The Bureau of Land Management is mandating fire restrictions in the area. The BLM’s field office in Ukiah says fire restrictions will go into effect Friday in Colusa, Glen, Lake, Marin, Mendocino, Napa, Solano, Sonoma, and Yolo counties. Starting then, you won’t be able to set a campfire or open flame of any kind, including within established campgrounds, with no smoking, except within an enclosed vehicle or building, or a developed campground with a three-foot diameter area clear of brush and all flammable materials. Also banned – internal combustion engines of any kind, except on designated roads and trails, and no recreational shooting that could spark a fire. The BLM says the rules will remain in place until the fire danger subsides. The BLM website has more on what it’s doing to prevent wildfires as the dry weather continues.
Invasive species are a major problem, and the state is reminding people about how much damage those non-native plants and animals can do. Next week is California Invasive Species Action Week, and biologists are urging people to be aware and do their part to keep those species from spreading outside their natural habitats. Invasives.wildlife.ca.gov has more information.
Some advanced high-tech medical equipment is now available in Ukiah, and doctors say it promises better care for patients with serious medical conditions. A PET/CT machine is usually found in major hospitals in big cities, but now, Adventist Health Ukiah Valley has its own to get a detailed view of internal organs for diagnosing conditions like cancer, heart disease, and neurological disorders. Hospital leaders say it will be a game changer for those rural patients who until now have had a hard time accessing an important tool without going a long way from home The scanner is the latest model too–that can show those images in about half the time with faster and lower doses of radiation providing highly detailed pictures Adventist says it’s docs can now be much more confident that the treatment plans they offer will bring peace of mind–and give hope to people who are facing potentially life threatening illnesses.
Also on the medical front, A new clinic will soon be open for people in Lake County. Sutter Health says its 5.5 million dollar facility in Middletown will expand its local footprint and serve an area that lacks primary and behavioral health services close to home. Sutter hopes the clinic will cut the time needed to get an appointment, and could eventually serve up to 3,000 patients a year.
Lakeport is out with its Fourth of July rules, including when and where you can legally use fireworks. The city’s safe and sane fireworks policy allows fireworks purchased in the city only that be shot off between 9 and 10 PM only on July 1 through the 4th. You can only do that on private property IF the property owner gives permission. Lakeport is the only community in the county that allows for those limited sales and times you can use fireworks legally. Police say their illegal fireworks operation plan is in effect from June 17th to June 16th. It will be helped by other law enforcement and fire department personnel taking part.
Ulkiah police have a new addition to their fleet that may look different than what you’re used to. The 2024 Dodge Durango is specially painted and marked designed to blend in with other drivers. CHP is also doing some new, similar vehicles with a bold new color scheme that troopers say makes them more effective. Both departments say that while you may not spot the new police cars right away, they will spot YOU if you’re violating traffic laws.
