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- Written by: Elizabeth Larson
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – The effort to contain the massive LNU Lightning Complex that stretches across six counties gained more ground on Friday, as firefighters kept the incident to a small amount of growth and more evacuees in Lake’s neighboring counties were allowed to go home.
The complex’s size increased by 1,095 acres during the day on Friday to a total of 372,344 acres by nightfall, with containment remaining unchanged at 35 percent, according to Cal Fire’s Friday evening report.
The fire, burning since Aug. 17, is now the third-largest incident in California history, with the SCU Lightning Complex – still burning on the Central Coast – edging into second place at 374,471 acres and 40-percent containment, Cal Fire said.
The 2018 Mendocino Complex, at more than 459,000 acres, remains the state’s largest wildland fire incident.
More than 500 additional firefighters have been added to the LNU Lightning Complex’s firefighting force since Thursday evening, with other resources assigned including 308 engines, 67 water tenders, 17 helicopters, 40 hand crews and 77 dozers, Cal Fire reported.
The Hennessey fire burning in Lake, Napa, Solano and Yolo counties reached 314,631 acres and 37-percent containment, Cal Fire said.
Mapping on Friday showed the northernmost tip of the Hennessey fire has now burned just inside the southwest corner of Colusa, the sixth county to be impacted by the complex.
In Sonoma County, the complex’s fires continue to be unchanged in size, with containment edging up. Cal Fire said the Walbridge Fire west of Healdsburg stands at 55,353 acres and 28-percent containment, while the Meyers Fire north of Jenner remains at 2,360 acres with containment up to 99 percent.
The improving situation allowed officials to lift some evacuation orders and warnings in Napa, Solano and Sonoma counties on Friday.
On Thursday evening, officials lifted mandatory evacuation orders for Hidden Valley Lake and a portion of Lower Lake, but other existing evacuation orders and warnings for south Lake County remained in place on Friday night.
Cal Fire said 30,500 structures are still threatened by the complex.
The number of structures destroyed remained at 1,080 and those damaged at 272 on Friday evening. However, Cal Fire said damage assessment teams assigned to the complex are still working through its vast footprint.
Cal Fire mapping so far shows no confirmed damaged or destroyed structures in Lake County, but that could change based on the continuing assessment work.
The National Weather Service is predicting several more days of patchy smoke and warm conditions because of the LNU Lighting Complex as well as the August Complex burning in the Mendocino National Forest.
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- Written by: Elizabeth Larson
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – With heavy smoke still hanging in Lake County’s air basin due to local and regional fires, the Lake County Air Quality Management District has issued another air quality alert.
The alert is in effect until 7 p.m. Friday.
Air Pollution Control Officer Doug Gearhart reported that all areas of Lake County should be prepared for continuing periods of conditions rated as “unhealthy” through Friday evening.
At “unhealthy” levels, everyone needs to take steps to protect themselves from exposure, according to Gearhart’s report.
On Thursday evening, smoke socked in much of the county, causing what looked like an early twilight.
At that point, Gearhart was speaking in a virtual community meeting held to update the community on the LNU Lightning Complex, which has burned nearly 370,000 acres.
He said the air conditions were worsening due to shifting winds. Winds in the coming days also are forecast to arrive and help clear out the air basin.
The Lake County weather forecast calls for winds of up to 9 miles per hour through the weekend, along with patchy smoke.
The smoke in Lake County is coming primarily from the LNU Lightning Complex as well as the 200,000-acre August Complex in the Mendocino National Forest. Both complexes were sparked by lightning storms nearly two weeks ago.
NASA satellite imagery shows smoke covering Northern California as well as its effects on other parts of the country.
The NASA aerosol satellite image shown below, from earlier this week below, illustrates how smoke has traveled across much of the United States, affecting areas from California all the way to Minnesota and Nebraska.
More information, including current air quality conditions, can be found at the Lake County Air Quality Management District website.
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- Written by: Lake County News reports
The positive mosquitoes were collected from Clearlake Oaks, Spring Valley and Upper Lake.
