Lightning strikes causing over a dozen fires surrounding the Covelo area are still being put out, mopped up and more with Cal Fire working non stop to extinguish all the flames. The group of 14 fires being called the MEU August Lightning Fires. Cal Fire says 10 engines, 5 air resources and nearly a 100 crew members have worked to contain the fires ranging from a 10 by 10 foot spot to around 20 acres in size. The largest fire burning is near the Bald Mountain area where Cal Fire says forward progress was stopped as of last night. The department says they’ll stay in the area until all fires have been located and extinguished.
Lake County Public Health and Vector Control District are warning of West Nile Virus activity in the area. Officials say the infection can range from zero symptoms to deadly forms of the disease. The first human case reported this year in Lake County got sick in the third week of July. A second probable case is under investigation, after someone became ill recently. Both people seem to be experiencing the neuroinvasive form producing symptoms that can range from meningitis to more permanent effects on the nervous system. The county has now four confirmed human cases this year, and one fatality. Health officials say people over 50, and those with chronic conditions are at a higher risk for severe forms of the disease. Everyone is urged to wear Deet repellent, wear long sleeves and pants during dawn and dusk and to drain any standing water nearby. For symptoms of West Nile Fever and more information contact the Lake County Vector Control District or check with the California Department of Public Health.
The National Weather Service Excessive Heat Watch continues through today with temps from 105 to 110 in Northern Mendocino and in Lake Counties. The Ukiah Daily Journal reports the hottest conditions will continue today, but cooler conditions are on the way. There have only been trace amounts of rain reported in the area near Redwood Valley. Authorities remind people to stay hydrated and out of the direct sun. People are reminded that if they hear thunder, to go inside, as lightning strikes have caused dozens of fires in Northern California. The California System Operator is warning that high temperatures could lead to a Flex Alert. The Press Democrat reports the alert aims to save energy during the hottest part of the day from 4 to 9pm by asking residents to reduce electricity usage.
Mendocino County is hosting a series of public meetings in census tracts designated by CalOES. Grant funds were awarded last year in a “Jumpstart” fund. There will be a meeting in Hopland tomorrow, Thursday the 17th from 5:30 to 7pm in Hopland at the Veteran’s Memorial Building. The county is planning listening sessions in Boonville, Redwood Valley, Covelo, Ukiah, Willits and more, according to a release in MendoFever.
Officials with the Mendocino National Forest are issuing fire restrictions. 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.
The Lake County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the discovery of two dead men in a culvert near Middletown. The Sheriff’s Office identified the two as Devon Stark and Leandro Natalgarcia. The two were found in a tent under Highway 175 in a concrete culvert. Authorities say so far there are no signs of foul play, according to Lake County News.
The City of Fort Bragg issued a notice on social media that they will be working on changing out all water meters within the city. Coleman Environmental Engineering will be out with employees in yellow hard hats and vests notifying residents that their meter is scheduled to be changed out. Some may find door hangers that are giving residents 48 hours notice that their water will be shut off to change out the meter. The shut offs will last about 2 hours depending on the state of the meter. There are over 2,000 water meters in the city, so the crew will be working in batches.
In a series of storms that produced lightning, over 50 wildfires were reported in Northern California from Mendocino to Siskiyou Counties. The Head Fire in Siskiyou County has grown to over 3,000 acres as of last night and is aggressive. According to reporting in KymKemp, the rapid growth of the blaze caused evacuations for miles in the county. Cal Fire is holding all fire personnel on duty to help fight the wildfire. Over a dozen lightning sparked fires are burning in Humboldt with a dozen in Mendocino County. Most in Mendocino are contained, with a 20 acre fire progress stopped. Be sure to know your zone in case of evacuations at zone haven.com
Mendocino County is actively working to battle opioid epidemic that lists the county with the highest rate of overdose deaths in the state. The County and the City of Ukiah have received settlement funds of around 1.4 million so far. The Ukiah City Council has committed a part of those funds to update systems at the New Life Clinic, a methadone treatment center on Standley Street. In Fort Bragg, police are working with about $345,000 in grant funds for a Youth Opioid Program. The strategy will expand the police department’s Care Response Unit to help young people with treatment and rehab, according to MendoFever.
Willits Police are looking for an endangered man. Raymond Tyler is 5 foot 7 and weighs around 150 pounds. He has red-blond hair with blue eyes and freckles. His sister and area authorities have been looking for Raymond since he was released from Shasta Regional Medical Center on August 3rd. According to his family and police he was taken back to Mendocino County but they haven’t been able to check in on him or confirm he’s back in Willits. MendoFever reports here have been some sightings of the man, who has mental health issues according to his sister, Colene Brown. She has posted on several area social media sites and is working with officials to try to locate her brother. Anyone with any information on Raymond is asked to call the Willits Police Department.
The Chairs of California’s statehouse committees are calling on the Governor to bargain with the SEIU 1000. The Sac Bee reports Assembly Labor and Employment Committee and Assembly and State Committees on public employment and retirement sent a letter to the governor urging him to bargain fairly and reach a contract agreement this week. Nearly 100,000 state employees are covered by the union and have been bargaining with the state since April. The previous contract ended in June. The California Department of Human Resources spokesperson says CalHR is working in good faith with the SEIU to reach an agreement. The union has asked for a 30 percent raise over a three year period. The state countered offering an 8 percent raise. The union commissioned a study that shows members are struggling financially, particularly women and employees of color. If the two parties don’t come to an agreement before September, union members could be left without raises until lawmakers reconvene in January to vote on a new contract.
The Biden Administration’s Inflation Reduction Act turns one year old today – directing $370 billion dollars to clean energy efforts through tax incentives, grants, and loan guarantees. That public money has in turn spurred private investment to decarbonize the economy. According to the California News Service, Republican opponents of the Inflation Reduction Act have cited concerns about the deficit and the impact on jobs in the oil and gas sector. So far, private companies have announced plans for 96 gigawatts of clean power, enough for almost 20 million homes. U-S battery manufacturers have ramped up projects that will support the production of 10 million electric vehicles per year.
Lightning fires are burning in the Mendocino National Forest. Two fires, called Slide 1 and Slide 2 were merged north of Mt. Linn. The Slide 1 fire is burning in timber and brush in about 60 acres. Fire managers say the blaze has potential to burn at a high rate of spread in the area that includes the 2020 August Complex footprint. Seven smokejumpers were part of the initial attack with multiple fire resources including an air tanker. Firefighters in the Covelo Ranger District worked to contain the one acre Hole Fire near Hell Hole Creek. In a release issued in MendoFever, the increased potential for lightning has led for authorities to call a red flag day through 10pm tonight.
The Clearlake City Council will welcome new police staff and more at it’s meeting tomorrow at 6pm. The council is considering appointing a vacant position on the Konocti Water District Board. They will receive a presentation on the Recreation and Events Division quarterly report. In closed session, the council will go over anticipated litigation and an existing lawsuit, according to Lake County News.
Ukiah Unified Schools are back in session next week. Superintendent Kubin is urging area residents to slow down and watch for kids getting on and off busses, on bikes and families dropping students off. Authorities warn that passing a school bus is illegal and are asking drivers to stay farther behind buses than they do other vehicles.
The Mendocino Cannabis Department is offering a workshop on recent revisions to the county’s cultivation ordinance. The workshop will be next Tuesday, the 22nd at the UC Cooperative Extension Conference Room on Bush Street in Ukiah from 1 to 5pm. Their latest Canna Note includes information on how to join in the workshop virtually as well.
