases in patients, finding a bigger location has been a goal for the organization.
In 2007, Hospice Services had been pursuing an agreement with Sutter Lakeside Hospital for a 50-year lease at the Wellness Campus in Lakeport, as Lake County News has reported. The idea later was abandoned.
The Baptist Church property has presented Hospice Services with a new opportunity to move forward with the needed expansion.
Koot called the project “very exciting,” and badly needed.
Hospice's administrative offices and clinical staff currently are located at 1717 S. Main St. – in the same building as its popular Lakeport thrift store – as well as a second Lakeport location.
Koot said Hospice Services has 28 clinical staffers, estimating that of those about 10 have been hired since 2009.
The organization also has additional thrift stores at 14290 Lakeshore Drive in Clearlake, 21257 Calistoga Road in Middletown and 6268 Highway 20 in Lucerne.
Koot said the thrift stores support important community bereavement programs, including the grief camps for children.
Once the new building is remodeled and 850 square feet of new space is added, Koot said it will offer 6,500 square feet, about double the organization's current Lakeport space.
When the administration shifts to the Parallel Drive property, that will allow the thrift store to expand into the rest of the building, Koot said.
Koot said it's estimated that the remodel and new build could take as long as seven months to complete, with hopes that it would be completed by 2014.
“Once the commission says OK, we'll be ready to go,” said Koot.
Hospice has committed to follow green building procedures, to recycle debris and any existing items that must be removed from the building.
It's also determined to hire all local contractors, subcontractors, consultants and suppliers, with the project financing to be contracted through a local bank, according to organization officials.
Following an advertisement for local contractors, they received interest from nine to 10 local businesses and prequalified four to submit bids, Koot said.
“We had really good response and we really want to keep everything that we can local,” she said.
She said the organization doesn't yet have a ballpark estimate for the remodel and new build, as the bids haven't come in yet.
The project is envisioned to be completed over three phases, with the first centered on the main building and garage, with the house to be renovated in the second phase and the third phase to work on landscaping, Koot said.
The large property will have a large conference room and other facilities for the bereavement program and space for the family bereavement day camps, which include outdoor activities and equine therapy, she said.
Koot said Hospice Services' goal is to provide the best for its patients and staff.
She said the work can be challenging for staff, and so they hope to create a comfortable environment in the new facilities.
City planning staff is proposing approval of the project, with 32 conditions to be required.
The proposed conditions run from installing a fire hydrant and submitting additional information about the property's septic system, to providing at least 27 parking stalls and frontage improvements, promotion of alternative transportation for employees, and reduction of glare impacts through selection of exterior paint and lighting.
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NORTHERN CALIFORNIA – Cal Fire reported late Monday that the majority of more than two dozen wildland fires within the agency's Sonoma-Lake-Napa Unit that had been sparked by a lightning storm early that morning had been contained.
The overnight storm resulted in nearly 6,000 lightning strikes across Northern California, with more than 50 fires in Cal Fire's jurisdiction alone.
Of those fires, Cal Fire said 25 were within the Sonoma-Lake-Napa Unit, an increase by five from an estimate earlier in the day.
The agency said the fires, located in difficult-to-access terrain, ranged in size from spots up to a four-acre fire that burned in Solano County and was fully contained Monday afternoon.
By Monday night, 11 of the 25 had been fully contained, with no buildings destroyed and no injuries reported, according to Cal Fire.
Among the fires contained so far were two near Upper Lake in Lake County, one on Elk Mountain Road and another off of Clover Valley Road, Cal Fire reported.
A fire on Leesville-Ladoga Road west of Williams in Colusa County, four fires near Vacaville in Solano County and four spot fires in Sonoma County also had been fully contained, the agency said.
Still burning are another 14 small fires in Sonoma County, the report said.
Approximately 129 personnel, 14 fire crews and four bulldozers remained committed to the incidents late Monday, Cal Fire said.
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LAKEPORT, Calif. – Lake County is gearing up for its new Spring Fair.
The inaugural event opens on Friday, June 14, and runs through Sunday, June 16.
“It was tough picking dates for a new spring event, but this weekend worked the best,” said Fair Chief Executive Officer Richard Persons. “Schools are all out and the last graduation is Friday, June 14. The weather should be great in the middle of June.”
Persons added, “The carnival was available and the fairgrounds calendar had an opening. And there are enough other activities to hopefully draw some tourists to Lake County, like the VW show in Lakeport and Middletown Days in the South County.”
The Lake County Spring Fair is a new event that combines several activities from past years, including a carnival, a home and garden pavilion, a car show and vocational education exhibits.
