How to resolve AdBlock issue? Since the council last met, Gov. Gavin Newsom proclaimed a state of emergency for Lake County in response to the Cache fire, as Lake County News has reported.
City Manager Alan Flora said he was grateful for that proclamation, which the Governor’s Office said will help quicken removal of the resulting hazardous debris and ash, in addition to streamlining other public services for fire victims.
At that point, Flora said the city hadn’t received any word that the Cache fire would be included in a federal disaster declaration.
However, he said the governor’s declaration is freeing up resources at the state level to help with the recovery effort.
He said that over the previous few days, there had been a flurry of information about the cleanup effort, which has been included in a request for proposals for this fire and a number of others across the state.
Proposals to carry out the cleanup are expected to come in during mid-October with cleanup expected to start in early November, Flora said.
Flora said the Cache fire has been prioritized to be one of the first fire cleanups in the state.
In order to protect Cache Creek from hazardous materials in the fire’s ash and debris, Flora said the state Department of Water Resources, the State Water Board and the California Conservation Corps have installed emergency BMPs — shorthand for best management practices — equipment.
Flora said he didn’t think the BMPs installed so far were adequate for a significant rainstorm. If the cleanup happened within the next 30 days, he said they probably wouldn’t need to be strengthened. However, since the cleanup isn’t expected to start in that time frame, the state is planning to come back and install additional equipment.
Flora didn’t expect the cleanup will be delayed until the heart of winter, but he added there are likely to be some significant rainstorms events that could cause problems.
A site meeting is planned for Wednesday in order to decide on the necessary protective measures. Flora said the city engineer has provided some recommendations to the state Office of Emergency Services.
“It’s been a little bit slow but we’re making some progress there,” said Flora, adding that the state is committed to protecting the watershed.
Regarding the residents who lost their homes, Flora said they are currently housing 10 people, less than the 20 to 25 they had expected.
He said North Coast Opportunities, the agency partnering with the city to help Cache fire survivors, is working with a lot of people to find alternatives for those who need housing.
Flora said that, as soon as this week, the city could be receiving another $100,000 for temporary housing which is coming from CalOES, which is working with nonprofits to get the assistance.
The city’s finance director is working with the California Department of Housing the Community Development and some other funders and programs to find housing options, Flora said.
The city also is looking into some other more permanent housing options that might be able to be put up in the short-term on city-owned properties. Flora said there appear to be some cool and innovative opportunities there, and he would keep the council posted as those plans start to be fleshed out more.
Another issue that Flora said needs attention relates to the water systems in the fire area, specifically around the Cache Creek and Creekside mobile home parks.
He said there is a “patchwork of systems” providing water in that area.
Konocti County Water District is providing water to Cache Creek mobile home park on a temporary basis. Flora said the city is asking its state legislators to expedite Konocti’s application for funding for a water system upgrade down through that area.
Flora said Konocti had already been working on that expansion project before the fire, with the project planned and design pretty much completed.
He said Creekside Mobile Home Park, where most of the damage was concentrated, gets its water from the Lower Lake water districts. He said he thinks that property should also tie into Konocti, so that is being looked at as well.
Flora said the city also is working to get right of entry forms put together for the cleanup to start.
Another issue raised by Councilman David Claffey was about landline telephones being reconnected in the fire area. Flora said the city was still following up and he wasn’t aware at that time if the problem had been resolved.
Flora urged anyone who needs housing due to displacement from the Cache Creek to contact North Coast Opportunities.
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