LOWER LAKE, Calif. – A fire burning between Lower Lake and Hidden Valley Lake has reached 300 acres and is requiring evacuations, according to state and local officials.

The 29 Fire, burning on the west side of Highway 29 and Perini Road, was first reported at about 2:45 p.m., as Lake County News has reported.

At 6:20 p.m. Lake County Deputy Administrative Officer Debra Sommerfield said the fire had burned 300 acres.

Sommerfield said the fire also had destroyed one residence and 10 vehicles.

Mandatory evacuations were in place for the area of Murphy Springs Road to Perini Road, Sommerfield said.

She said voluntary evacuations were in place for Candy Lane to Joseph Trail in the Twin Lakes Subdivision, south of Lower Lake.

Sommerfield said the fire was backing up into some nearby vineyards. Radio traffic indicated firefighters were continuing to hit the fire from the ground and the air in order to stop it.

Cal Fire did not give an estimate of containment early Thursday evening.

Highway 29 remains closed between Spruce Grove Road’s northern and southern entries onto Highway 29, Sommerfield said. Traffic was being diverted off of the highway onto Spruce Grove to keep the area clear.

She said a temporary evacuation center was being set up at Lower Lake High School, 9430 Lake St. Red Cross was set to open the center at 7 p.m.

Efforts also were under way to set up a temporary animal evacuation shelter, but Sommerfield did not have final confirmation on those plans.

Cole Creek Equestrian Center at 4965 Steelhead Drive in Kelseyville said it would take in horses that needed to be evacuated. The center can be reached day or night at 707-775-5880 or 707-349-1868.

Paul Marchand said emergency horse boarders also are welcome at Highland Springs Equestrian Center, 707-279-1903.

Cooperating agencies include Cal Fire, which has incident command in cooperation with the Lake County Office of Emergency Services, the California Highway Patrol, California Department of Fish and Game and the Lake County Sheriff’s Office, Sommerfield said.

Lake County News will continue to post updates on the fire throughout the evening.

Email Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . Follow her on Twitter, @ERLarson, or Lake County News, @LakeCoNews.

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – A new bill signed by the governor will establish new fees on boats in an effort to increase quagga and zebra mussel prevention efforts around California.

Gov. Jerry Brown’s office reported that on Sept. 23 he signed AB 2443 by Assemblyman Das Williams (D-Santa Barbara). The bill goes into effect on Jan. 1, 2013.

Williams’ bill would impose additional fees of up to $20 – over the current registration fees owners of water vessels pay to the state – which would be used for the implementation of dreissenid mussel monitoring, inspection and infestation prevention programs, according to the Legislative Counsel’s digest.

Dreissenid mussels – including quaggas and zebras – began appearing several years ago in Southern California water bodies.

They’re considered particularly devastating to ecosystems, and fears about their impacts have led to the establishment of inspection and sticker programs in Lake County in order to protect Clear Lake, Blue Lakes and other waterways.

State officials said the funds AB 2443 generates will be directed primarily to two agencies – the Department of Boating and Waterways and Department of Fish and Game – each of which will be administering a separate grant program.

Gloria Sandoval, spokesperson for the Department of Boating and Waterways, said AB 2443’s main purpose was to create a new and dedicated funding source for mussel monitoring and prevention programs around the state.

Sandoval said Boating and Waterways will take the lead in the formation of an advisory group that will set the amount of the new water vessel fees.

The fees that will go to Boating and Waterways will go into the Harbor and Watercraft Revolving Fund, she said.

The agency will administer grants to agencies that manage eligible lakes and reservoirs, according to Sandoval.

Andrew Hughan, a spokesman for the Department of Fish and Game, said that agency also will receive a percentage, which it intends to distribute through a separate grant program.

“We’re going to create a new grant program that does not exist now,” said Hughan, noting that current grant administration staff will take on the duties associated with the new program, with no new staff to be added.

He said each public agency that maintains a body of water will be able to apply for a grant that’s specific to mussel prevention efforts.

Hughan estimated that grants won’t be available until sometime in 2015 in order to give the state time to accumulate the new funds.

“It will take us a year at least to get up and going,” said Hughan.

He said the funds from AB 2443 won’t be going into Fish and Game’s prevention program. “We have our quagga program established and we have that built into our program.”

Hughan said Fish and Game wants to be more aggressive in preventing the spread of the mussels. “We want to do everything we can to help other jurisdictions,” which includes assisting with prevention and public education.