Other attractions include a variety of food, two stages of local entertainment, motorized grandstand activities, a laser tag building and various commercial displays.
Gates open all three days at 2 p.m., and admission is $5 per person for ages 6 and older. Children under 6 are admitted for free.
Carnival unlimited ride wristbands will be $25 each at the fair, but can be purchased through Thursday, June 13, for $20 at the fairgrounds office.
Parking is $5 per car, and benefits the Kelseyville High School softball program.
Local acts on the stages include an opening night performance by Twice As Good who will take to the Theater Main Stage at 8 p.m.
Before Twice As Good performs, the Snake Alley band will be on the stage for several sets on Friday afternoon and evening.
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The Theater Main Stage will host the Lake County Diamonds on Saturday, and the Mark Weston Band on Sunday, with several sets each day. The Mediacom Gazebo Stage will host the Cherry Road Gang for several sets all three days.
In addition to the musical acts, Fill-up the Clown will be strolling the grounds performing magic tricks, creating balloon animals, and generally creating laughter. In addition, a face painter will be active near the carnival entrance from the grandstands area.
Events in the grandstand arena include mud bogs on Friday evening, tuff truck and buggy and ATV races on Saturday evening, and an invitational auto race on Sunday evening. All grandstand shows start at 7:30 p.m. Local participants are also encouraged all three nights, and entry can be made through Lakeport Speedway at 707-279-9577.
Phil Lewis Hall will host a variety of home and garden displays, and a collection of 2012 Lake County schools vocational education projects will be on display. Fritch Hall will host a laser tag emporium open to the public.
“We tried to keep Father's Day in mind during planning for the event, so the laser tag is something dads can do with their kids. There is a small fee, but dads don't have to buy a wristband and ride the rides with the kids,” said Persons.
Other activities with dads in mind are the home and garden displays, along with two days of car shows.
“We've invited anyone with an antique, classic, or custom car to display it on Saturday, and anyone with a Corvette to display on Sunday,” said Persons.
Show cars, along with the driver and one passenger, will be admitted between noon and 2 p.m. Both days. They can enter the fairgrounds from C Street, and should RSVP to the fair office at 707-263-6181 or to
Cars will be on display from 2 p.m. Until 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Car clubs participating in the event include the Mt. Konocti Antique Auto Club, the No Name Car Club, the Clear Lake Car Club, the Lake County Model “A” Club, and the Corvettes of Lake County.
Food for the event will include traditional fair staples like corn dogs, cotton candy, hamburgers and ice cream. A variety of less traditional but fair-style fried dough, including mini doughnuts and doughboys, will be available with a variety of toppings on either.
Asian, European, and Mexican foods along with a wide variety of drinks and beers are available as well. Kettle cooked popcorn in a several flavors will compete for attention with fried cheese on a stick, fried asparagus and fried zucchini. Smoked ribs, pork schnitzel, bratwurst, kielbasa, and a variety of kabobs will round out the fare.
More information about the Lake County Spring Fair can be found at www.lakecountyfair.com or at the Fair's Facebook page.
NORTHERN CALIFORNIA – The Glenn County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the attempted murder of an Orland man who said he was shot by an unknown assailant.
The report from Sheriff Larry Jones said deputies and medics responding to a 911 call shortly after 10 p.m. June 8 found 66-year-old Larry Dean Embrey of Orland in the kitchen of his County Road 21 home, bleeding from the upper chest.
Embrey, who had called 911, told the emergency dispatcher he had been shot in the chest by an unknown Hispanic male, Jones said.
Jones said Embrey told deputies a Hispanic male who he didn't know knocked on his door, telling Embrey he had vehicle problems and wanted a ride.
Embrey invited the man inside his home, telling him he was going to get his truck keys. Jones said Embrey gave the man a ride down the road for a short distance near the intersections of County Roads 21 and N.
There, Embrey found a burgundy-colored SUV where another male was seated on the driver’s side. Jones said the man who Embrey had given a ride to exited Embrey’s pickup and the victim lost sight of him.
Embrey said he lowered his vehicle’s window and asked if everything was all right, but no one answered. Jones said Embrey recounted that he got out of his pickup and approached the SUV on foot.
As Embrey got next to the driver’s side of the SUV, the man he had given a ride to was now seated on the passenger side. Embrey said one of the men in the SUV asked him if he had some money for them. Embrey said that he had no money with him, Jones said.
Embrey told authorities that the man on the passenger’s side then leaned across the front of the SUV and he heard a loud bang. Jones said Embrey, not realizing he had been shot, ran back to his truck, drove back to his home and ran inside.
Embrey said he had his wife dial 911 as he loaded a shotgun. Jones said Embrey did not see which way the suspects went.
