Firefighters are making progress on the Ridge Fire burning in Lake and Colusa Counties. The fire has burned 2,756 acres of land and is 40% contained, as of this morning. The fire started in Remington Canyon on Saturday afternoon. Evacuation warnings remain in place for parts of Lake County. Cal Fire crews are not only battling the fire but extreme heat as well. On Tuesday, the highs in the fire area reached 104 degrees.
Heat warnings are in place for much of Northern California, but relief from the hot weather is on the horizon. National Weather Service meteorologist Nathan Rick says a slight cool down is on its way. A Heat Advisory for the Sacramento Valley and the foothills lasts until tonight. Rick expects elevated fire weather conditions today and tomorrow with possible thunderstorms in the Sierra. California could also be impacted by monsoonal moisture, which Rick says helps fuel the thunderstorms in the mountains.
An Ebony Alert is in effect for 12-year-old girl authorities say may be on her way to the Sacramento area. California Highway Patrol officials say 12-year-old Tiana Carter was last seen yesterday around 3:30 a.m. in Ventura County at Harper Drive and Santa Margarita Road. Officers believe Tiana may have caught a ride to Northern California in an unknown vehicle. Tiana Carter is described as Black, about five feet, eight inches tall, 180 to 190 pounds with black hair and brown eyes. Before she disappeared, Tiana was wearing a black-and-orange shirt and glasses. If you see Tiana Carter or know her location, call 911.
California tops the list of states with the worst road rage, according to a recent report by Forbes Advisor. It has some of the highest levels of aggressive driving behaviors. California ranks third in incidents of purposeful cutting off by drivers and fourth in experiences of yelling, insults, curses, or threats while driving. California also has the seventh-highest percentage of drivers who report that another driver has tailgated their car. It has the eighth-highest percentage of drivers who say another driver has exited their vehicle to yell at or fight with them. California also ranks 11th highest in the percentage of drivers who report that another driver has tried to block their car from merging or changing lanes.
California is making historic progress providing clean drinking water. Another 900-thousand people can now safely fill up their glasses thanks to a state program. When it launched five years ago, more than a million and a half people couldn’t rely on their water systems. That number is now down to 700 thousand. Governor Newsom calls it a huge success but says the work won’t stop until everyone has access to this essential resource.
Two men were arrested in Covelo after an attempted robbery. It happened on Monday afternoon when the MCSO responded to a burglary in progress call at a home on Shady Lane. Officers said the homeowners had interrupted several suspects stealing marijuana and taking off in a red pickup and a U-Haul Box truck. The U-Haul reportedly returned to the property a short time later and was confronted by the residents. The residents held two of the suspects until police arrived, but the others were able to get away. MCSO said in a news release that Gary Fite and Marcel Patterson were both arrested. Fite was booked into Mendocino County Jail on multiple charges including robbery and prohibited person in possession of a firearm. Patterson was seriously injured during the altercation and had to be airlifted to the hospital, but charges against him are pending. The incident is still under investigation.
As of last night, the Pepperwood Fire burning in Mendocino County is 95% contained. The fire has claimed about 13 acres just north of Covelo and East of Buck Mountain. It’s been burning since Saturday afternoon. CalFire Mendocino Unit says crews are making progress on widening and improving control lines. No structures are being threatened by the fire. The cause of the fire is under investigation.
CalFire crews continue to battle the Hill Fire burning in nearby Humboldt County. The fire started on the 16th south of Willow Creek in the Mosquito Creek Drainage. As of this morning, it’s 10% contained and burning 6,623 acres. With over 2,000 personnel on scene, CalFire says crews made significant progress yesterday. Some roads are closed near the fire, and evacuation warnings and orders are in place for several areas. Get the latest info at Fire.ca.gov
