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NORTHERN CALIFORNIA – The state’s dry conditions and hot weather created additional challenges for firefighters working on numerous fire incidents around the state.
On Monday Cal Fire issued its latest “Fire Situation Report” on the state’s major wildland fires. The video can be seen above.
The Mill Fire, burning in the Colusa County side of the Mendocino National Forest, remains the state’s largest wildland fire. By Monday night it had burned 29,552 acres and was 75-percent contained, with full containment anticipated on Wednesday, according to fire officials.
That incident is under a unified command composed of Cal Fire, the Mendocino National Forest and Northern California Incident Management Team 2.
The Robbers Fire – burning in Placer County since last Wednesday, July 11 – had scorched 2,600 acres and was 45-percent contained by Monday evening, according to Cal Fire. The fire’s cause is under investigation.
Approximately 2,206 personnel were assigned to the Robbers Fire on Monday, along with 161 engines, 62 crews, two air tankers, 15 helicopters, 37 bulldozers and 32 water tenders, Cal Fire reported.
So far, one residence and four outbuildings have been destroyed, with 170 residences still threatened. Cal Fire said evacuations are in effect for homes off the Yankee Jims Canyon and Shirttail Canyon areas, and parts of Iowa Hill.
On Monday morning, the Calf Fire began burning east of Santa Margarita in San Luis Obispo County. Cal Fire reported it had burned 750 acre by day’s end and was 10 percent contained at that point.
Officials said 205 personnel, 14 engines, seven fire crews, four air tankers, two helicopters, three dozers and two water tenders were on the incident Monday.
A mandatory evacuation order was issued for the homes located on Parkhill Road between Highway 58 and Seven Oaks Road.
Farther north, the Flat Fire is burning 16 miles west of Junction City on the Shasta-Trinity National Forest in the community of Del Loma, located in Trinity County, according to forest officials.
The incident began last Wednesday, July 11, and had burned 1,712 acres by Monday night, with firefighters reaching 80-percent containment, officials reported. It’s expected to be contained by Wednesday.
Assigned to the Flat Fire on Monday were 533 personnel, 16 hand crews, one dozer, 21 engines, nine water tenders and two helicopters, according to the incident team.
The incident team said firefighters are being challenged by extremely steep terrain, hot and dry weather conditions, and large fire damaged trees that have been falling without warning in areas where firefighters are working. They’re also working on protecting structures in the Del Loma area and improving fire lines around the fires perimeter.
So far, the fire has resulted in three injuries, but forest officials said none of the 50 structures threatened had been damaged. Estimated suppression cost for the fire to date is $3.2 million.
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NORTHERN CALIFORNIA – California’s largest wildland fire burned several hundred more acres on Monday as firefighters continued to build containment lines around it, with the progress on the fire expected to lead to full containment the middle of this week.
The Mill Fire has been burning in the Mendocino National Forest, 10 miles west of Stonyford in Colusa County, since Saturday, July 7.
The fire rose from 29,252 burned acres on Sunday night to 29,552 acres Monday morning, and held at that number throughout the day, according to a Monday evening report from the unified command team – composed of Cal Fire, the Mendocino National Forest and Northern California Incident Management Team 2 – managing the incident.
Containment on Monday evening was at 75 percent, putting the fire on track to be fully contained this Wednesday, two days earlier than fire officials previously had anticipated.
Suppression costs were put at $12.1 million in the Monday evening report.
About 500 personnel were released from the fire on Monday, with the committed personnel dropping from 1,495 in the morning to 965 by nightfall. Also still working the incident were 21 Type 1 crews, 15 Type 2 crews, 9 helicopters, 77 engines, 17 dozers and 13 water tenders.
The unified command report said a sudden downdraft of winds on Sunday evening caused the fire to jump the line near Little Stony Creek campground, resulting in two small spot fires that totaled approximately four acres. Crews worked quickly and the spots were contained by around 10 p.m. Sunday.
Burnout operations in the remaining fuels between the fire’s edge and Goat Mountain Road took place on Monday, with the firing successfully held above the narrow road, which officials closed to let firefighters work in the area. Firefighters are now working to put direct line on that edge of the fire.
Fire crews are continuing to secure lines and put out hot spots, and have begun repairs along the west, north and east flanks of the fire, where mop up already has occurred, officials reported.
While the burnout caused smoke in some areas, overall Lake County’s air – which was filled with more smoke due to weekend firing operations – appeared to have improved on Monday.
Fire officials said patrolling will continue overnight, with burnout operations expected to be finished on Tuesday.
Cooler weather – along with cloudy skies and variable winds – is expected in the next few days due to a low-pressure system expected to pass over Northern California, although officials said rainfall isn’t forecast in the fire area.
The unified command reported that on Monday voluntary evacuations and advisories for the Lakeview Loop, the west side of the Stonyford-Lodoga Road between Stonyford and Goat Mountain, and Century Ranch were lifted.
A public hearing on the fire suppression efforts will be held at 7 p.m. at the Stonyford Grange.
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KELSEYVILLE, Calif. – A Kelseyville man had to be flown to a regional trauma center on Sunday after his vehicle went off the road and hit a tree.
Jesus Alvarez Jr., 28, was involved in the solo-vehicle crash, which occurred shortly before 7:30 p.m. in the 9000 block of Kelsey Creek Drive, according to reports from the scene.
California Highway Patrol Sgt. Rick Okazaki said Alvarez was driving a 2000 BMW northbound on Kelsey Creek Drive at a high rate of speed when he went through a curve and then traveled off the road, hitting a tree.
Alcohol was a factor in the crash, Okazaki said.
Alvarez suffered a possible fractured hip, a dislocated or fractured left wrist and left arm, facial injuries, multiple lacerations and possible internal injuries, Okazaki said.
REACH air ambulance flew Alvarez out of county. Okazaki said he was being treated for his injuries at Queen of the Valley Medical Center in Napa.
Okazaki said CHP Officer Erica Coddington is continuing the investigation into the crash.
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LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – A Willits man was injured on Sunday when he hit a rock while riding his motorcycle in the Cow Mountain Recreation Area.
James Calcagno, 35, was hurt in the crash, which occurred at 12:30 p.m., according to the California Highway Patrol.
The CHP reported that Calcagno was riding his 2012 KPM 350 offroad motorcycle uphill on Buckhorn Road, south of Scotts Creek Road, at between 40 and 45 miles per hour.
The front of Calcagno’s motorcycle struck a rock, causing him to be thrown off the bike, the CHP reported.
He suffered a broken right ankle and was flown by REACH air ambulance to Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital, according to the CHP.
The CHP said alcohol and drugs are not a factor in the crash, which is still being investigated.
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Colorful calicos and playful kittens are awaiting adoption at the county’s animal shelter this week.
Kittens available this week range in age from 11 to16 weeks, while there also are adult cats that need homes.
Cats that are adopted from Lake County Animal Care and Control are either neutered or spayed and 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.
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”).
Orange male tabby
This orange male tabby is 5 years old.
He has a short coat and gold eyes, and has been neutered.
Find him in cat room kennel No. 20, ID No. 33143.
Domestic short hair calico
This female calico is 2 years and 3 months old.
She has a short coat and gold eyes, and has not been spayed.
She is in cat room kennel No. 23, ID No. 32321.
Brown male tabby
This brown and white male tabby is a domestic medium hair mix.
Shelter staff have not provided an estimated age for him.
He has been neutered.
He’s in cat room kennel No. 29, ID No. 32484.
Domestic long hair mix
This female kitten is 14 weeks old.
She has a long black coat and green eyes. She has not yet been spayed.
She’s in cat room kennel No. 53b, ID No. 33249.
‘Tiger’
“Tiger” is an 11-week-old male tabby.
He’s a domestic short hair mix that has not yet been altered.
He’s quite playful, enjoys people and likes to be held.
He’s in cat room kennel No. 56, ID No. 32823.
Gray tabby kitten
This female gray tabby kitten is 16 weeks old.
She has green eyes, a short coat and has been spayed.
Find her in cat room kennel No. 65a, ID No. 32839.
Gray tabby kitten
This male gray tabby kitten is 16 weeks old.
He has a short coat and green eyes, and has been neutered.
Find him in cat room kennel No. 65b, ID No. 32840.
Male domestic short hair mix
This male domestic short hair mix kitten is 16 weeks old.
He has gray and black coloring and green eyes, and has been neutered.
He's in cat room kennel No. 65c, ID No. 32841.
Brown tabby kitten
This male brown tabby kitten is 16 weeks old.
He has a short coat and green eyes, and has been neutered.
Find him in cat room kennel No. 65d, ID No. 32842.
Female calico
This uniquely marked female calico is 1 year old.
She is a domestic short hair mix, has gold eyes and has been spayed.
Find her in cat room kennel No. 99, ID No. 33376.
Orange tabby kitten
This male orange tabby kitten is 13 weeks old.
He has blue eyes, weighs just over 2 pounds and has a medium-length coat. He has not yet been neutered.
He’s in cat room kennel No. 105a, ID No. 33323.
Orange tabby kitten
This male orange tabby kitten is 13 weeks old.
He has blue eyes, weighs just over 2 pounds and has a medium-length coat with dilute coloring. He has not yet been neutered.
He’s in cat room kennel No. 105b, ID No. 33324.
Orange tabby kitten
This male orange tabby kitten is 13 weeks old.
He has blue eyes, weighs just over 2 pounds and has a medium-length coat. He has not yet been neutered.
He’s in cat room kennel No. 105c, ID No. 33325.
Orange tabby kitten
This male orange tabby kitten is 13 weeks old.
He has blue eyes, weighs just over 2 pounds and has a medium-length coat. He has not yet been neutered.
He’s in cat room kennel No. 105d, ID No. 33326.
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, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., Saturday. The shelter is open from 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and on Saturday from 1 p.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
NORTHERN CALIFORNIA – A wildland fire that has burned for more than a week in the Mendocino National Forest continued to grow on Sunday.
The Mill Fire, burning in Colusa County 10 miles west of Stonyford, grew by another 2,130 acres as firefighters worked to burn vegetation ahead of the fire’s path in an effort to contain it.
A Sunday evening report from the NorCal2 Type II Interagency Incident Management Team, which is overseeing the fire, put the fire’s size at 29,252 acres and 67 percent containment.
Suppression costs rose to $10,650,000 as of Sunday, the team reported.
By evening, there were about 200 fewer personnel on the fire, with 1,495 firefighters and staff were reported to be committed.
Earlier in the day, Lakeport Fire reported that members of its staff who had gone to work on the fire last week as part of a local strike team had returned, as Lake County News has reported.
Other resources on scene Sunday included 21 Type 1 crews, 15 Type 2 crews, nine helicopters, 77 engines, 17 dozers and 13 water tenders.
The burning operations also sent increased smoke into the air over Lake County, where ash and a murky smoke layer were seen Sunday. Officials acknowledged that the burning operations had increased the smoke put off by the fire.
The Sunday evening report noted that fire behavior increased after 9 a.m. when smoke that was shading the fire overnight lifted.
Officials said that burnout operations on the south, southeast side of the fire would continue into the evening until rising humidity would prohibit the burning.
Crews also are scheduled to continue mop up and patrol in an effort to further secure and hold the control lines along the fire’s west, north and east flanks.
Evacuations remain in effect for the areas of Fouts Springs, Bonnie View, and Board Camp Springs and campgrounds within the Upper Letts Lake area, and for portions of the community of Stonyford, the incident team reported.
Full containment is still anticipated to occur on Friday, July 20. No cause has yet been reported.
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