The Lake County Office of Emergency Services is getting ready for the 2025 fire season. They held a briefing today with 54 representatives from federal, state, county, city, tribal, and non-governmental organizations to go over plans and hear from County, State, and Federal agencies that would be involved in a wildfire response. The OES says that as responders prepare, it’s also important for residents to take steps now to minimize the risk and protect themselves.
Also looking ahead –The Lake County Fire Chiefs Association, with a controlled burn and exercise, which could mean you’ll see more fire equipment traffic where it’s going on. The exercise will take place tomorrow from 8:00 AM through 1:00 PM around the East County Water Treatment Plant in Clearlake. Among those taking part, crews from Cal-Fire, the U S Forest Service, and each of the Lake County Fire Protection Districts. The LCFA emphasizes the importance of practicing the skills that firefighters may need to use in real-life situations, as the risk of fires increases along with the rising temperature.
A judge has ruled that a lawsuit filed by the Scotts Valley Pomo tribe against the Interior Department over plans to build a multi-million dollar casino in Vallejo can continue. The Interior Department has suspended its consideration of the project because of objections from other tribes in the area where the casino would be built. Scott’s Valley Chairman Shawn Davis tells Lake County News that the ruling means the tribe can continue to defend its position that it has historical connection to the land and can pursue economic development though gaming, Opponents–including the Vallejo area Patwin Tribe –say they are also looking forward to presenting evidence that the interior department was correct in halting its review of the project in March after it i initially gave its approval in january. The judge’s ruling isn’t on the merits of the case, but allows more evidence to be submitted by both sides.
The National Transportation Safety Board suggests the FAA may have omitted crucial safety information about a landing strip in Covelo, where a 2023 crash killed two people. Pilot Vaungn Porter and his girlfriend Jamie Rust died when the small plane took off and flew directly into the mountainside off runway 28 at the Round Valley Airport. Porter was an experienced commercial pilot, and his family says he was meticulous about safe flying. SFgate reports that the NTSB final report assigns the blame to Vaughn for his decision to use the runway that put him on a path toward the mountain. However, it also says the FAA Chart he used failed to adequately describe the terrain at the end of the runway, which could have influenced how he took off. Since the crash, the chart of the strip has been updated to include more information about the 4,000-foot peak just 1 nautical mile from the end of the runway
Cal Fire is hiring. They’ve opened a new website, joincalfire.com.. com, Governor Newsom says it’s part of an effort to recruit new employees in several different specialties. They include firefighting, resource management, aviation, communications, IT, and administrative support. Over the next four years, Cal Fire plans to add thousands of people, saying it is a pivotal time to address the long-term threat of wildfires. The hiring site has information on positions available, career paths, and how to apply.
Some changes for a local MTA bus route are possible because of a special event. The MTA says the event around the courthouse in Ukiah could affect Local Route 9 tomorrow. Mendotransit.org has more.
