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- Written by: Elizabeth Larson
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Officials are allowing a fire that began Tuesday in a remote park of Anderson Marsh State Historic Park to continue to burn off dried vegetation, with the expectation that incoming rains could finish the work of putting it out.
The fire was first reported on Tuesday afternoon on Slater Island by State Parks staff who were at the park doing cleanup on burn piles near the ranch house, as Lake County News has reported.
Aaron Wright, public safety chief for State Parks, said the fire was about 60 acres on Tuesday evening, but by Wednesday morning it had reached 340 acres and remained at that acreage on Wednesday night. Wright did not have a containment percentage.
He said it put off a lot of smoke overnight but not as much on Wednesday.
While the fire grew significantly overnight and into Wednesday morning, Wright said State Parks, Cal Fire and the Lake County Fire Protection District, which have closely partnered to work the incident, are not concerned that it will do serious damage to the park.
In fact, they’re now using it as a control burn, allowing it to burn off dried, low-lying vegetation, he said.
Wright said it’s the perfect time of year to do such burning, based on humidity, moisture and incoming rains. He said it will provide good protection from wildfire this fall.
There is good containment all around it, with water on some sides of the fire, Wright said.
“It is looking really good,” he said.
“We did very little suppression effort,” Wright said, explaining that they are allowing it to burn through tules.
Much of the fire died down on its own due to the moisture and high humidities, he said.
Wright also noted the potential for rain on Wednesday night and into Thursday that could put out the remaining fire.
He said staff will remain on scene overnight.
State Parks is continuing to work with Lake County Fire to determine the cause, Wright said.
Email Elizabeth Larson at
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- Written by: Lake County News reports
Troops continue to serve around the globe, many in very remote locations, some in harm’s way, and far from family and home.
On Thursday, March 18, 2021, Operation Tango Mike, which translates from military jargon to Operation Thanks Much, will commemorate 18 years of troop support.
The all-volunteer nonprofit has shipped more than 22,000 care packages to deployed military personnel.
When permitted, volunteers gather on the third Thursday of every month, at 6 p.m. at Umpqua Bank, 805 11th St., Lakeport, to prepare care packages for the troops.
The local effort began on behalf of local soldiers deployed to Afghanistan in March 2003. At times, more than 150 monthly care packages have been shipped. Today, 70 to 100, and sometimes more, care packages are sent to troops in Iraq, Afghanistan, and many other countries. Last month included ten countries.
Military families are supported as well. Many volunteers that support Operation Tango Mike have volunteered assistance with home repairs, transportation and more.
With no base or military installation in the local area, folks who support the troops and their families gather via Operation Tango Mike. Military families are welcomed and are provided with emotional support, knowing that they and their loved ones are appreciated.
“Forget politics, support our troops,” is the mantra that has helped ensure that all are welcomed and appreciated at Operation Tango Mike functions. The effort does not involve politics and exists to support our troops and their families.
Troops often express appreciation in thank you messages that are sent to Operation Tango Mike.
Colonel Krische wrote recently, “Please be advised that boxes arrived here last week. Their contents will be made available to the personnel on the base. Thank you for supporting the troops.” He was writing from Afghanistan.
In a previous message, Major Robinson wrote, “I received your packages and gave them all out to the Soldiers and they were very grateful. It is great to still get support long after the bumper stickers have faded.”
Though the public packing parties are not currently allowed, monthly care packages are being prepared and shipped.
This has been very challenging, as fundraising is severely limited during the pandemic, and shipping fees have risen to $20.40 per box. This does not include the cost of goods, such as food and hygiene items.
On Saturday, March 20, Linda’s Gift Gallery and Hallmark in Lakeport will host an event benefiting Operation Tango Mike, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. All COVID-19 precautions will be followed.
There will be prizes, raffles and more. Anyone bringing a donation item for care packages will receive a shopping discount, and a portion of the day’s sales will be donated to Operation Tango Mike.
Suggested donation items include nuts, jerky, tuna pouches, individual drink mixes, stick deodorant, foot/body powder and lip balm.
Hallmark owner Linda Banfill is a staunch supporter of Operation Tango Mike, and her sons were care package recipients during their deployments as Marines.
The regular monthly packing parties will resume as soon as it is safe to do so and permitted by the County.
For further information or to add someone to the care package recipient list, please call 707-349-2838, email
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- Written by: Lake County News reports
The town hall will take place beginning at 6:30 p.m.
RSVP today by clicking here. After you RSVP, they will email the call-in number and video livestream link.
McGuire will host Dr. Timothy Brewer, UCLA Fielding School of Public Health and Geffen School of Medicine, and Lori Nezhura, deputy director of planning, preparedness and prevention from the State Office of Emergency Services. Nezhura also serves as the co-chair of California's COVID-19 Vaccine Task Force.
They will discuss slowing the spread, with a special focus on vaccine distribution.
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- Written by: Lake County News reports
This bill reauthorizes crucial legislation to help prevent violence and abuse against women and support survivors as they recover and pursue justice.
It also makes some important improvements to the original Violence Against Women Act, or VAWA, including increased funding to prevent such violence, improvements to services for survivors, provisions to better assist Native American women who are disproportionately targeted, and the closing of the so-called “boyfriend loophole” to prevent violent partners from obtaining firearms.
“Women across our nation deserve to live their lives free from violence and abuse, and survivors of this kind of terrible hate deserve robust protections and services as they recover and seek justice. That’s why today I voted to pass the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act to both reauthorize and expand this critical legislation,” said Thompson. “For nearly three decades, VAWA has transformed the lives of women and survivors of violence and domestic abuse, offering access to safety and justice. We cannot let this legislation go any longer without being reauthorized and I urge the Senate to take up this bill immediately.”
First passed in 1994, the Violence Against Women Act expands protections against abuse for women and gives survivors of such abuse a better social and judicial safety net. The bill expired in 2018 under a Republican-led Congress.
Thompson voted to reauthorize VAWA in 2019 and the bill then died in the Republican-controlled Senate.
This legislation is similar to the bipartisan bill that passed the House in 2019 and can be read here.
Thompson represents California’s Fifth Congressional District, which includes all or part of Contra Costa, Lake, Napa, Solano and Sonoma counties.