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- Written by: Lake County News reports
Nationwide, 55.4 million people are expected to travel over the upcoming holiday weekend.
That’s 2.3% more than last year and the third-largest Thanksgiving travel volume since 2001, according to a report released this week by AAA.
California, in particular, is set to break a record, with nearly 7.5 million residents planning on holiday getaways. That’s an increase of 3% over 2022.
“Travel demand has truly bounced back to pre-pandemic levels,” said Brian Ng, senior vice president of membership and travel marketing for AAA Northern California. “Our holiday travel projections show the year long trend of Californians’ eagerness to get away and create memories with family and friends.”
AAA expects 88% of travelers — which is more than 49 million Americans — to drive to their destination (+1.7 percent from 2022). The skies are also anticipated to be busy, with 8.5% — or over 4.7 million people — flying to their holiday destinations (+6.6 percent from 2022).
To ensure a smooth and enjoyable trip, AAA Northern California offers four Thanksgiving travel tips:
Road-ready your ride. If you don’t want to be one of the estimated 360,000 Thanksgiving travelers calling AAA for roadside assistance nationwide, get a pre-trip inspection at a AAA Auto Repair Center to ensure your vehicle is ready to hit the road.
Plan ahead. Use the AAA Mobile App to locate the cheapest gas and EV chargers, request roadside assistance more quickly, and save money with discounts.
Budget accordingly. While California gas prices have seen a slight decrease (-36 cents) compared to last year, they remain relatively high. The AAA Mobile app is now available in CarPlay, helping you find the nearest gas and EV stations, compare fuel prices, and drive with confidence.
Outsmart the crowds. If flying, arrive at the airport early. If driving, consider aiming for off-peak periods (before 11 a.m. or after 6 p.m.), especially on the Wednesday before Thanksgiving.
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- Written by: LAKE COUNTY NEWS REPORTS
NORTHERN CALIFORNIA — A former assistant chief in Cal Fire’s Sonoma Lake Napa Unit has been appointed to one of Cal Fire’s key statewide leadership positions.
Anale Burlew, of San Anselmo, has been appointed Cal Fire’s chief deputy director by Gov. Gavin Newsom.
Burlew has been assistant deputy director, fire protection operations at Cal Fire since 2022 and has served in several positions there since 2011, including deputy chief, command and control, assistant chief, Sonoma Lake Napa Unit Central Operations; battalion chief, Nevada Yuba Placer Unit; and battalion chief, Northern Region Headquarters.
She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in fire service management from California State University, Sacramento.
This position does not require Senate confirmation and the compensation is $219,360.
Burlew is a Democrat.
- Details
- Written by: Lake County News reports
A total of 10 fire engines will be downstaffed on Monday, Nov. 13.
Cal Fire’s Sonoma-Lake-Napa Unit, or LNU, will continue to operate with 21 state engines — one at every fire station in the Unit — and staff 153 seasonal firefighters in addition to the 250-plus permanent suppression staff after that date.
“Living in California, we must understand that it’s not just a fire season, but rather a year-round vulnerability to wildfires,” said Cal Fire Unit Chief Mike Marcucci. “In our year-round fire state, we have different staffing levels that correspond to fire conditions. We are starting to experience shorter days and our fuel moisture levels are coming up, but we remain ready for the threat of wildfire on the appropriate level.”
Boggs Copter 612, the Sikorsky S70i Cal Fire Hawk based at the Boggs Mountain Helitack Base in Lake County, will be leaving the unit for the season on Nov. 13.
Operations at the Sonoma Air Attack Base will continue after that date with the use of one air tanker and one air attack plane.
The hand crew out of the Hood Mountain Fire Center in Sonoma County will also remain staffed at this time.
Cal Fire will continue to monitor weather conditions closely and maintains the ability to increase staffing should weather conditions change or if there is a need to support wildfires or other emergencies in other areas of the state.
There have been 340 wildfires that have burned merely 657 acres in Cal Fire LNU’s jurisdiction this year.
It is the third year in a row with a significant reduction in wildfire activity, Cal Fire reported.
During the six-year fire siege the unit saw between 2015 and 2020, the fire activity averages saw 526 fires burn 172,827 acres per year.
Cal Fire said this positive trend can be attributed to several key factors, including the ongoing efforts in fuels reduction and prescribed burns along with the staffing and resources dedicated to firefighting.
The region has also seen favorable weather conditions that aided in containment efforts.
During the cooler months, Cal Fire said it will continue its aggressive fuel modification work.
Residents and neighborhoods are also encouraged to focus on much of the same to help build resilience to wildfire for their homes and communities.
To learn more about building defensible space and other protective measures you can take, please visit www.readyforwildfire.org.
