The Mendocino National Forest has an update to the Slide 1 fire. As of 10am this morning, the fire north of Mt. Linn grew to 340 acres. Though firefighters are making progress, the Forest Service says they are still at zero containment. The Slide 1 Fire is in steep, rugged country. Crews are focused on the east and south edges of the fire to contain it. In addition to the remote nature of the fire, temperatures are creating hazards for the crew. Temperatures will continue to be over 100 with a chance of thunderstorms that have the potential to increase fire behavior. Tuesday, they reported over 156 lightning strikes sparking several fires. One lightning started fire is in the Sanhedrin Wilderness near Impasssable Rock called the Rock Fire. As of this morning it has grown to be 2 acres and is burning in heavy fuels. Smokejumpers and hotshots are working on the blaze.
The National Interagency Fire Center’s Coordination Center for NorCal has extended the high fire risk through today. Isolated thunderstorms are still possible with little rain, meaning lightning is still a threat. MendoVoice reports the excessive heat warning is in place for Mendocino County through tonight. Increasingly dry and hot weather continues to be a threat though technically the winds don’t meet the National Weather Service’s parameters for a Red Flag warning. Still, conditions are dangerous and residents in Mendocino County are urged to stay hydrated and inside if possible today.
Lake County Behavioral Health Services is reaching out to residents this month as they recognize August 31st as International Overdose Awareness Day. The department would like to recognize all of those lost to drug overdose and those struggling with addiction.
In 2022, over 100,000 people died of overdose in the country, 79 in Lake County. If you suspect someone is experiencing an overdose, immediately call 911. SafeRx will host a free event in observance of International Overdose Awareness Day on August 19 at Austin Park in Clearlake, from 10am to 2pm. Participants will have the opportunity to honor loved ones lost to overdose and get training on how to administer Narcan. Those who complete this training can also be provided Narcan, increasing the chances this life-saving drug will be available where and when it is most needed.
Willits Police Chief Fabian Lizarraga confirmed he is resigning in early September. KymKemp reports the Chief has been at the Willits Police Department since 2021 after working in Fort Bragg and in LA. He has been with law enforcement for over 40 years. The Chief says he’s ready for rest and relaxation and is stepping away from law enforcement and city governments. There’s no plan from the city of Willits for plans on replacement yet.
CHP will have a drivers license safety and DUI checkpoint in the unincorporated area of Lake County tomorrow. Officers will be checking for drivers under the influence of alcohol or drugs as well as drivers who are unlicensed. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and CHP want to send a message that driving under the influence has consequences that include getting your vehicle towed and more. They will be targeting roads where there is a high frequency of intoxicated and illegal drivers.
Mendocino County Fire Departments are getting money to buy new fire engines. The five departments chosen will get the funds within the next two years. Senator Mcguire announced last week the state committed $2 million to rural fire departments in Mendocino and Humboldt Counties for type six fire engines, designed for rugged conditions. Fifteen rural fire districts and departments have met with his office in the last year to work out a regional fire defense plan, according to MendoFever. Covelo, Laytonville, Leggett, Piercy and Westport will get the engine funding. McGuire said about $4 million in grants from Cal Fire will be awarded to Mendocino, Sonoma and Humboldt Counties for fire departments, districts and nonprofits across the region. McGuire calls the funds a “down payment” on modernizing equipment, hinting at more money on the way.
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.
The National Weather Service has extended the Red Flag Warning to the north through today with temperatures over 100. Officials are warning to know the symptoms of heat exhaustion and heat stroke and to stay hydrated and inside if possible. There is a continued potential for thunderstorms and lightning today as well. The high-risk fire weather continues as major fires are burning in Humboldt, Trinity, and Siskiyou Counties to the north, as Cal Fire and local fire crews are watching several fires in the Mendocino National Forest and more.
Green jobs in The Golden State are projected to increase by more than 7 percent over the next five years, according to a new report from WorkingNation. Last year California had more than 210-thousand workers in the green economy with more than 53-thousand openings. According to California News Service, California is spending billions to expand solar and wind power, build the E-V charging network, promote energy efficiency and make our homes, cities, roads and environment more resilient to the effects of climate change. The state also offers agricultural technical assistance programs to help farmers and growers to make their operations more sustainable.