Department of Fish and Game wardens do some enforcement – as is the case in Lake County on Clear Lake – in the midst of their other duties, said Hughan.

“We rely on the local jurisdictions to really step up, which they have been,” Hughan said.

Because the bill is so new, Carolyn Ruttan, invasive species program coordinator with Lake County Department of Water Resources, said the local agency is not yet sure of how the new bill may benefit Lake County’s prevention program.

She said there is the concern that the money will be largely directed to affected lakes and waterways in Southern California rather than to prevention efforts in Northern California.

At the same time, she said Lake is hoping to form partnerships with the neighboring counties of Mendocino and Sonoma – all big players in terms of water resources – in order to consider mussel prevention from a regional standpoint.

“We need to think about this problem together,” Ruttan said.

Email Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

MENDOCINO NATIONAL FOREST, Calif. – Fire restrictions on the Mendocino National Forest will be lifted Tuesday, Oct. 16, at 12:01 a.m. as a result of lower temperatures in the area.

Visitors with a valid California Campfire Permit will once again be able to have fires outside of designated campgrounds, including wilderness areas.

The fire restrictions were put in place July 13 due to increased fire danger and hot, dry weather.

Despite the change in weather, fire season is not officially over, forest officials said.

Visitors are asked to be careful when using campfires, charcoal fires and gas stoves in the National Forest.

When you have a campfire, please do the following:

• Clear all flammable material away from the fire for a minimum of 5 feet in all directions to prevent escape of the fire.
• Have a shovel available at the campfire site for preparing and extinguishing campfires.
• Have a responsible person in attendance at all times.
• Extinguish campfire with water, drowning the fire, stirring the coals and ash, and feeling for heat or warm spots; continue the process until the coals and ash are cold.

Campfire permits are available free of charge from any Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management or Cal Fire offices, including the Mendocino National Forest.

For more information, please contact the Mendocino National Forest at 530-934-3316 or visit www.fs.usda.gov/mendocino .

THIS STORY HAS BEEN UPDATED.

LOWER LAKE, Calif. – Firefighters are responding to a rapidly moving fire along Highway 29 between Lower Lake and Hidden Valley Lake that is threatening multiple structures.

The fire, on the west side of the highway near A Street and Agua Dulce Drive south of the Twin Lakes Subdivision, was first dispatched at 2:45 p.m.

Firefighters arriving at scene initially reported the blaze to be about one to two acres, with a rapid rate of spread and moving uphill, with at least one structure threatened.

Shortly after 3 p.m. the fire was reported to be about 15 acres, burning in oak woodland with a south wind hitting it, resulting in spotting, according to radio reports.

Lake County Fire Chief Willie Sapeta, after arriving at the scene, called for the California Highway Patrol to respond to close the highway’s southbound lane.

Minutes later, Sapeta asked for additional CHP to respond and fully close the highway between Murphy Springs and the origin of the fire, determined to be in the 13000 block of Highway 29 near A Street. He said traffic congestion was becoming a concern.

Central Dispatch reported that Fish and Game also was responding to assist with traffic control.

Cal Fire sent a full wildland dispatch, including air resources, which were hitting the fire. Resources also were responding from different fire agencies around the lake.

Radio reports indicated the fire was moving into a nearby vineyard and was threatening multiple structures.

Shortly before 3:30 p.m. a strike team request was sent out to fire agencies around the county following reports that the fire had grown to an estimated 40 acres.

Radio reports indicated at 3:30 p.m. that power lines were down in the fire area.

Before 4 p.m. there were reports of possible evacuations in the area. The CHP confirmed that evacuations were planned for the Twin Lakes Subdivision.

Just before 4:30 p.m., a strike team of five engines and two dozers were dispatched to the corner of Candy Lane and Lawrence Road off of Highway 29 north of the fire for structure protection.

The CHP said road closures were in effect for Highway 29 at Highway 53 and at Highway 29 and Spruce Grove Road.

At 4:50 p.m Cal Fire reported that the fire had reached 50 acres.

Additional details will be posted as they become available.

Email Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

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LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Although there has been a 25 percent decline in large truck-involved fatal collisions from (2007-2010) nationally, the California Highway Patrol (CHP) is working daily to save even more lives through enforcement and education.

To further enhance that progress, the CHP will join forces with other law enforcement agencies throughout the US, Canada, and Mexico for the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance's Operation Safe Driver, October 14-20.

This operation targets unsafe and aggressive driving by both passenger and commercial vehicle drivers by conducting high visibility enforcement operations and public outreach.

