Some families forced out by California’s fifth largest wildfire ever are returning to find they have nothing left. Evacuation orders were lifted in parts of Butte County, where the Park Fire started last week near Chico. Cal Fire gave an update last night showing most of the 391-thousand acres burned is in neighboring Tehama County. The damage toll is also much higher at 437 homes and buildings destroyed in both counties, with another 42 damaged. But inspection teams aren’t done yet. Right now, crews have the fire 18% contained.
The California man suspected of starting the massive Park Fire is due in court today. Ronnie Stout will likely enter a plea during his arraignment on arson charges. He claims it was all an accident, saying his car got stuck on rocks and wouldn’t start, and then caught fire. Witnesses reported seeing him push the car into a ravine in Chico and those flames spread quickly, forcing evacuations across four counties. Stout has two prior convictions and was on probation for DUI in 2020 when he was arrested. He’s also a registered sex offender.
The University of California president is stepping down. Michael Drake plans to leave next summer and then take a sabbatical before returning to a faculty position. He’s held the top job since 2020, just as the pandemic was unfolding. Governor Newsom praised him for leading “with grace and vision,” saying it’s “been an honor to work alongside him.” This news comes as the UC system celebrates a milestone, admitting its largest and most diverse class for this fall. Students wanting to attend next fall can start applying today.
Avelo Airlines is making changes to two of its routes out of Charles M. Schulz-Sonoma County Airport. It is ending its route to Salem, Oregon and moving its route to Kalispell, Montana to a seasonal schedule. The last flight to Salem will be on September 2nd. A company spokesperson says the route didn’t generate enough demand. The Kalispell route will stay on its current schedule through the end of this month. Then, it will go to a seasonal schedule, with flights in November, December and January. The airline is also adding two new routes. Starting in October travelers will have the option of nonstop flights to Salt Lake City and Ontario International Airport in Southern California.
California has seen a spike in COVID cases this summer, particularly related to the subvariant known as FLiRT. Medical experts say that the highly contagious strain is evidence that COVID-19 is not going away any time soon. They add that as soon as humans build immunity to one variant, another develops, and it could be weaker or stronger than the last. Only time will tell.
The Bluenose Fire continues to burn in Mendocino County. CalFire says it’s 90% contained at the last update. The fire started on Tuesday afternoon about 5 miles northeast of Covelo. It’s burned about 4 acres of land so far, no structures have been damaged and no one has been injured. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
There’s a special meeting of the Ukiah City Council today. They’ll be considering whether or not to ask voters to raise the amount of the Transient Occupancy Tax. The current tax rate is 10%, and there’s a resolution on the table to raise it to 13%. The Transient Occupancy Tax is charged to people who stay 30 days or less in hotels, motels, and similar lodgings. The City Council says the rate has not been increased since 2007, while inflation and the cost of doing business has increased. The City Council will meet at 4:30 this afternoon at the Civic Center in Ukiah, and on Zoom. Get more info at CityofUkiah.com/Meetings.
A massive pot grow site has been shut down in Lake County. Clearlake Police, Clearlake Code Enforcement, Lakeport Police, and the Lake County DA’s office served search warrants on 5 properties in Clearlake on July 25th, according to a press release. They seized just over 1900 marijuana plants plus processed marijuana, firearms, ammo, and cannabis vape pens. Police said the homes on the properties had rooms set up for indoor growing and drying, and the manufacturing of vape pens. Eight people have been arrested and now face several charges.
