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LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — The annual burn ban in Lake County starts on Saturday, May 1.
All burn permits expire on April 30.
The burn restriction, meant to address concerns over both fire hazard and air quality, applies to all areas in Lake County.
It includes all open waste burning, though exemptions are possible for agricultural operations, essential control burns for fire hazard reduction projects, public safety burns, and others.
The annual burn ban was first implemented in 1986 in response to weather conditions that often create extreme fire danger and poor air quality.
A managed approach incorporating fire and air agency concerns has been implemented and improved upon for many years.
The ban allows a quick fire agency response to all fires observed from May 1 on, as they are all assumed to be uncontrolled fires unless specifically authorized by an exemption permit.
The Lake County Air Quality Management District said this successful program is one of the primary reasons Lake County has superior and healthful air quality.
To obtain an exemption permit to burn after May 1, first contact Lake County Air Quality at 707-263-7000 to determine need, then contact your local fire agency so that your burn site can be inspected for fire safety.
After the fire agency notifies the air district that the proposed burn site is fire safe then an exemption permit may be obtained from the air district.
Anyone responsible for open burning during the ban without an exemption permit may be subject to citation, fines, and fire agency response costs to extinguish the fire. Burn restrictions will remain in effect until Cal Fire declares an end to fire season.
The district urges the community to help reduce the danger and losses caused by uncontrolled fires, and protect our clean air.
Public cooperation is greatly appreciated and results in a safer and more healthful environment for us all, officials said.
All burn permits expire on April 30.
The burn restriction, meant to address concerns over both fire hazard and air quality, applies to all areas in Lake County.
It includes all open waste burning, though exemptions are possible for agricultural operations, essential control burns for fire hazard reduction projects, public safety burns, and others.
The annual burn ban was first implemented in 1986 in response to weather conditions that often create extreme fire danger and poor air quality.
A managed approach incorporating fire and air agency concerns has been implemented and improved upon for many years.
The ban allows a quick fire agency response to all fires observed from May 1 on, as they are all assumed to be uncontrolled fires unless specifically authorized by an exemption permit.
The Lake County Air Quality Management District said this successful program is one of the primary reasons Lake County has superior and healthful air quality.
To obtain an exemption permit to burn after May 1, first contact Lake County Air Quality at 707-263-7000 to determine need, then contact your local fire agency so that your burn site can be inspected for fire safety.
After the fire agency notifies the air district that the proposed burn site is fire safe then an exemption permit may be obtained from the air district.
Anyone responsible for open burning during the ban without an exemption permit may be subject to citation, fines, and fire agency response costs to extinguish the fire. Burn restrictions will remain in effect until Cal Fire declares an end to fire season.
The district urges the community to help reduce the danger and losses caused by uncontrolled fires, and protect our clean air.
Public cooperation is greatly appreciated and results in a safer and more healthful environment for us all, officials said.
Caltrans dignitaries, employees, families and friends gathered solemnly on the west steps of the State Capitol on Thursday for the department’s 32nd annual Workers Memorial to remember and honor the 189 public servants who have died since 1921 while building and maintaining California’s transportation system.
The yearly memorial — in addition to honoring families and giving staff the opportunity to pay respects to their fallen colleagues — reminds us to “Be Work Zone Alert” and “Move Over” a lane when you see flashing amber lights ahead, or slow down if not safe to do so.
“Safety is always Caltrans’ top priority and the tragedies that brought us here today have resulted in intensified safety efforts within the department,” said Caltrans Acting Director Steven Keck. “Zero deaths on our state highway system is the only acceptable number, and — as we recognize those who tragically died while at work on our transportation system — we remind all motorists to please Slow for the Cone Zone, Be Work Zone Alert and Move Over when you see flashing amber lights.”
During the ceremony, Caltrans placed 189 orange traffic cones in a diamond "caution sign" configuration, each bearing the name of an employee lost since 1921.
A black cone in the center represented all people killed while working on the state highway system, including private contractors, tow truck drivers, California Highway Patrol officers and other emergency responders.
The commemoration also included the Caltrans Honor Guard, who led the symbolic tribute. Additionally, flags are flying at half-staff today at the State Capitol and at all Caltrans facilities in honor of these fallen workers.
Thursday’s ceremony marked the third year in a row that no new names were added to the memorial — the longest stretch in nearly 75 years — though speakers at the memorial stressed the need for everyone to remain vigilant.