The CHP, in a partnership with the California Trucking Association, will conduct high-visibility enforcement operations and public outreach during the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) Operation Safe Driver week. CHP will conduct enforcement activities statewide on highways and local roads.

In California, there has been a 40 percent decrease in the number of collisions involving a commercial vehicle that resulted in the death of a motorist between 2006 and 2010.

“By participating in education and enforcement efforts such as Operation Safe Driver, the CHP is striving to continue to reduce the number of people killed and injured on California’s roadways,” said CHP Commissioner Joe Farrow.

The CHP joins with the CVSA by encouraging motorists to keep in mind the following safety tips when driving near a big truck:

• Stay out of the No-Zone. A No-Zone is an actual blind spot where the car “disappears” from the view of the truck driver.
• Stay visible! Large trucks need a much longer braking distance than a car. Do not cut into a truck’s space; if this happens, it reduces a truck’s much-needed braking distance and restricts evasive action.
• Do not tailgate a truck. The further you are away from a truck the less likely you will be involved in a collision.
• Do not speed. Obey all speed limits.
• Allow plenty of room. Large trucks are almost as wide as your lane of travel. Following too close behind one prevents you from reacting to changing traffic conditions and patterns.
• Buckle up. Wearing your safety belt is the single most important thing you can do to save your life in a crash.

“Protect yourself and your passengers by learning how to share the road safely with large vehicles,” added Commissioner Farrow.

The CVSA, in partnership with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration and state and local law enforcement launched the Operation Safe Driver campaign in 2007 to combat the number of deaths resulting from crashes involving large trucks, buses, and passenger vehicles.

LOWER LAKE, Calif. – Local and state fire agencies will be conducting live fire training and a controlled burn with California State Parks on Tuesday, Oct. 16, between 6 p.m. and 10 p.m. at Anderson Marsh State Historic Park and Natural Preserve in Lower Lake.

The fuel to be burned is grass and light brush, State Parks reported.

The public may still see and smell smoke from Clear Lake, Lower Lake and other outlying areas on Clear Lake.

California State Parks conducts this live fire training periodically to control invasive plant species, fuel reduction, hazard assessment, maintain fuel breaks, and enhance coordination between local and state agencies.

During this training, firefighters will participate in mobile attack, progressive hose lays, handline construction, firing operations, fire shelter deployment, fire suppression tactics and strategies, as well as overall fire and public safety.

A similar exercise and controlled burn was conducted on Oct. 9, as Lake County News has reported.

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – The unseasonably warm fall weather peaks Thursday, as cooler temperatures and the first rains of the season approach Lake County.

Forecasters predict that high daytime temperatures Thursday and Friday – in the mid- to upper-80s throughout the county – will give way to cooler temperatures and chances of rain and showers throughout next week beginning on Saturday evening.

A significant low-pressure system is making its way from the Gulf of Alaska towards Northern California and is expected to arrive Friday evening, bringing with it temperatures closer to average.

Expected daytime highs on Saturday will be in the upper-60s to low-70s with sunny skies, but clouds begin rolling in Saturday night, bringing a slight chance of rain.

Overnight lows will remain moderate, in the upper-40s, according to forecasters.

Chances for rain and showers continue through next Wednesday at this point, with some forecast models indicating a more significant storm event to impact the county on next Thursday.

Email Terre Logsdon at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

NORTH COAST, Calif. – A big rig carrying drilling equipment up Geysers Road toward Cobb Mountain overturned on Monday morning, blocking the roadway for several hours.

The incident occurred shortly before 10 a.m. in the 13000 block of Geysers Road, on the Sonoma County side near Cloverdale, according to the California Highway Patrol.

The CHP said the driver was uninjured in the wreck, which completely blocked the roadway.

Officer John Float of the CHP’s Santa Rosa Area office said the 35-ton International truck was carrying drilling equipment up the hill. Reports from the scene said the truck was loaded with pipes and augers.

Float didn’t have information about where the equipment was headed.

Bottle Rock Power Plant said the equipment wasn’t headed there; Lake County News was unable to reach the Northern California Power Agency or Calpine to see if their geothermal plants on Cobb Mountain had been the destination for the equipment.

Float said that tow trucks arrived on the scene at 2:30 p.m. to remove the truck.

“The road is closed,” Float said shortly before 3 p.m.

He said the Sonoma County Road Department was providing traffic control in the area.

