LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – In the two weeks since the Rocky fire started – followed a week and a half later by the Jerusalem fire – thousands of community members have been impacted by mandatory or advisory evacuation orders due to the close proximity of the wildland fires.

As they've fled the path of the fires, residents left with their pets and livestock, with many getting assistance from Lake County Animal Care and Control and its Lake Evacuation and Animal Protection, or LEAP, group.

LEAP was formed several years ago and operates under the auspices of Animal Care and Control. It includes a number of dedicated individuals who have trained for removing animals from disasters.

“They have been outstanding,” Animal Care and Control Director Bill Davidson said of the group.

Key LEAP members include Lynnette Bertelli, and her husband Greg, a Cal Fire battalion chief who has been on the front lines of both the Rocky and Jerusalem incidents. The Bertellis were instrumental in creating LEAP.

Another of the volunteers is Karen Schaver, founder of the animal rescue group Lake County Animal Services.

LEAP's first major incident was the 2012 Wye fire east of Clearlake Oaks, Davidson said, an incident that burned 7,934 acres over six days, less than a tenth of the acreage that's been burned by the two current wildfires.

The Rocky fire and Jerusalem fire have proved to be much more difficult and exhausting incidents.

Davidson said activity for his staff as far as animal evacuations and assistance had started to slow down around Monday, Aug. 3.

By that time, they'd already had a rough five days due to the Rocky fire, he said. “We got our butts kicked.”

At that point, they called the North Valley Animal Disaster Group out of Butte County, the organization that LEAP was formed to emulate.

That group showed up on Aug. 3 and were on scene for a week, offering assistance, he said.

Last weekend, it had looked like the situation was starting to clear. Then, the Jerusalem fire sprang up on Sunday afternoon and, like the Rocky, burned large amounts of acreage in its early days due to wind and dry conditions.

Davidson told Lake County News on Wednesday that during the course of both fires he and his staff have assisted with sheltering or moving about 400 animals out of harm's way.

Davidson and his staff reported the menagerie includes cats and dogs, pigs, goats, horses, ducks, donkeys, Alpacas and an Italian-speaking African gray parrot named Rupert.

Possibly the most exotic creatures of the group that Animal Care and Control assisted with housing was a group of five parrots – including Rupert – brought in from Clearlake on July 31, when animal control officers were still set up at a temporary location at Lake County Social Services in Lower Lake.

At that location, the birds were being kept in an air-conditioned part of the building so they were protected from the smoke.

When Sara Schramm – Animal Care and Control's facilities supervisor – and another female staffer put the birds away and wished them goodnight, they were greeted with a chorus of “Night night,” plus a wolf whistle.

Lynnette Bertelli also reported that LEAP had been contacted about the need to help lift a very heavy pet tortoise.

At one point, Animal Care and Control staffers and LEAP volunteers were staffing shifts around the clock at the animal evacuation center in Lower Lake.

“The first few days we were trying to help everybody with everything,” said Davidson.

After that, he said, it seemed like the whole county was on fire, and due to the growing need for space they moved to try to assist people without actually taking the animals to county facilities.

He said a lot of people came forward to offer space for evacuated animals on their properties, which allowed his staff to begin directing people to those local properties rather than the limited space at the shelter.

With large animals like horses and other livestock, Davidson said Animal Care and Control primarily assisted with transport to other locations.

Groups offering assistance in finding places for animals also sprang up on Facebook at about the same time, with new pages created.

The SPCA of Clear Lake also housed about 60 dogs that came from a kennel placed under evacuation, Davidson said. Those animals have since gone back to the kennel.

The parrots also have since gone home, as have many of the other animals, including a group of pigs whose owners dutifully came to Animal Care and Control in Lakeport every day to clean up after their animals and care for them, Davidson said.

“People have been really good about coming back and getting their animals,” he said.

More recently, due to the Jerusalem fire, Davidson said operations of the animal evacuation center have moved to Spruce Grove Storage, 11360 Spruce Grove Road. The facility is managed by Lynnette Bertelli.

So far, Davidson estimated that about 30 percent of those 400 animals still remain either at the shelter or other rescue locations, either because their homes aren't safe to return to or owners haven't retrieved them.

Some animals have had to be evacuated more than once, which was the case with three horses that had to be picked up on Tuesday night due to the Jerusalem fire. Davidson said the same animals had been removed from their home due to the Rocky fire.

The work has sometimes been dangerous for his staff, which is why sheriff's office personnel were escorting Animal Care and Control into evacuation areas while they picked up animals, Davidson said.

However, more recently Cal Fire gave Animal Care and Control its own agency escort. “We've been able to do so much more with a Cal Fire escort being assigned to us,” Davidson said, pointing out that it's also safer since deputies aren't trained in fire behavior.

Davidson said that on Wednesday his staff tried to evacuate animals in the area of Morgan Valley and Reiff Road, which had been placed under a mandatory evacuation order on Tuesday.

He said some residents in that area had refused to leave, but became scared on Wednesday due to the fire conditions and called for help to remove about 20 head of cattle plus several horses.

Two Animal Care and Control staffers, with pickups and trailers, went out into the area along Reiff Road with their Cal Fire escort on Wednesday to try to pickup up the animals, Davidson said.