With the help of Senate Bill 1, the Road Repair and Accountability Act of 2017, as well as the recently enacted federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, Caltrans and local agencies now have significant additional funds to repair and maintain California’s transportation system.
The additional funding also increases the number of Caltrans employees and contractors working on our roadways, increasing their exposure.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, highway construction and maintenance work is one of the most hazardous occupations in the United States.
In 2020, more than 6,500 work zone collisions occurred on California roadways, resulting in an estimated 1,964 injuries and 60 fatalities.
Nationally, drivers and passengers account for 85 percent of the people who are killed in work zones.
In February, Caltrans announced a new Director’s Policy on Road Safety, which commits the department to the Safe System approach and reaffirms the vision of reaching zero fatalities and serious injuries on state highways by 2050.
This policy takes steps to further a shift that began in 2020, as state transportation leaders recognized a bolder and more focused approach was necessary to combat the troubling rise in fatalities and serious injuries on California roads.
The state’s 2020-24 Strategic Highway Safety Plan — managed by Caltrans and involving more than 400 stakeholders — was updated to include the Safe System approach.
Caltrans has partnered with the California Transportation Foundation to develop two funds to benefit the families of Caltrans workers killed on the job.
The Fallen Workers Assistance and Memorial Fund helps with the initial needs a surviving family faces and the Caltrans Fallen Workers Memorial Scholarship is available to the children of these workers.
For more information or to make donations, visit the California Transportation Foundation.
Amid intensifying climate impacts, Gov. Gavin Newsom on Thursday announced that the state has released an Extreme Heat Action Plan outlining a strategic and comprehensive set of state actions to adapt and strengthen resilience to extreme heat.
The announcement comes on the heels of a heat wave earlier this month in Long Beach that reached a high of 101°F, nine degrees hotter than the record high in April 2014.
“Extreme heat driven by climate change endangers the lives and livelihoods of Californians in every corner of our state, and threatens our vital natural systems,” said Gov. Newsom. “The Extreme Heat Action Plan is a critical part of California’s commitment to strengthening community resilience and will guide partnerships and investments in equitable solutions to protect all Californians.”
Projections from the state’s best climate science forecast that all of California will be impacted in the years and decades to come by higher average temperatures and more frequent and life-threatening heat waves, impacting public health and safety, economic prosperity, and communities and natural systems — with profoundly disproportionate consequences for the most vulnerable Californians.
Extreme heat ranks amongst the deadliest of all climate change hazards, with structural inequities playing a significant role in the capacity of individuals, workers, and communities to protect and adapt to its effects.
In partnership with the Legislature, Gov. Newsom advanced an $800 million package in last year’s budget to protect California’s communities from heat.
The package includes $300 million to support implementation of the Extreme Heat Action Plan and numerous other investments that protect communities, the economy, and natural systems from extreme heat.
The governor is proposing to allocate this additional funding in the 2022-23 budget to support the implementation of the Extreme Heat Action Plan.
Gov. Newsom has put forward a historic $37.6 billion climate package — more than what most other countries are spending — to protect all Californians from the costs and impacts of climate change, while accelerating efforts to reduce the dependence on big polluters and fossil fuels.
With the launch of the Extreme Heat Action Plan, the Newsom Administration is announcing an all-of-government approach to address extreme heat across four action areas:
— Building public awareness and notification: The administration will prioritize the needs of high-risk California communities most impacted by extreme heat by increasing access to timely and appropriate information and resources that can help them stay safer. The most impacted groups include people experiencing housing insecurity, outdoor workers, older adults, young children, and people with existing health conditions. Additionally, the public awareness effort includes actions to equip communities, governments, and tribes with easily accessible data.
— Strengthening community services and response: The burden of extreme heat falls disproportionately on rural and disadvantaged communities and California Native American tribes. The community services and response effort includes a suite of actions that reduce heat exposure, build communities’ capacity to respond to heat events, support local climate adaptation planning and implementation, and advance heat illness prevention standards for indoor and outdoor workers.
— Increasing resilience of the built environment: As temperatures increase and heat waves become more frequent and severe, the cascading impacts of extreme heat on infrastructure and the environment exacerbate risks to people, the economy, and the natural environment. The built environment track includes actions to protect critical energy, transportation, and other infrastructure, support heat-resilient communities through relevant regulations and codes, and scale weatherization and cooling technologies.