Email Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

CLEARLAKE, Calif. – Following events last week promoting the Lakeshore Drive Downtown Corridor, a team of engineers and consultants last Friday unveiled the preliminary designs for the area that were based on community involvement and suggestions.

The Lakeshore Drive Downtown Corridor runs from Olympic Drive to Old Highway 53.

Opening the Oct. 12 presentation at Clearlake City Hall was Josh Meyer, director of Community Planning Programs at Local Government Commission, a nonprofit organization that worked with the Lake County/City Area Planning Council (APC).

Meyer explained the funding behind the corridor’s proposed designs. APC wrote a proposal for a $160,000 Caltrans grant that allowed the community to fund the vision.

With Nelson Nygaard, an engineering firm, as well as Opticos Design on board, the entire team was able to help translate ideas into a plan for improvement projects, Meyer said.

Going over challenges, values, speed, sidewalks and parking, Meyer explained what needed to be improved, and what improvements were already being made.

Current efforts include grant funding that will go to upgrading Redbud’s boat ramps, as well as planned improvements at Highlands Park.

The turnout from the community has been stellar, said Meyer.

At Friday’s presentation, more than 100 members of the public were on hand. The design studio, on Wednesday night, also brought in higher than normal attendance numbers – double, the numbers in other communities, the team reported.

Improvements such as buffers, adhering to the American Disabilities Act (ADA) requirement of 48 inches of adequate space and signage are all challenges for creating a proper road on Lakeshore Drive, the team explained.

John Miki from Opticos Design continued the presentation, showing graphics of proposed improvements.

As parks are close to retail, amenities should be used to help boost the public draw of Redbud Park’s harbor, designers suggested.

Preliminary design suggestions included having only one side of parking, medians, on street and back-in parking, and bike lanes.

The designs showed the vast improvements that can be made to Lakeshore Drive as the city works with property developers and obtains easements of dedication from business owners.

It was recommended that Clearlake build on what it has now. However, proper design and maintenance will be crucially important, as most of the corridor’s water side is deemed by the Federal Emergency Management Agency to be in the flood zone.

Staff commended Ben Lawson for taking the team out on his boat to help them envision the view from a boater’s perspective. Designs to help improve floating docks and pilings leading up to the parks were based on Lawson’s tour of Clear Lake.

The community was asked to keep an open mind as future developments – and developers – come forward.

The team said Lakeshore Drive is a work in progress, and will be substantially aided by this new grant and design efforts.

Leaving behind some “bite-size” prioritized tasks, and short- to long-term goals for the city, the grant continues with review and work coming back in late February.

After the presentation, attendees walked across to Austin Park for a community reception.

The reception was hosted by the Clear Lake Chamber of Commerce led by Tamara Richmond, with food provided by Chic Le Chef, wine from Six Sigma and Vigilance Wineries and music from David Neft.

A camera crew from the Discovery Channel also was on hand to document Clearlake’s latest event for a show about America.

Email Nathalie V. Antus at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

In the first month since launching, more than 544,000 Californians have submitted a voter registration application using the Secretary of State’s online system.

This is peak registration season; Californians must register to vote by October 22 if they want to participate in the Nov. 6 election.

“Given all of the important issues on the November ballot, I am delighted so many Californians want to make their voices heard,” said Secretary of State Debra Bowen, California’s chief elections officer. “Since registering to vote is easier than ever with the quick online option, there is no excuse for not being ready to vote on Election Day.”

While more than 544,000 people used the online application, and many more are submitting paper applications, county elections officials still must verify eligibility and check for duplicate records before adding someone to the official voter roll, Bowen’s office reported.

Further, many of the applications are registration updates and not first-time registrants, so 544,000 online applications does not equate to 544,000 new voters. Finally, Bowen’s office said official statistics for all registrations will be available Nov. 2.

In California, voter registration application volume peaks each October before a November statewide general election (which comes in even-numbered years).

Hundreds of thousands of registration applications are submitted in the final weeks before a voter registration deadline, especially in presidential election years.

Voter registration applications must be submitted by midnight 15 days before the election. Postmarks count for paper applications, and online applications must be submitted – not started – by midnight on the Oct. 22 deadline (online registration records are time-stamped upon completion).

Voter records are maintained by county elections officials, who will use the next few days after the wave of last-minute applications on Oct. 22 to process and verify every one.

After all 58 county elections officials send their registration data to the Secretary of State, the secretary will compile the final statewide numbers with breakdowns by political district, political party, and more in the final Report of Registration on Nov. 2.