- Details
- Written by: Elizabeth Larson
The board will meet beginning at 9 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 14, in the board chambers on the first floor of the Lake County Courthouse, 255 N. Forbes St., Lakeport.
The meeting can be watched live on Channel 8, online at https://countyoflake.legistar.com/Calendar.aspx and on the county’s Facebook page. Accompanying board documents, the agenda and archived board meeting videos also are available at that link.
To participate in real-time, join the Zoom meeting by clicking this link.
The meeting ID is 988 4488 3652, pass code 667243. The meeting also can be accessed via one tap mobile at +16694449171,,98844883652#,,,,*667243#.
In an untimed item, the board will consider an agreement between Lake County Behavioral Health Services Department, acting as the lead administrative entity for the Lake County Continuum of Care, and Redwood Community Services Inc. for running the homeless shelter at the former juvenile hall in north Lakeport.
Under the terms of the contract, Redwood Community Services will receive $2,417,489.64 for fiscal years 2023 to 2026.
Redwood Community Services will run the shelter 24/7, as opposed to how it has been run previously, which required those sheltering there to leave during the day.
Behavioral Health Director Elise Jones’ report said the funds for the contract come from the Homeless Housing Incentive Program and the Homeless Housing and Assistance Program.
The full agenda follows.
CONSENT AGENDA
5.1: Approve letter of support for CalWild’s State Coastal Conservancy Grant funding request to support Upper Eel River watershed community visioning process.
5.2: Adopt resolution amending Resolution 2023-117 establishing position allocations for Fiscal Year 2023-2024, Budget Unit 2111, Public Defender.
5.3: Adopt resolution approving Agreement No. 23-0606-000-SG with California Department of Food and Agriculture for compliance with the High Risk Pest Exclusion Program for the period July 1, 2023, through June 30, 2024, in the amount of $10,320.51.
5.4: Approve continuation of proclamation declaring a Clear Lake hitch emergency.
5.5: Approve continuation of proclamation of the existence of a local emergency due to pervasive tree mortality.
5.6: Approve continuation of an emergency declaration for drought conditions.
5.7: Approve continuation of proclamation of the existence of a local emergency due to low elevation snow and extreme cold.
5.8: Approve amendment one to the agreement with Digital Path Inc. for use of the communications facility on Buckingham Peak of Mt. Konocti for a reduction of rent from $2,550 to $1,200 per month effective Aug. 1, 2023, and authorize the chair to sign.
5.9: Approve amendment two to the agreement between the county of Lake and SCS Engineers for engineering design services for the Eastlake Landfill Expansion Project in the amount of $14,120 for a total contract amount of $273,520, and authorize the chair to sign.
5.10: Adopt resolution expressing support for the Lower Lake HoliDAZE Street Fair, and temporarily authorizing a road closure, prohibiting parking and authorizing removal of vehicles and ordering the posting of signs.
5.11: Approve just compensation for a portion of the property listed in Attachment A be no less than the fair market value, as determined by appraisals performed by Bender Rosenthal Inc., and formally reviewed and certified by Sierra West Valuation, and authorize the Public Works director to provide approval to commence negotiations.
5.12: Adopt resolution for the acceptance of Congressional earmark funding to construct the Kelseyville Sidewalks Project.
5.13: Approve a professional services agreement between the county of Lake and Coastland Civil Engineering LLP., for engineering services for staff augmentation in an amount not to exceed $250,000 per year and authorize the chair to sign the agreement.
5.14: Approve first amendment to contract between county of Lake and North Coast Opportunities Inc. for stage one childcare services, in the amount of $642,856.00 per fiscal year from July 1, 2023 to June 30, 2025, and authorize the chair to sign.
TIMED ITEMS
6.2, 9:07 a.m.: Pet of the Week.
6.3, 9:08 a.m.: New and noteworthy at the Library.
6.4, 9:10 a.m.: Consideration of the Sept. 30, 2023 report of Lake County pooled investments.
6.5, 9:30 a.m.: Consideration of presentation on California Jobs First Catalyst Fund proposal.
UNTIMED ITEMS
7.2: Consideration of emergency proclamation declaring a shelter crisis in the county of Lake.
7.3: Consideration of agreement between county of Lake — Lake County Behavioral Health Services Department, as the lead administrative entity for the Lake County Continuum of Care and Redwood Community Services Inc. in the amount of $2,417,489.64 for fiscal years 2023-26.
CLOSED SESSION
8.1: Addendum, conference with legal counsel: Existing litigation pursuant to Gov. Code sec. 54956.9 (d)(1) — McCormick v. California Public Employees’ Retirement System, et al.
Email Elizabeth Larson at