Crews rushed to Kelseyville on Saturday after flames erupted near Clark Drive, quickly climbing a hillside and burning two structures. The Clark Fire started around 2:15 p.m. in grass near a treehouse and drew in tankers, helicopters, and extra water tenders almost immediately. By mid-afternoon, officials said the blaze was holding at about three acres thanks to heavy retardant drops. Firefighters stayed on scent into Saturday evening to make sure it didn’t flare back up.
A quick-moving fire in Covelo Sunday night burned multiple trailers and vehicles before crews got it under control. It broke out just after 6:30 p.m. near Crawford and Hopper lanes, charring a small patch of field as aircraft and ground crews hit it hard. Planes were released about half an hour later as firefighters wrapped up. The sheriff’s office put out an alert for neighbors, but there’s still no word on injuries or what sparked the flames.
Lakeport’s City Council meets Tuesday night with a packed agenda that includes celebrating the city’s Blue Zones designation and weighing a hazard mitigation plan. The Blue Zones program promotes healthy living, and Lakeport now joins Clearlake and other Lake County organizations in earning the recognition. Public Works Director Ron Ladd is asking the council to sign on to the county’s hazard plan and begin work on a general plan amendment tied to public safety. Council members will also review a new police union agreement, update job classifications, and go behind closed doors to discuss opioid litigation.
Starting tonight, Route 1 north of Mendocino will be shut down overnight as crews work on the Jack Peters Creek Bridge. Caltrans says the closure runs 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. through Thursday, with emergency vehicles allowed through but everyone else detoured. The project is part of a $15.5 million overhaul that will give the old 1939 bridge wider lanes, bigger shoulders, and a pedestrian path by next fall.
A wild chase through Mendocino County hit speeds of 150 mph Sunday before ending south of Hopland with officers drawing guns on the driver. The pursuit began in Willits and tore down Highway 101, with the suspect still topping 100 mph even after losing both front tires. CHP picked it up near Jackson Keys Winery, and the car finally stopped just after crossing Hopland’s Green Bridge. Scanner chatter says it was a Toyota Yaris, but police haven’t yet named the driver or explained what started it.
Lake County supervisors meet Tuesday morning in Lakeport with a big decision on Behavioral Health finances. The department is asking for more time to repay a $2 million loan after falling behind because of delayed Medi-Cal reimbursements. The board will also hear from the UC Master Gardeners and from student interns during the session. People can tune in live on Channel 8, online, or join through Zoom to follow along or comment.
California’s Legislature just approved a massive energy and climate deal that leaders say will cut costs and speed up the state’s clean energy transition. The package, called “Cap-and-Invest,” could funnel up to $90 billion into things like cheaper utility bills, new housing, wildfire prevention, and cleaner transit. It also builds in new oversight and sets aside $250 million every year to fight pollution in hard-hit communities.
The State legislature has passed the nation’s first AI Safety Bill. SB-53 requires large AI labs to be transparent about their safety protocols and creates whistleblower protections for employees at AI labs, among other things. However, it is unclear if Governor Newsom will sign it. The governor vetoed a previous AI-protection bill. Supporters say this new bill includes amendments recommended after that first veto.
