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LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Sunshine and blue skies make this time of year perfect for camping and outdoor activities. With the Memorial Day weekend approaching, Cal Fire reminds all Californians about the increased fire danger this year and asks everyone of to be extra careful in the outdoors.
“Holiday weekends are a great time for friends and families to go out and enjoy the outdoors, but we must all remain aware of the fire danger and the risks posed in the outdoors,” said Chief Ken Pimlott, director of Cal Fire. “We urge safety and preparedness when in wildland areas. California's extremely dry conditions are primed for wildfires, and it takes diligence from everyone to avoid sparking a fire."
With one of the driest winters on record, officials have already seen a drastic increase in fires. In an average year, by late May Cal Fire responds to approximately 850 wildfires.
Already this year, Cal Fire has responded to nearly 1,600 wildfires; that number is up 50 percent from last year at this time, when there were just under 1,050 wildfires.
Cal Fire would like everyone to remember these important steps this holiday:
Camping:
- Obtain a campfire permit;
- Check for local fire restrictions;
- Clear away grass, leaves and other debris within a 10-foot perimeter of any campfire;
- Have a responsible person in attendance at all times;
- Ensure all campfires are completely extinguished before leaving;
- When barbecuing, never leave the grill unattended.
With temperatures up, California's water ways are running high as remaining snow melts. Many take advantage of cooling off in local rivers, but this fun outdoor activity does come with risks.
Drownings claim adults and children alike, and Memorial Day Weekend tends to see a spike in drownings.
Under local agreements, Cal Fire responds to hundreds of water rescues across the state each year and even the strongest of swimmers can be caught off guard by strong currents or cold water.
Following these tips below can save lives:
In the water:
- Always wear a life jacket!
- Children should always be supervised by a responsible adult.
- Never swim alone.
- Drinking and swimming is just as dangerous and drinking and driving.
For more ways to be safe during Memorial Day visit the Cal Fire website at www.fire.ca.gov .
CLEARLAKE OAKS, Calif. – A Clearlake man died on Wednesday night after his motorcycle collided with two other vehicles on Highway 20.
Johnny McCuan, 55, died at the scene of the crash, which occurred at 8:49 p.m. on Highway 20 west of Catholic Church Road, according to the California Highway Patrol.
McCuan was riding his motorcycle – of unknown make and model – eastbound on Highway 20, two-tenths of a mile west of Catholic Church Road, when the CHP said he allowed his motorcycle to drift left into the westbound lane.
When McCuan went into the oncoming lane he hit the side mirror of a 2006 Ford pickup driven by Noel McCormack, 22, of Lakeport, the CHP said.
The CHP said McCuan then collided head-on with a 2005 Toyota Scion driven by Briana Smith-Bearden, 18, of Ukiah, with both the motorcycle and the Scion coming to rest on the highway’s north shoulder.
McCuan’s motorcycle became engulfed in flames, causing the north highway embankment to catch fire, according to the report.
McCuan died at the scene, the CHP said.
David Clayton, 46, of Nice, who was riding in the front passenger seat of Smith-Bearden’s Scion, sustained major injuries. The CHP said Clayton was flown to Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital via a REACH air ambulance.
Smith-Bearden and a year and half old girl were transported to Sutter Lakeside Hospital by a Northshore Fire ambulance for treatment of minor injuries, the CHP said. McCormack was uninjured.
The report said alcohol may have been a contributing factor to the collision.
The CHP said all of the parties involved were using safety equipment.
The crash remains under investigation by Officer Chris Tuggle.
Email Elizabeth Larson at
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Memorial Day is a time to show our appreciation for the men and women who fought, and those who still are fighting, for our country.
Many Californians will celebrate this occasion, which also kicks off the summer travel season, with social gatherings, outdoor events, and barbecues.
The California Highway Patrol encourages you to enjoy the holiday but always designate a non-drinking driver and buckle up.
The CHP will be out in full force this holiday weekend in an effort to reduce roadway deaths and prevent injuries.
The Memorial Day Maximum Enforcement Period (MEP) begins on Friday, May 24, at 6 p.m. and continues through Monday, May 27, at 11:59 p.m.
All available officers throughout the state will be deployed during the MEP to focus enforcement on occupant restraints, speed violations and DUI drivers.
During the 2012 Memorial Day weekend, 25 people were killed in collisions throughout California. Among those killed within CHP jurisdiction, nearly 60 percent were not wearing a seat belt at the time of their collision.
The CHP’s holiday enforcement effort coincides with the 2013 “Click It or Ticket” seat belt enforcement campaign, which continues nationwide through June 2, 2013.
