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Crews are working to contain a fire that’s consumed more than 2,600 acres. The Ridge Fire on Walker Ridge Road at the Lake County and Colusa County Border is 25% contained. 300 personnel have been assigned. Cal Fire says Priorities include constructing and tying in control lines around the fire, with a focus on the north perimeter. Air and ground resources spent Sunday trying to keep the fire within its current perimeter. There are evacuation orders in effect for Lake County, in Zone CLO-E-104, and adjacent Zones in Colusa County. All roads in the area have reopened, but Cal Fire urges caution
Crews are also working the Pepperwood fire in Mendocino County. It covers 13 acres and is 60 percent contained. It is burning in a timber area north of Covelo. There are no evacuations and no structures are in danger.
The National Weather Service is out with a Heat Advisory. It includes Southern Lake County until 10 tomorrow night. The high could hit 109 degrees, so be prepared to stay in a cool spot if you can and stay hydrated. You should also check in on people who may not have adequate access to cooling. Pets are at risk too, so Animal Control says you should make sure they’re not trapped out in the broiling heat and have access to water to keep them hydrated.
The persistent heat has The Lake County Water Resources and Health departments watching Clear Lake. Conditions like this are ideal for the growth of cyanotoxin bacteria. Some sites already have high levels, so if you get your water directly from the lake with a private intake, you’ll need to be careful. Public water systems are treated and are safe. If you are ON the lake, you should avoid areas with algae on the surface.
When the Mendocino County Board of Supervisors meet this week, they’ll be taking up up the hot-button issue of raising salaries for members. Those who support it say a raise is fair because the base salary of $95,302 has not gone up, except for two cost of living adjustments since 2018. The plan up for discussion would increase their pay to $110,715 over the next two fiscal years. Critics say that kind of increase is hard to swallow, with the tight county budget and many county employees making less than $20.00 an hour.
A preliminary hearing Tuesday in the case of suspended Mendocino County Auditor Chamise Cubbison could be a pivotal moment, as the judge will have to decide on some important evidence. Cubbison and former County Payroll manager Paula June Kennedy are accused of misusing public funds in extra pay for Kennedy. Superior Court Judge Ann Moorman will have to sort out the evidence in the case before it can move forward. The special prosecutor appointed to try Cubbsion agrees with defense attorneys that internal county e-mails could put the entire case in jeopardy
The California Chapter of Mothers Against Drunk Driving is honoring a police officer from Fort Bragg. Officer Jarod Frank made 44 DUI arrests last year, something MADD says likely helped avoid highway tragedies. He’s been on the Fort Bragg force for more than 3 years. Police Chief Neil Cervenka says Frank has a passion for traffic safety and is an expert in recognizing and stopping drunk drivers. Of the arrests he made, 17 drivers were behind the wheel with a blood alcohol level more than twice the legal limit. The highest BAC of those he stopped was .28–or more than 3 times the legal limit. That driver was picked up at 3:15 on a Thursday afternoon