— Utilizing nature-based solutions: Nature-based solutions deliver multiple benefits, including addressing extreme heat by cooling communities, providing strategic shade, and regulating temperature of buildings and surfaces during extreme heat events. This track includes actions to promote nature-based solutions to reduce extreme heat risks, support nature’s ability to withstand and adapt to increasing temperatures and reduce heat risk to water supply and systems.
The content and organization of the plan was guided by extensive public input, including listening sessions and regional workshops, as well as consultations with California Native American tribes.
Stakeholder input highlighted the need for the Extreme Heat Action Plan to drive coordination and collaboration across federal, regional, and local efforts, support localized action through funding and technical assistance, and maximize multi-benefit strategies that advance the state’s climate and public health goals.
Implementation progress of the Extreme Heat Action Plan will be tracked through the California Climate Adaptation Strategy’s annual reporting process to advance California’s all-of-government approach to climate adaptation.
The announcement comes on the heels of a heat wave earlier this month in Long Beach that reached a high of 101°F, nine degrees hotter than the record high in April 2014.
“Extreme heat driven by climate change endangers the lives and livelihoods of Californians in every corner of our state, and threatens our vital natural systems,” said Gov. Newsom. “The Extreme Heat Action Plan is a critical part of California’s commitment to strengthening community resilience and will guide partnerships and investments in equitable solutions to protect all Californians.”
Projections from the state’s best climate science forecast that all of California will be impacted in the years and decades to come by higher average temperatures and more frequent and life-threatening heat waves, impacting public health and safety, economic prosperity, and communities and natural systems — with profoundly disproportionate consequences for the most vulnerable Californians.
Extreme heat ranks amongst the deadliest of all climate change hazards, with structural inequities playing a significant role in the capacity of individuals, workers, and communities to protect and adapt to its effects.
In partnership with the Legislature, Gov. Newsom advanced an $800 million package in last year’s budget to protect California’s communities from heat.
The package includes $300 million to support implementation of the Extreme Heat Action Plan and numerous other investments that protect communities, the economy, and natural systems from extreme heat.
The governor is proposing to allocate this additional funding in the 2022-23 budget to support the implementation of the Extreme Heat Action Plan.
Gov. Newsom has put forward a historic $37.6 billion climate package — more than what most other countries are spending — to protect all Californians from the costs and impacts of climate change, while accelerating efforts to reduce the dependence on big polluters and fossil fuels.
With the launch of the Extreme Heat Action Plan, the Newsom Administration is announcing an all-of-government approach to address extreme heat across four action areas:
— Building public awareness and notification: The administration will prioritize the needs of high-risk California communities most impacted by extreme heat by increasing access to timely and appropriate information and resources that can help them stay safer. The most impacted groups include people experiencing housing insecurity, outdoor workers, older adults, young children, and people with existing health conditions. Additionally, the public awareness effort includes actions to equip communities, governments, and tribes with easily accessible data.
— Strengthening community services and response: The burden of extreme heat falls disproportionately on rural and disadvantaged communities and California Native American tribes. The community services and response effort includes a suite of actions that reduce heat exposure, build communities’ capacity to respond to heat events, support local climate adaptation planning and implementation, and advance heat illness prevention standards for indoor and outdoor workers.
— Increasing resilience of the built environment: As temperatures increase and heat waves become more frequent and severe, the cascading impacts of extreme heat on infrastructure and the environment exacerbate risks to people, the economy, and the natural environment. The built environment track includes actions to protect critical energy, transportation, and other infrastructure, support heat-resilient communities through relevant regulations and codes, and scale weatherization and cooling technologies.
— Utilizing nature-based solutions: Nature-based solutions deliver multiple benefits, including addressing extreme heat by cooling communities, providing strategic shade, and regulating temperature of buildings and surfaces during extreme heat events. This track includes actions to promote nature-based solutions to reduce extreme heat risks, support nature’s ability to withstand and adapt to increasing temperatures and reduce heat risk to water supply and systems.
The content and organization of the plan was guided by extensive public input, including listening sessions and regional workshops, as well as consultations with California Native American tribes.
Stakeholder input highlighted the need for the Extreme Heat Action Plan to drive coordination and collaboration across federal, regional, and local efforts, support localized action through funding and technical assistance, and maximize multi-benefit strategies that advance the state’s climate and public health goals.
