Any scheduled maintenance on generators and transmission-lines need to be delayed this week. That’s because the temperatures will be so high, that it could trigger power outages as many across the state will be using their air conditioners around the clock. It’s supposed to be in the 100’s and above in some places. The state’s electric grid operator said last week, to delay certain big jobs that will tax the electric grid this week.
The fire burning along the Oregon border has grown again. The Six Rivers Lightning Complex picked up several hundred acres yesterday. It’s now the second largest fire in the state at just over 20,000 acres and 19% contained. The McKinney Fire in Siskiyou County, is nearly 100% contained, but is still the largest. The Six Rivers fire is burning across Trinity and Humboldt Counties after sparking August 5th in a lightning storm. There were 12 fires to start that made up the Complex, then four, then yesterday fire managers said several fires east of Hwy 299 have grown together. It’s being called the Campbell Fire. And another cluster of fires to the west of Hwy 299 are all one too, those are called the Ammon Fire.
As expected almost 2,000 Kaiser Permanente mental health workers have taken to the picket line. Psychologists, therapists, social workers, and other mental health workers in Northern California are on strike, complaining about staffing shortages causing patients to wait months to get an appointment, or follow up. The worker’s union, the National Union of Healthcare Workers is working with Kaiser for a new contract, adding pay raises, but the union says, they’ve not met other requests. Workers say patients cannot get into to seek help, there are some waiting up to eight weeks for an appointment. Kaiser says they’ve hired hundreds of new mental health workers, 200 since January 2021, and say the staffing issue for mental health care professionals is happening nationwide.
Both the Lake and Mendocino Counties Air Quality Management Districts are reporting air is being impacted by fires up north. In Lake County, the Six Rivers Lightning Complex fire and others are bringing smoke to the area, with monitors reading moderate air quality. Lower elevations will see the most smoke impact. In Mendocino they warn the triple digit heat along with low humidity and shifting winds could bring unhealthy air and smoke to valley areas. Inland areas could see moderate smoke accumulation, but they say things should hopefully clear out by the weekend. Those particularly sensitive to smoke should stay indoors if possible.
The Mendocino Cannabis Alliance is starting a Pledge Drive. The organization touts itself as the premier cannabis trade association in the county. Their Pledge of Alliance Drive starts with their inaugural Mendocino Cannabis Advocacy Awards to celebrate leaders in the Mendocino community who they feel have gone out of their way to advocate for local legacy cannabis cultivators and businesses. The group says in 2020 alone operators in Mendocino County brought in over $110M to the economy. They also warn the industry is in trouble but they’re committed to continue introducing sustainable local cannabis policies, so they need support.
An accident has been reported with a PG&E vehicle and a big rig hauling cement. Yesterday early morning the CHP reported to the accident on Highway 101 between Ukiah and Hopland. The service truck hit the big rig which had a large load of cement, and a third vehicle apparently hit a bridge nearby. The accident blocked the highway and caused a traffic snarl-up around 630am. They were detouring drivers around the area and reported an extended closure of the highway. And two people ended up in the hospital. No word on their conditions. The highway opened after about 6-7 hours.
Extreme drought conditions are becoming a topic on everyone’s mind these days. And in Lakeport, the City Council is getting an update on the current conditions at their next meeting. We are in a record drought, and since this could be the regular, city staff are working on a more comprehensive drought response plan. The Record Bee reports the plan will include thresholds and responses so the public can still tap into the water supply. The work will be over the next six months and include public workshops and meetings with groups including, the Lake County Department of Water Resources, Lake County Special Districts, Scotts Valley Advisory Committee and the Big Valley and Scotts Valley tribes.
California kids are not only getting free meals in school, it’s on the healthier side nowadays too. Egg white breakfast wraps, vegetarian ramen, gumbo, glazed carrots and organic cheeseburgers are gracing school menus. Ed Source reports now that the state is giving more money to schools to expand menus, they’re able to offer more fresh, healthy ingredients. Meals have been free since the COVID19 pandemic started. This fall will be the first school year the state joins others with free breakfast and lunch. The USDA has been reimbursing school districts nationwide for free meals for all students. Before that low-income students were the only ones getting free meals. But after the next school year, they will return to low-income students only again.