Governor Newsom is announcing $73 million from Cal Fire for schools to replace asphalt with trees and more to protect kids against extreme heat. The funds add to the $120 million the state has distributed for projects to fight the effects of climate change. The Green Schoolyard Grant program helps create drought-tolerant natural areas on playgrounds and other ways to help kids connect to nature. Lake County News reports it’s part of the Governor’s Extreme Heat Action Plan. The funds are aimed at creating pathways shaded by trees, nature based exercise and play areas, drought tolerant landscaping and more helping kids learn skills for future careers.
Caltrans District 1 and the County of Mendocino announced a Clean California Dump Day event for Saturday, Aug. 19, at the Mendocino County Fairgrounds. This Dump Day allows residents to drop off mattresses and off-rim car and light truck tires for free with a limit of nine per load. Dump Day events are an initiative by Governor Newsom with the Clean California Act. Boonville area residents can bring stuff to the fairgrounds starting at 10am through 2pm, or until capacity is reached. Caltrans reminds motorists to properly secure and tarp all cargo loads prior to driving.
This weekend Covelo is celebrating the 40th Round Valley Blackberry Festival. Saturday and Sunday events will kick off at 10am. The festival runs through 6 p.m. on Saturday and 5 p m. on Sunday with arts and craft booths, kids’ activities, Mendocino wine tasting and live music both days. There will be a square dance Saturday evening at 7 p.m. Sunday will feature a car and motorcycle show. Admission is free.
The Fort Bragg City Council met this week, and approved a contract for marketing with The Idea Cooperative, a PR company aimed at increasing tourism in the area. A presentation was given by Redwood Waste Solutions that began service the Fort Bragg area last year. They went over their CRV redemption centers for area residents to recycle metals, plastics and glass. The company provided an update on hazardous materials with a mobile drop-off event early this month. According to the Advocate News, RWS described how they are working to comply with the state’s Short-Lived Climate Pollutant Reduction Law by turning compostable waste into compost and more.
Mendocino County officials have been test a new communication pathway to increase collaboration between criminal justice and human service organizations. The Advocate News reports officials are now ready to amp up the project. The Heads Up Project aims to put the right resource in places of need. The Ukiah Police Department, Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office, Probation Department, Social Services and Behavioral Health Departments will work with each other and other organizations to support the community through referrals. The project is focused on appropriate resources to respond to the community during issues of concern. The collaborative project has so far responded to over 250 situations. They hope to defer situations that are non-criminal in nature to the appropriate agency or department.
CHP is ramping up actions to stop retail theft rings throughout the state. Along with other law enforcement resources the department used their Organized Retail Crime Task Force on a large operation in the Central Valley last weekend arresting over 50 people and recovering over $60,000 in merchandise. In a release in KymKemp, the CHP Commissioner says this year the task force has increased investigations and will continue to do so. Since the start of the task force in 2019 there have been nearly 2,000 investigations that have disrupted retail theft rings and prosecute organized retail criminals.
Residents of Ukiah noticed FBI agents with CHP raiding West Coast Ag Products this morning in Carousel Industry Park. MendoFever reports agents also searched a home on Kennwood Drive. Witnesses say the raids happened this morning around 6am. According to court records, West Coast Ag Products’ CEO is involved in a lawsuit surrounding claims of unfair business practices. The company is a pesticide and herbicide manufacturer.
The Lake County Continuum of Care is announcing over $100,000 in funding is available. In combined federal funding for providers for homeless services, the department says there are two tiers categorized for applicants for grant money. In Tier 1, there is over $45,000 in a renewed Domestic Violence Grant. Rapid Rehousing Services for victims has been the goal of that project. In Tier 2 funding, there is $50,000 available for a new Domestic Violence grant. Projects must serve survivors with supportive services or rapid transitional rehousing. A bonus grant is also available for over $18,000 for projects that support housing for the homeless. The deadline to apply for these grants is August 28th. Check with the Lake County Continuum of Care for more information.