Implementation progress of the Extreme Heat Action Plan will be tracked through the California Climate Adaptation Strategy’s annual reporting process to advance California’s all-of-government approach to climate adaptation.
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — This week the Board of Supervisors held a discussion on possibly returning the Human Resources Department to a free-standing department once again after several years of it being under the control of the County Administrative Office.
Supervisor Bruno Sabatier asked the board to consider the matter during its Tuesday meeting.
Since 1980, Human Resources has primarily been a stand-alone department, with brief periods of having been placed under the County Administrative Office for various reasons.
However, in 2018, the board handed the department over to County Administrative Officer Carol Huchingson at her request.
At that time, the county was in the midst of a lengthy classification and compensation study that led to the supervisors approving two rounds of county employee raises during the pandemic totaling $21 million. That resulted in Huchingson and other department heads seeing large increases in pay.
Huchingson is preparing to depart her job this week, and earlier this month the board appointed Huchingson’s assistant, Susan Parker, to act as interim county administrative officer.
One of the matters raised during the discussion was the concern about a potential conflict for Parker to oversee Human Resources while it undertakes the recruitment for the county administrative officer’s job, which Parker has confirmed she intends to pursue on a permanent basis.
Noting that the county will soon have a new beginning with the next county administrative officer, Sabatier asked the board to separate Human Resources from the County Administrative Office in order to allow the new county administrative officer to focus on priorities including economic development and housing. He also offered a resolution to allow the separation.
Human Resources Director Pam Samac said she serves at the pleasure of the board and takes its direction from the board. Samac maintained that working with Huchingson has been positive, noting that Human Resources has benefited from synergy, training and leadership Huchingson has offered.
“I have appreciated the way that it has been,” Samac said.
It was noted during the discussion that Human Resources would need a half-time accounting person to cover the fiscal services now being offered by the County Administrative Office.
Supervisor Tina Scott said she thought there was no issue and things are working well.
Huchingson said that it’s true that Human Resources has gone back and forth between being under the County Administrative Office and a stand-alone department. She said the current model is common among the 12 counties used for comparison in the classification and compensation study.
She said the board will soon be making a decision about a permanent county administrative officer and it would be wise to take input from that person about the structure.
Supervisor Jessica Pyska said the conversation should be tabled until they have a new county administrative officer in place.
It was Board Chair EJ Crandell who would address what he called “the elephant in the room.”
He acknowledged that the interim CAO — Parker — has the potential to impact the recruitment for the job on a permanent basis.
While he said he believes that’s just “optics” and that it wouldn’t be the case that Parker would influence the process, the public might see it otherwise. He said he would like to see Human Resources be a stand-alone department.
“Let’s clear up those optics,” replied Pyska.
Samac said she’s in a confidential unit and hasn’t discussed the recruitment with the interim county administrative officer.
She again said she responds directly to the board.
“I believe that I have the professionalism to draw that line,” Samac said, adding that Parker is professional and would never cross that line.
However, County Counsel Anita Grant would speak up to correct statements Samac made repeatedly, claiming she answers directly to the board.
That’s not the case, said Grant, noting that Samac has a boss — in this case, the county administrative officer.
Grant suggested there were ways to reduce the optics of some kind of a conflict of interest.
“Conflicts are built on many things, including fear of consequences,” Grant said.
She suggested the board might want to establish some very clear rules that the Human Resources director has to follow for this recruitment, which may address any issues the public has.
“I too have distanced myself from this recruitment,” said Huchingson, adding that there recently was a development in the recruitment that required Samac to reach out directly to the board chair.
Grant noted that, as far as recruitment optics, appearance doesn’t mean an actual conflict exists. However, she added, that appearance can be more pernicious than the actual conflict might be.
She said the board could ask Samac to come back with basic requirements for the recruitment to guard against conflict and favoritism.
While there wasn’t consensus to pursue any changes with Human Resources’ structure, the board did agree to have staff pursue Grant’s suggestion for rules to guarantee the integrity of the county administrative officer’s recruitment.
When those guidelines come back, Sabatier said he also wants the supervisors to discuss what they are looking for in the next county administrative officer — including strengths and the focus of their efforts. He said he’s had some confusion over why they haven’t had that conversation yet.
Crandell thanked the board for the discussion, saying that he wanted to make sure everything is on the table.
