Archives for August 2020

The #LNULightningComplex is 58% contained and the portion of the complex burning in Lake and Napa Counties – the Hennessey Fire – is at 317,909 acres and 57% contained. Nine structures in Lake County have been destroyed in the complex.

Yesterday, an evacuation warning was lifted for portions of Lower Lake, and an evacuation order was reduced to an evacuation warning for some residents in the Middletown Area. Other orders and warnings for south Lake County remain in place. You can find all announcements on the Lake County Sheriff’s Office Facebook Page.

New COVID-19 related deaths have been reported in both Lake and Mendocino Counties.

In Mendocino County, an 82-year-old Latino man from the Ukiah area passed away. There have been 17 deaths in the county since the start of the pandemic.

In Lake County, a person older than 65, who was living in a residential facility and had long-term medical issues died. The person had tested positive for COVID-19. This was Lake County’s fourth coronavirus-related death.

The Governor is introducing plans to start reopening the state county-by-county using a tiered approach. Starting today, the “Watch List” is replaced with a 4 tier system – 1 is the highest risk of community disease transmission of COVID-19 while 4 is the least risk. The tiers are: Widespread, Substantial, Moderate, and Minimal. Daily case rates and test positivity rates determine a county’s tier placement. Businesses in counties in less-restrictive tiers can provide services in more ways.

Lake County will be initially placed in Tier 2 – Substantial. This means movie theaters can allow 25% capacity and restaurants to have indoor dining at 25% of capacity.

Mendocino County is placed in Tier 1 – Substantial. A revised Shelter In Place Order goes into effect today with changes that include: Retail establishments have a capacity restriction of 25%, and grocery stores have a capacity restriction of 50%.

Evacuation orders for Hidden Valley, and a portion of Lower Lake have been reduced to warnings. The evacuation warnings for Middletown proper and other areas of the south county remain in place. During a community meeting last night on the LNU Lightning Complex, state Senator Mike McGuire said that part of the complex buring in Lake County, the Hennessey fire, has been incredibly stubborn. He added that Cal Fire is prioritizing efforts to keep the fire out of Middletown, as well as Hidden Valley Lake.

The driver of a fuel truck was killed this week after a crash in Covelo. The CHP reports that the man was driving a 2019 International truck carrying approximately 2,000 pounds of diesel fuel westbound on Highway 162 near Barnes Lane in Covelo around 11 p.m. when he ran off the road edge and overturned after hitting a tree. A Hazardous Incident Team was able to safely offload the diesel.

Ukiah police are investigating a drive-by shooting that happened on South Orchard Avenue. Police responded to the area yesterday at around 12:15 a.m. after several calls to 911 about gunshots. Officers found several expended casings lying in the roadway in the 700 block of South Orchard and determined an occupied dwelling and two vehicles were struck by gunshots. Officers are analyzing footage from surveillance cameras in the neighborhood. Anyone with information regarding this incident is urged to call the UPD at 707-463-6262.

As some Lake County residents begin to return home from evacuations, PG&E urges customers to follow important safety guidelines. Crews have been restoring power in areas impacted by wildfires. The LNU Lightning Complex Fire has impacted 25,488 total PG&E customers.

Here’s the article with safety guidelines.
www.pgecurrents.com/2020/08/27/as-recovery-begins-from-widespread-wildfires-pg-updates-power-restoration-progress/

2 fires in Mendocino County that broke out yesterday are out. The East Fire in Calpella caused evacuations. As of last night, all Evacuations Orders and Warnings were lifted. That fire was held at 6 acres- and destroyed 1 residence.

An evacuation warning was issued yesterday afternoon for the Spring Fire in Vichy Springs in Ukiah. That fire was quickly contained at held at 1.37 acres.

The Hennessey fire portion of the LNU Lightning Complex, burning in Lake, Napa counties, was last reported to be at 303,155 acres and 33% contained.

Yesterday afternoon the Lake County Sheriff’s Office and Cal Fire issued a new evacuation warning for the area east of Old Long Valley Road and New Long Valley Road, extending north to the Lake-Colusa County line, north of Highway 20 and south and west of the Lake-Colusa County line.

As the LNU Lightning Complex fires continue, Lake County wants to ensure that evacuees are aware of the sheltering support available through several agencies. If you are in a mandatory evacuation zone and need shelter, Lake County Department of Social Services has partnered with the American Red Cross to open a shelter at Kelseyville High School. Report to the Temporary Evacuation Point in the Kelseyville High School parking lot. You will be screened for COVID-19 symptoms and exposure by LCDSS personnel. Where you are directed to shelter will depend on your results.