The National Weather Service is continuing to warn of lightning strikes in the area through this afternoon in a Red Flag Warning. Northeastern Mendocino is in an especially dangerous pattern that could bring gusty winds. Authorities are warning if you hear thunder, go inside. Unstable atmosphere and mid level moisture is still a threat to the area. Residents are urged to report any fires and to be aware of potential lightning strikes. Five small fires were reported near Covelo last night, according to KymKemp.
The Mendocino Cannabis Alliance is congratulating California State Fair Cannabis Award winners with a special reception August 20th at the Bohemian Chemist in Anderson Valley. The event will also feature a Craft Cannabis Marketplace with some of the winners from this year. Nine Mendocino County farms won a total of 18 State Fair Cannabis Awards and dominated the Outdoor category in 7 out of 10 Golds. Last year, 8 Mendocino growers won 17 awards. Those who would like to celebrate with the best in the state must be over 21 years old. The market will open at 11am and run through 6pm, with the reception from 5 to 6 pm.
A Mendocino Forest wide Prescribed Fire and Fuels Management Strategy is giving legal notice to the public of a draft decision on that will include prescribed fire and fuel reduction treatments. Projects must meet site specific conditions and will be vetted by a team including community members, local tribes and other agencies to help identify potential treatment areas. The forest has published an online map called “Returning Fire to the Landscape” with a visual summary of the forest wide strategy. Funding for the strategy has been provided by a PG&E recovery program. A Forest supervisor says this project has flexible strategies that can change over time. The aim is to reduce risk of catastrophic wildfires and more. The draft decision on the Mendocino National Forest includes time to allow the public to object in the legal notice on the project website.
The Lakeport City Council is meeting today at 6pm where they will meet new Lakeport Police Department officers. Lake County News reports the council proclaim August 31st as International Overdose Awareness Day. During the public session, the council may approve military equipment use by the Lakeport Police Department. The council will go over this years’ Harvest Festival and approve participation in the National Night Out event and more.
Caltrans District 1 and the county of Mendocino is announcing a Clean California Dump Day event for this Saturday, Aug. 19, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. or until capacity reached at the Mendocino County Fairgrounds in Boonville. The event will allow residents to drop off mattresses and off-rim car and light truck tires for free. Tires on rims cannot be accepted. Caltrans reminds motorists to properly secure and tarp all cargo loads prior to driving. Transporting unsecured loads is unsafe, illegal, and pollutes California’s roads and waterways. Loads that are not tied down, enclosed, or secured by tarps or other means will not be accepted. Officials say to completely cover loads with tarps. Remove loose materials and don’t overload.
The death toll from the wildfire on Maui is at 99 this morning, and bound to rise. It has become the deadliest US wildfire in over 100 years. The AP reports the historical town of Lahaina is being searched with cadaver dogs, with officials saying only about a quarter of the fire footprint has been searched. The catastrophe is bringing back traumatic reminders to Californians with three recent fires in the top 10. The Camp Fire in Paradise in 2018 led to the death of 85 people and forced tens of thousands to flee the area. In 2017 a firestorm killed 24 in Sonoma County, nine in Mendocino County and 11 others in Napa and Yuba Counties. The 2020 the Lightning Complex fires killed 31. The AP reports scientists predict high-risk conditions will persist as climate change continues to lead to high temperatures and stronger storms.
The Westshore Pool is going to be demolished. The Lakeport Unified School Board voted to have the property demolished in their meeting last week. The pool has been open for fifty years with swimmers including the Channel Cats, and the Kelseyville High and Clear Lake High Schools swim teams. Lake County News reports the pool was closed because of leaking pipes in 2018. In recent years, the pool has been vandalized and filled with trash. Residents are eager to see it removed. Over the years pool construction plans came and went but so far there are no new plans to build a new pool.