The official California voter registration application is at www.RegisterToVote.ca.gov . Paper applications are available at post offices, public libraries, many government offices and more.

Lake County residents may register to vote at the Lake County Registrar of Voters office, Room 209, Courthouse, Lakeport, or may phone the Registrar of Voter’s office at 707-263-2372 for information.

Keep up with the latest California election news and trivia by following @CASOSvote on Twitter.

COBB, Calif. – A moderately sized earthquake was reported near The Geysers geothermal steamfield on Monday morning.

The quake, measuring 3.0 on the Richter Scale, occurred at 5:44 a.m., according to the US Geological Survey.

Its epicenter was located one mile north northeast of The Geysers, four miles west southwest of Cobb and six miles west northwest of Anderson Springs, at a depth of 1.5 miles, the survey reported.

Two shake reports were submitted to the US Geological Survey – one from Middletown and one from Oakland.

Email Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Lake County Animal Care and Control is holding its second adoption event of the year, with a reduction in costs to take home a new feline friend.

A number of cats of varying ages and types are available for adoption this week.

The county’s $30 adoption fee will be waived. Male cats will cost a total of $76 to adopt; that covers altering, vaccines (including rabies) and a microchip. Adopting a female cat will cost $86, with the same services included.

Cats that are adopted from Lake County Animal Care and Control are either neutered or spayed and microchipped before being released to their new owner. License fees do not apply to residents of the cities of Lakeport or Clearlake.

If you're looking for a new companion, visit the shelter. There are many great pets there, hoping you'll choose them.

The following cats at the Lake County Animal Care and Control shelter have been cleared for adoption (other cats pictured on the animal control Web site that are not listed here are still “on hold”).

Gray male tabby

This gray male tabby is 2 years old.

He has a medium-length coat, weighs nearly 9 pounds and is not yet neutered.

Find him in cat room kennel No. 11a, ID No. 34357.

Orange male tabby

This male orange tabby is 6 months old.

He weighs 4 pounds, has a short coat and has been neutered.

He’s in cat room kennel No. 15a, ID No. 34145.

Male orange tabby

This male orange tabby is 6 months old.

He has not yet been neutered, weighs 3.5 pounds and has a short coat.

He’s in cat room kennel 15b, ID No. 34146.

Domestic short hair mix

This female domestic short hair mix is of undetermined age.

She has a short coat and is not yet spayed.

Find her in cat room kennel No. 15c, ID No. 34147.

Orange and white tabby

This male orange and white tabby is 1 year old.

He has green eyes and a short coat, weighs 5 pounds and has been neutered.

He’s in cat room kennel No. 25, ID No. 34500.

Male gray tabby

This male gray tabby is 7 months old.

He has a short coat, weighs 4 pounds and has been neutered.

Find him in cat room kennel No. 33a, ID No. 34485.

Black domestic short hair mix

This male black domestic short hair mix is 6 months old.

He has gold eyes, weighs 4 pounds and has been altered.

He’s in cat room kennel No. 33b, ID No. 34465.

Domestic short hair mix

This female domestic short hair mix is 6 years old.

She has blues eyes and a short white coat, and has been spayed.

Find her in cat room kennel No. 46, ID No. 34385.

Male gray tabby

This male gray tabby is 13 weeks old.

He has a short coat, weighs nearly 3 pounds and has been neutered.

Find him in cat room kennel No. 90b, ID No. 34511.

Male gray tabby

This male gray tabby is 1 year old.

He has a short coat and green eyes, and has been neutered.

He’s in cat room kennel No. 100, ID No. 34479.

Adoptable cats also can be seen at http://www.co.lake.ca.us/Government/Directory/Animal_Care_And_Control/Adopt/Cats_and_Kittens.htm or at www.petfinder.com .

Please note: Cats listed at the shelter's Web page that are said to be “on hold” are not yet cleared for adoption.

To fill out an adoption application online visit http://www.co.lake.ca.us/Government/Directory/Animal_Care_And_Control/Adopt/Dog___Cat_Adoption_Application.htm .

Lake County Animal Care and Control is located at 4949 Helbush in Lakeport, next to the Hill Road Correctional Facility.

Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., Saturday. The shelter is open from 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and on Saturday from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.

Visit the shelter online at http://www.co.lake.ca.us/Government/Directory/Animal_Care_And_Control.htm .

For more information call Lake County Animal Care and Control at 707-263-0278.

Email Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .