A brief heatwave is on the way. The National Weather Service has issued a heat advisory from 11 am tomorrow to 10 pm, with temperatures as high as 105 expected. The advisory includes Lake and parts of inland Mendocino County. You should stay well hydrated, wear lightweight and loose-fitting clothing, and keep an eye on relatives and neighbors. Take action when you see symptoms of heat exhaustion and heatstroke. To reduce risk during outdoor work, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration recommends scheduling frequent rest breaks in shaded or air-conditioned environments. Anyone overcome by heat should be moved to a cool and shaded location. Heat stroke is an emergency, so if you suspect it, call 9 1 1.
The Clearlake city council isn’t happy, but has taken its first vote to approve a new state fire zone hazard map. That map adds to areas considered at high risk for fire. The vote is a formality because the city has to agree and can’t make any independent changes unless it’s to a higher fire risk level. The new maps will mean new fire safety codes for the designated areas, new disclosure requirements for property sales, a ban on outdoor plants, and could potentially lead to higher insurance rates. While they say it won’t matter, council members plan to let the state know their concerns. The state has added around 2,500 acres in the city to its highest risk designation. The first vote this week advances the map to a final vote next month. Those maps would take effect 30 days later.
If you have school-age kids, you know it can be a challenge over the summer break, keeping THEM from complaining about boredom as YOU count the days until school starts again. The Redbud Library in Clearlake might have a solution, with free lunch and an activity afterward, four days a week, beginning next month. The USDA and the State Department of Education will pay for the program Tuesday through Friday, starting June 10th. You can find out more at the library on Burns Valley Road or at their website.