“The CHP’s primary mission is to prevent the loss of life. We will accomplish this through education and enforcement,” said CHP Commissioner Joe Farrow. “We want you to enjoy and celebrate, but we ask you to do it responsibly.”
With more than 1,300 arrests for driving under the influence during Memorial Day weekend 2012, the CHP will be on the lookout for impaired drivers and cracking down on those who make the decision to drink and drive.
“Always designate a sober driver when you plan to go out over the weekend; the alternate choice could cost you your life,” added Commissioner Farrow.
CLEARLAKE OAKS, Calif. – A Wednesday evening collision outside of Clearlake Oaks has killed one person, injured several others and sparked a wildland fire.
The crash was reported shortly before 9 p.m. on Highway 20 at Catholic Church Road, one mile west of the Highway 20 and Highway 53 intersection, according to radio reports.
Firefighters arriving at the scene reported finding multiple vehicles involved, including a motorcycle, whose rider died at the scene.
There also was at least one person trapped in another vehicle and several walking wounded, according to radio reports. Descriptions of the vehicles were not immediately available.
A small wildland fire was burning to the north of the highway, with a slow rate of spread, reports from the scene indicated.
Both lanes of Highway 20 were closed as a result of the crash, firefighters reported.
Emergency personnel called for an air ambulance to respond to pick up a crash victim, based on scanner traffic.
A short time later, a second air ambulance was requested, with firefighters seeking to have a parent and infant transported. That second helicopter then was canceled, with the two patients transported by a ground ambulance to Sutter Lakeside Hospital.
A landing zone was being set up at the nearby Orchard Shores Homeowners Association, radio traffic indicated.
REACH 1 reported lifting off minutes before 10 p.m. en route to Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital with a patient.
Northshore Fire, Cal Fire, the Lake County Sheriff’s Office and the California Highway Patrol were reported to be on the scene, with air ambulances heading in to transport the patients.
Additional details will be posted as they become available.
Email Elizabeth Larson at
LUCERNE, Calif. – A Wednesday afternoon fire scorched several acres on a Lucerne hillside, not far from numerous residences.
The fire, first reported in the 4000 block of Foothill Drive, was dispatched at 1:19 p.m. Wednesday.
Northshore Fire, Lakeport Fire, US Forest Service and Cal Fire all responded to the fire, according to Northshore Fire Deputy Pat Brown.
Brown said the fire ran from Foothill Drive across Robinson Road, and then went another 100 yards above Robinson Road.
As the fire crested a hill above several homes, high winds hit the flames, causing them to briefly double in size.
Nearby homeowners began wetting down their roofs and yards as they watched the flames start to come down the hillside.
Cal Fire’s Copter 104 responded, making several water drops on the fire and keeping it from advancing further toward nearby homes.
A total of seven engines, two crews, a dozer, two fixed-wing aircraft and a copter came from Cal Fire, and US Forest Service sent one engine and one water tender, while Brown said Northshore sent four engines, a water tender and three chiefs, and Lakeport sent one engine.
Radio reports indicated that forward progression on the fire was stopped at about 1:48 p.m.
Cal Fire and Northshore had joint command on the incident, with Cal Fire taking over full control of the incident shortly before 2:30 p.m., Brown said.
He said there was not yet a determination made about the cause.
Cal Fire’s estimate of the fire’s size was between five and seven acres, according to the Cal Fire Incident Command Center.
Hand crews continued to work on the hillside after the fire was contained, using chainsaws and hand tools to mop up the fire area.
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UPPER LAKE, Calif. – A young Kelseyville man was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence after he allegedly hit and injured a bicyclist on Saturday.
Steven Wayne Boatright, 19, was arrested for DUI causing injuries following the crash, which injured Brian R. Pecknold, 64, of Upper Lake, according to the California Highway Patrol.
The CHP said the crash occurred at 5:30 p.m. Saturday on Blue Lakes Road at Irvine Avenue.
Boatright was driving a 1998 Ford Ranger south on Irvine Avenue at Blue Lakes Road as Pecknold was riding his bicycle east on Blue Lakes Road, the CHP said.
As Pecknold was making a left turn onto Irvine Avenue, Boatright entered the intersection and the front of his truck hit the left side of the bike, knocking Pecknold to the ground and causing him major injuries, the CHP said.
Both the CHP and Northshore Fire responded to the scene, and Pecknold was transported to Sutter Lakeside Hospital for treatment of his injuries, according to the report.
Boatright was booked for felony DUI causing injury, with bail set at $30,000. Jail records indicated he later posted bail and was released.
Email Elizabeth Larson at