“Warm overnight temperatures are ideal for increasing West Nile virus and mosquito activity,” said Jamesina Scott, Ph.D., district manager and research director of the Lake County Vector Control District. “Mosquitoes transmit West Nile virus. If you are outside around dusk or dawn, use a mosquito repellent that contains Picaridin, IR3535, oil of lemon eucalyptus or DEET.”
West Nile virus is endemic in California, and the summer heat can increase virus activity and mosquito populations.
In Lake County this year, a total of 11 samples of mosquitoes tested positive for West Nile virus.
The positive mosquitoes were collected near Clearlake Oaks (3), Lower Lake (1), Middletown (1), Spring Valley (1) and Upper Lake (5).
West Nile is transmitted to people and animals through the bite of an infected mosquito. There is no cure for West Nile
One in five persons infected with the virus will exhibit symptoms. Symptoms can include fever, headache, body aches, nausea, or a skin rash. These symptoms can last for several days to months.
One in 150 people infected with the virus will require hospitalization. Severe symptoms include high fever, muscle weakness, neck stiffness, coma, paralysis, and possibly death.
Mosquitoes develop in water. Residents should take the following precautions to help reduce the chances of getting bit by mosquitoes:
– Dump and drain any containers filled with water at least once a week.
– Clean and scrub bird baths and pet water bowls weekly.
– Dump water from potted plant saucers.
– Do not transport or share plant stems rooted in water.
– Drill a hole or puncture containers to eliminate standing water.
– For water sources that can’t be drained, like a pond, livestock watering trough, water feature, or an out-of-service (green) swimming pool, residents should contact the district for free mosquito-eating fish to prevent mosquitoes from growing there.
To prevent mosquito bites, the district offers the following tips:
– Apply mosquito repellents to exposed skin before going outdoors; reapply as recommended.
– Wear repellent containing Picaridin, IR3535, DEET or oil of lemon eucalyptus.
– Close all unscreened doors and windows to prevent mosquitoes from entering your home or space; repair broken or damaged screens.
– Wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants, and opt for lighter-colored clothing.
Statewide, this year 29 California counties have detected WNV, mainly in mosquitoes. As of August 21, 2020, twenty-seven human cases of West Nile virus illness have been reported in California residents.
Residents with questions or who would like help with a mosquito problem, including reporting a neglected pool or spa, or have an in-ground yellowjacket nest on their property that they want treated, should contact the Lake County Vector Control District at 707-263-4770 or submit a request online at http://lcvcd.org/request-service/.
For more information about West Nile virus, visit http://westnile.ca.gov/. Information about mosquito repellents can be found on the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website.
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- Written by: Lake County News reports
The Mendocino National Forest reported that the August Complex, which began on Aug. 16, remained at 200,465 acres and 17-percent containment on Thursday.
Due to the number of fires, the number of resources assigned to the incident and the conditions experienced thus far, it may take weeks for fire crews to construct and reinforce firelines and reach 100 containment on the fires in the complex, officials said.
The forest issued an area closure, Forest Order 08-20-10, on Aug. 21 to ensure people do not enter this hazardous fire area.
Officials said the closure was implemented to keep the public safe and the firefighters safe while they are working to protect property and contain the fires.
There is no access into the closure area until forest officials determine it is safe to do so, and the forest reported that they do not know exactly when that will be.
Until then, officials said they will continue to post as much information as they can every day, host virtual meetings and answer questions to the best of their ability.
There are a lot of private inholdings located with the Mendocino National Forest in proximity to the fires in the complex.
“We understand that these properties are very important to the owners who have had them in their families for decades,” said Forest Supervisor Ann Carlson. “We recognize that people are nervous about the fires and are wondering whether their property will still be there after the fires, but right now, it is too dangerous to enter the closure area.”
Forest staff asked for the public’s patience and cooperation as they continue to work hard to contain the fires in the complex.
Any questions about access to private property within the closed area can be directed to the Mendocino National Forest Willows office at 530-934-3316.