The California Hall of Fame is announcing their 16th Class inductees. Governor Newsom was at the California Museum yesterday and announced the new class of trailblazers in public service, sports, entertainment and more into the California Hall of Fame. Lake County News reports among this years class are actors Carrie Fisher and Shirley Temple. Pilot and physicist Maggie Gee is included. Singer Etta James and Dodgers broadcaster Vin Scully are included. LGBTQ rights activist and pioneer Jose Julio Sarria is in this year’s class along with Archie Williams the Olympic gold medalist. History making Californians have made the grade in the California Hall of Fame since it’s inception in 2006.
The 40th Round Valley Blackberry Festival will be held on Saturday, Aug. 19 and Sunday, Aug. 20, beginning at 10 a.m. The festival runs through 6 p.m. on Saturday and 5 p m. on Sunday with arts and craft booths, Mendocino wine tasting and live music both days with children’s activities and more. There will be a square dance Saturday evening at 7 p.m. next to the festival grounds. Sunday will feature a car and motorcycle show. Admission is free.
California Democrats are focused on helping the Governor in his goal to change the US Constitution with gun violence prevention. Gun ownership age limits, universal background checks and an assault weapons ban are all on the table. The Sac Bee reports lawmakers introduced a joint resolution supporting Newsom’s gun control amendment yesterday. They are calling for a constitutional convention to create an amendment to allow states and local governments to limit firearm possession. They’d like to see the legal age to purchase a gun be 21. Newsom calls the effort the “Right to Safety Amendment.” Two thirds of states would be needed to pass constitutional convention legislation to make the amendment successful. California’s governor told reporters last week that he believes it can happen. Lawmakers in the state have passed some gun control bills and some believe other states will follow.
State Senate Majority Leader Mike McGuire is calling a proposed hydropower project at Fort Ross State Historical Park “dead on arrival.” The Press Democrat reports advocates for the plant will hold a meeting this Thursday to engage the public and answer any questions at the Jenner Community Center on Highway 1. The environmental impact the project would make is angering residents and community leaders. US Representative Huffman says the project is a serious threat saying not enough planning went into the proposed project. Alabama based Hydro Green Energy chose three coastal locations in the state, with the Sonoma Coast location proposed for massive hydropower storage. Officials say the project would have to go through a substantial regulatory process if the Federal Emergency Regulatory Commission approves the plan. Sonoma County plans to file a motion to intervene, saying the project is illegal.
The EPA is investigating how California manages water after complaints from some Native American tribes and environmental groups. The agency is looking into the California State Water Resources Control Board, and how they set rules for the state’s water, according to ABC news. The board is legally required to review their rules every three years, but has not reviewed the San Francisco Bay/Sacramento San Joaquin Delta Estuary. Tribes say California is leaning on outdated rules that have led to increased toxic algae in one of the largest estuaries in the country. The cyanobacteria is threatening cultural and religious practices for several tribes. Native American tribes have not been included in the water governance with some saying Governor Newsom is privately negotiating with big water agencies. The board is considering adding tribal uses for tradition and subsistence fishing and says it will release a report on the proposal later this year.
Officials with the Mendocino National Forest are issuing fire restrictions starting today. In a Forest Order, the fire prohibitions are aimed at minimizing chances of human caused wildfires through the end of the 2023 fire season. A Fire Management Officer says the public can use a campfire or stove fire in designated fire-safe campgrounds as long as they have a California Campfire Permit. Smoking and lighting fireworks are prohibited in recreation sites. Other restrictions are in place for using internal combustion engines and other tools that spark ignitions. The restrictions also apply to neighboring public lands in Mendocino County. During high risk weather events it’s important to be aware of anything that can light a fire as high vegetation dries and becomes fuel throughout the state.
Cal Fire is celebrating another community that has joined the Firewise USA program. In a release issued today, the department is welcoming Sonoma County into the group as the 700th community in the state, as recognized by the National Fire Protection Association. Cal Fire Chief Daniel Berlant says reaching the 700th community so quickly is a major accomplishment for California. The burn scars from the 2017 Tubbs Fire and the 2020 Glass Fire were the focus of work with the Sonoma County Fire District, Cal Fire and other community partners. Fire prevention workshops and community groups promoting fire safety helped the area of the Upper Mark West receive grants to reduce roadside fuels and more. An evacuation drill and other projects helped meet the standards for a Firewise Community.