Email Elizabeth Larson atThis email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . Follow her on Twitter, @ERLarson, or Lake County News, @LakeCoNews.
Supervisor Bruno Sabatier asked the board to consider the matter during its Tuesday meeting.
Since 1980, Human Resources has primarily been a stand-alone department, with brief periods of having been placed under the County Administrative Office for various reasons.
However, in 2018, the board handed the department over to County Administrative Officer Carol Huchingson at her request.
At that time, the county was in the midst of a lengthy classification and compensation study that led to the supervisors approving two rounds of county employee raises during the pandemic totaling $21 million. That resulted in Huchingson and other department heads seeing large increases in pay.
Huchingson is preparing to depart her job this week, and earlier this month the board appointed Huchingson’s assistant, Susan Parker, to act as interim county administrative officer.
One of the matters raised during the discussion was the concern about a potential conflict for Parker to oversee Human Resources while it undertakes the recruitment for the county administrative officer’s job, which Parker has confirmed she intends to pursue on a permanent basis.
Noting that the county will soon have a new beginning with the next county administrative officer, Sabatier asked the board to separate Human Resources from the County Administrative Office in order to allow the new county administrative officer to focus on priorities including economic development and housing. He also offered a resolution to allow the separation.
Human Resources Director Pam Samac said she serves at the pleasure of the board and takes its direction from the board. Samac maintained that working with Huchingson has been positive, noting that Human Resources has benefited from synergy, training and leadership Huchingson has offered.
“I have appreciated the way that it has been,” Samac said.
It was noted during the discussion that Human Resources would need a half-time accounting person to cover the fiscal services now being offered by the County Administrative Office.
Supervisor Tina Scott said she thought there was no issue and things are working well.
Huchingson said that it’s true that Human Resources has gone back and forth between being under the County Administrative Office and a stand-alone department. She said the current model is common among the 12 counties used for comparison in the classification and compensation study.
She said the board will soon be making a decision about a permanent county administrative officer and it would be wise to take input from that person about the structure.
Supervisor Jessica Pyska said the conversation should be tabled until they have a new county administrative officer in place.
It was Board Chair EJ Crandell who would address what he called “the elephant in the room.”
He acknowledged that the interim CAO — Parker — has the potential to impact the recruitment for the job on a permanent basis.
While he said he believes that’s just “optics” and that it wouldn’t be the case that Parker would influence the process, the public might see it otherwise. He said he would like to see Human Resources be a stand-alone department.
“Let’s clear up those optics,” replied Pyska.
Samac said she’s in a confidential unit and hasn’t discussed the recruitment with the interim county administrative officer.
She again said she responds directly to the board.
“I believe that I have the professionalism to draw that line,” Samac said, adding that Parker is professional and would never cross that line.
However, County Counsel Anita Grant would speak up to correct statements Samac made repeatedly, claiming she answers directly to the board.
That’s not the case, said Grant, noting that Samac has a boss — in this case, the county administrative officer.
Grant suggested there were ways to reduce the optics of some kind of a conflict of interest.
“Conflicts are built on many things, including fear of consequences,” Grant said.
She suggested the board might want to establish some very clear rules that the Human Resources director has to follow for this recruitment, which may address any issues the public has.
“I too have distanced myself from this recruitment,” said Huchingson, adding that there recently was a development in the recruitment that required Samac to reach out directly to the board chair.
Grant noted that, as far as recruitment optics, appearance doesn’t mean an actual conflict exists. However, she added, that appearance can be more pernicious than the actual conflict might be.
She said the board could ask Samac to come back with basic requirements for the recruitment to guard against conflict and favoritism.
While there wasn’t consensus to pursue any changes with Human Resources’ structure, the board did agree to have staff pursue Grant’s suggestion for rules to guarantee the integrity of the county administrative officer’s recruitment.
When those guidelines come back, Sabatier said he also wants the supervisors to discuss what they are looking for in the next county administrative officer — including strengths and the focus of their efforts. He said he’s had some confusion over why they haven’t had that conversation yet.
Crandell thanked the board for the discussion, saying that he wanted to make sure everything is on the table.
Email Elizabeth Larson at
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — The Lake Local Agency Formation Commission, or LAFCo, has scheduled a protest hearing next week for the city of Lakeport’s proposed South Main Street annexation.
The meeting will take place from 11 to 11:15 a.m. Friday, May 6, in the council chambers at Lakeport City Hall, 225 Park St.
The hearing’s purpose is to receive written protests about the annexation. They will not take testimony about the substance of the city’s application.
The annexation covers nearly 137 acres, made up of 50 parcels, in the area south of the existing Lakeport city limits, adjacent to South Main Street and Soda Bay Road and east of Highway 29.
The city of Lakeport formally began the annexation process in 2019.
LAFCo approved the annexation proposal at a special March 30 meeting subject to a protest proceeding after receiving a small number of written protests from property owners.
LAFCo reported that property owners and voters residing within the annexation area may now file written protests against this proposal.
To be counted, protests must be in writing and submitted before the close of the hearing, and they must be made by owners of land within the area and/or by registered voters residing within the subject detachment territory.
Download a protest form here.
Protests may be mailed to Lake LAFCo, P.O. Box 2694, Granite Bay, CA 95746 or delivered to LAFCo Executive Officer John Benoit or his designee at the protest hearing.
Each protest must clearly state whether it is made by a landowner or a registered voter or submitted for both and must include the name and address of the person submitting it with an original signature.
Landowner protests must also include a street address or assessor’s parcel number identifying the location of the property in question. A registered voter’s protest must show the voter’s name and residence address as it appears on the affidavit of registration.
LAFCo said the value of protests received and not withdrawn before the hearing concludes will be determined within 30 days following the hearing in accordance with Government Code Section 57075.
This annexation may be effective upon recordation of the certificate of completion, LAFCo reported.
For more information, call the LAFCo office at 707-592-7528.
Email Elizabeth Larson atThis email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . Follow her on Twitter, @ERLarson, or Lake County News, @LakeCoNews.
The meeting will take place from 11 to 11:15 a.m. Friday, May 6, in the council chambers at Lakeport City Hall, 225 Park St.
The hearing’s purpose is to receive written protests about the annexation. They will not take testimony about the substance of the city’s application.
The annexation covers nearly 137 acres, made up of 50 parcels, in the area south of the existing Lakeport city limits, adjacent to South Main Street and Soda Bay Road and east of Highway 29.
The city of Lakeport formally began the annexation process in 2019.
LAFCo approved the annexation proposal at a special March 30 meeting subject to a protest proceeding after receiving a small number of written protests from property owners.
LAFCo reported that property owners and voters residing within the annexation area may now file written protests against this proposal.
To be counted, protests must be in writing and submitted before the close of the hearing, and they must be made by owners of land within the area and/or by registered voters residing within the subject detachment territory.
Download a protest form here.
Protests may be mailed to Lake LAFCo, P.O. Box 2694, Granite Bay, CA 95746 or delivered to LAFCo Executive Officer John Benoit or his designee at the protest hearing.
Each protest must clearly state whether it is made by a landowner or a registered voter or submitted for both and must include the name and address of the person submitting it with an original signature.
Landowner protests must also include a street address or assessor’s parcel number identifying the location of the property in question. A registered voter’s protest must show the voter’s name and residence address as it appears on the affidavit of registration.
LAFCo said the value of protests received and not withdrawn before the hearing concludes will be determined within 30 days following the hearing in accordance with Government Code Section 57075.
This annexation may be effective upon recordation of the certificate of completion, LAFCo reported.
For more information, call the LAFCo office at 707-592-7528.
Email Elizabeth Larson at
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — The Lakeport Police Department said it is continuing its investigation into the discovery of what it called a homemade explosive device located in the Grocery Outlet parking lot on Tuesday.
The agency reported that at 6:15 p.m. Tuesday, Lakeport Police officers and Lakeport Fire Protection District firefighters were dispatched to Grocery Outlet in response to a report of an improvised explosive device that had been located in the parking lot.
Officers determined that a customer located the device under their vehicle in the parking lot.
Circumstances of when and how the device was placed are currently under investigation, officials said.
A Lakeport Police sergeant trained in explosive recognition determined that the device was constructed with a cardboard tube and contained powder, shrapnel and a fuse.
Police said the sergeant found that the device would not explode on its own and could be safely packaged for transport to a remote area where we could render it safe.
Officers transported the device to the City of Lakeport Municipal Sewer District Property west of the city and took measures to render it safe and further examine for evidence purposes.
The investigation is currently ongoing and anyone with information is asked to contact us at 707-263-5491, by email at