Embrey was stabilized at the scene by medical and Orland Fire Department personnel and was then taken to a local area hospital by air ambulance. Jones said Embrey was listed in stable/fair condition and is expected to recover from the injury.
Sheriff’s detectives were called to the crime scene and to the hospital to interview Embrey, Jones said.
Embrey described the man who came to his door as a younger Hispanic male, black hair, well kept, no facial hair, wearing red shorts, unknown colored shirt, black tennis shoes and an unknown colored cap on backwards. Tattoos were visible low on the suspect’s neck.
The second suspect could only be described as a Hispanic male. Jones said the SUV color was described as burgundy; make and model are unknown.
While robbery is a possibility, a motive for the shooting is yet to be established, Jones said.
Anyone with information regarding this crime is asked to call the Glenn County Sheriff’s Office at 707-934-6431. Callers may remain anonymous.
NORTHERN CALIFORNIA – A spectacular overnight lightning storm that moved over Northern California sparked more than 50 fires, fire officials said Monday.
State, local and federal officials said numerous lightning strikes occurred around Lake and its neighboring counties and other parts of Northern California.
A Monday afternoon report from Cal Fire said nearly 6,000 strikes had been recorded over the previous 24-hour period, with those strikes igniting more than 50 small fires in the state responsibility area throughout Northern California.
Of those, 20 were located in the Sonoma-Lake-Napa Unit, with the largest at four acres, followed by 20 fires in the Tehama-Glenn Unit, where the largest measured two acres; 11 fires in the Butte unit; and two fires in the Lassen-Modoc-Plumas Unit.
Mendocino National Forest spokesperson Tamara Schmidt told Lake County News that the forest had recorded hundreds of strikes within its boundaries, with the situation still being assessed, and no report on fires that had resulted in the forest's bounds.
Firefighters began responding to the lightning fires beginning early Monday morning.
In a fire that was outside of Cal Fire's jurisdiction, Lakeport Fire personnel were dispatched to a small wildland fire between Ackley Road and Highway 175 at about 6 a.m.
Lakeport Fire Chief Ken Wells said a lightning strike caused the fire.
“A walnut tree got hit,” he said.
That led to the grass around the tree's base igniting, he said.
It was a small spot, which Wells said was quickly extinguished.
Later in the morning, Lakeport Fire sent an engine to assist with a fire in the Mendocino National Forest's Horse Mountain area. That engine returned late in the afternoon.
Just before 6:30 a.m., firefighters were dispatched to two other lightning fires, one on Elk Mountain Road north of Upper Lake, and one on Clover Valley Road, northeast of Upper Lake, according to reports from the scene.
The Upper Lake fires were among the 20 blazes resulting from the storm and located in Cal Fire's Sonoma-Lake-Napa Unit, which covers the state responsibility area in Lake, Colusa, Sonoma and Solano counties. The fires all were estimated to have begun before 1 a.m.
At about the same time as the Upper Lake fires were dispatched early Monday, firefighters responded to a blaze on Leesville-Ladoga Road, west of Williams in Colusa County, according to Cal Fire.
Early Monday morning, firefighters also had been dispatched to 13 fires in Sonoma County in Cal Fire jurisdiction, including eight fires off Highway 128 in the Geyserville/Knights Valley area; two in the Chalk Hill Road area northeast of Windsor; one fire on Mountain Home Ranch Road west of Calistoga; one fire at the Sea Ranch Golf Course; and one fire on Mohrhardt Ridge, located northwest of Cazadero.
In Solano County, Cal Fire said there were four lightning-caused fires in its jurisdiction, including two on Pleasant Valley Road, northwest of Vacaville; one one Quail Canyon Road and Pleasant Valley, northwest of Vacaville; and one fire on Cantelow Road, north of Vacaville.
Cal Fire said 13 of the 20 fires it was overseeing were 100-percent contained by mid-afternoon Monday, with the largest fire reaching a total of two acres. No structures were reported damaged or destroyed, there were no injuries and roadways in the affected areas remained open.
Firefighters are continuing to actively work the remaining spot wildland fires in the court counties, but Cal Fire said the work has been made more challenging by the fires' location in remote, difficult-to-access areas.
Approximately 17 fire engines, two fire crews and 100 personnel were committed to the incidents on Monday, with additional resources ordered and en route, Cal Fire said.
The agency did not have an estimate for when all of the fires would be fully contained.
Cal Fire said all of the fires remain under investigation.
A June 2008 lightning storm with thousands of strikes ignited hundreds of fires around the region, including fires in the Mendocino National Forest and neighboring Mendocino County, as Lake County News has reported.
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