Get ready for a blast of summer heat. The National Weather Service says as the weekend gets closer, temperatures will rise, with highs nearing 100 degrees Saturday, Sunday, and Monday for inland areas like Covelo, Ukiah, and Clearlake. They say heat this high can be life-threatening, especially to those at risk and those without adequate access to cooling. The extreme heat could continue until early next week. The advice is to drink plenty of water, wear light-colored clothing, take frequent breaks in the shade, and use sunscreen with a Sun Protection Factor of 30 or higher to protect your skin from UV rays.
The heat brings the increased risk of fires, and CalFire will be on alert. They have a goal of containing 95 percent of all fires at 10 acres or less, and they met that goal at a fire east of Clearlake Oaks on Tuesday. They were able to stop the Cache Fire at 9.75 acres, though coordinated air and ground attacks. Cal Fire says that’s impressive, given that crews were dealing with spot fires in the brush in a remote location.
Fort Bragg is getting ready for the Fourth of July. The city plans its fireworks on July 5th, and there will be some changes to handle the expected big crowd. Unlike past years, police say Pomo Bluff Parking Lot off Ocean View Drive will be open to everyone, with special places marked for handicapped parking only. Public parking along Ocean View Drive and the various north/south roadways off Ocean View Drive, as well as the east side of Cliff Way (grass) will be prohibited. Public Parking along the north side of North Harbor Drive extending from the 400 Block of N Harbor to the Jetty Parking Lot will be prohibited. These roadways were not designed for public parking and need to remain open for law enforcement and emergency personnel response. Residents, guests, and business owners along these roadways should ensure that any vehicle is parked entirely on private property. Signage notifying the public of no parking/tow away will be posted on each of these roadways before the event. Any vehicle found illegally parked in these areas will be subject to parking citations and be towed. Paid parking will also be available for $20 on the South Coastal Trail, with fees going to offset the cost of the display. Police say they’ll strictly enforce local, county, and state laws and will have extra officers on duty to control traffic. There’s a summary of the changes and the restrictions on the Fort Bragg police Facebook page.
The Lakeport Planning Commission says Safeway can subdivide its property in the Willow Tree Street shopping center. The commission gave approval to divide the property on 11th Street into two parcels. One is the grocery store, the other is the rest of the remaining commercial property that includes CVS, Community First Credit Union, and other shops. The store has been there since 1981, and the chain has owned the property since 2007. The store was recently upgraded, and the parking lot was improved. The city says subdividing the land is for the company’s administrative and operational purposes. The city council will have the final say.