The Cal Fire escort told the Animal Care and Control staffers that they had 45 minutes to load the animals. But Davidson said, “The animals were so freaked out we were having a hard time loading them.”

Ten minutes later, the Cal Fire staffer returned and told Davidson's staff to leave immediately.

At that point, they had only managed to load one frightened horse, which then backed out of the trailer. Davidson said they had to leave without any of the animals.

“The flames were literally coming up over the road as they were leaving,” said Davidson, adding that his staff members got out OK and were not hurt.

He shared a photo that one of the officers took of the flames along the road as they were leaving. The photo also was posted on Animal Care and Control's Facebook page.

While they are still helping as needed with evacuations, Davidson noted that he and his crew also are now starting to see more regular activity back at the shelter.

“Our population is starting to transition back into strays again rather than evacuated animals,” he said.

That is allowing LEAP volunteers to get a break and get back to their lives, and helping Animal Care and Control to transition back to normal operations, he said.

Once the fires are past, Davidson said there are plans to sit down and write out guidelines on what has, and hasn't, worked well during the emergency response to the fires in order to create the best plan possible for the future.

Anyone needing assistance or information about the animal evacuation services can 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. . Follow her on Twitter, @ERLarson, or Lake County News, @LakeCoNews.

LAKEPORT, Calif. – The Kiwanis Club of Lakeport took top honors at this year’s Grillin’ on the Green barbecue cook-off while the Lakeport Fire Department Volunteers earned “Best Decorated Booth” honors at the event, which benefits Westside Community Park.

The grilling team representing the city of Lakeport was runner-up in the cook-off; and in his second outing as a Grillin’ competitor, Adam Bruch led his team, The Bru Cru, to third place.

The winners were selected by people’s choice vote Saturday, Aug. 1, at the sixth annual fundraiser at Westside Community Park.

For the first time, the event also included awards from celebrity judges. Michelle Malm, food services director for the Kelseyville Unified School District, Dave Faries, managing editor of the Lake County Record-Bee, and Michael Lunas, a Lake County Superior Court judge, selected Kiwanis Club of Lakeport’s pork ribs as their favorite and awarded Rookie of the Year to Fresh & Bangin’ Eatery.

Organizers deemed this year’s event a success with over $17,000 in revenue from ticket and drink sales, sponsorships and donations.

More than 340 people attended the fundraiser and enjoyed tastes from 10 grilling teams, music by the LC Diamonds, kids’ activities, horse-drawn wagon rides and a show of classic and vintage cars.

Attendees also voted for their favorites among the 44 vintage vehicles on display, selecting a 1940 Studebaker owned by Gary Williamson as the top car and a 1957 Chevy sedan owned by Joe Colabella as “best make-out vehicle.”

"The Westside Community Park Committee appreciates the support of the community for this year's Grillin',” said Dennis Rollins, chair of the Westside Community Park Committee. “The grillers and other food providers, our sponsors, volunteers, the car clubs, the Horse Council, and the people who came out to enjoy the evening in the park all made for a highly successful event."

Cook-off teams this year included NorCal BBQ Team (formerly Smokin’ and Q’n), the Early Lake Lions, the Lakeport Lions, Main Street Softball Team and Beef Cake.

“Every year I am more impressed with the support of the community and the top-notch cook-off competition,” said Cindy Ustrud, chair of the event committee. “The food keeps getting better and better – the best barbecue anywhere. I can't thank the grillers enough for their enthusiasm and generosity.”

Competing teams and their sponsors supply the food and volunteer their time and services to the fundraiser.

Attendees were treated to additional dishes to complement the barbecue tastes.

Salads, beans, desserts and beverages were provided by Lakeview Market, the Lakeport English Inn, the Kelseyville Unified School District, and Lake Event Design.

Snow cones were available from Marta and Domingo Avillea.

Several attendees took advantage of free horse-drawn wagon rides sponsored by the Lake County Horse Council and provided by Andre and Ellen Boersma of Scotts Valley.

"The wagon rides were well received,” said Rollins. “Dozens of people took the guided tour of the future equestrian area. The committee thanks the Boesmas and the Lake County Horse Council for providing this new addition to Grillin'."

Rollins recognized this year’s major sponsors: the Keeling-Barnes Family Foundation, which pledged matching funds up to $5,000, Sutter Lakeside Hospital, Ruzicka Associates, the Ustrud-Rollins Family and Lake Event Design.

Additional sponsors this year were Clearlake Redi-Mix; Dr. Brian Grey, DDS, MDS; Dr. Alexander McGeoch, DDS; Savings Bank of Mendocino County; Guy Strohmeier’s Auto Center; Kathy Fowler Auto Center; Susie LaPointe; Margaret Silveira; Mendo Lake Credit Union; Peggy Campbell, CPA; William C. Kranz, attorney at law; Polestar Computers; Lake Parts/Napa Auto Parts; Debi Freeland, certified massage practitioner; and Jim and Alice Holmes.

In-kind contributions were made by Lake County News, KNTI radio, Lake Publishing and the Lake County Record-Bee, S2 Tutoring & PR, Lakeport Cinema 5, Wildhurst Vineyards, Kelseyville Unified School District and Kelseyville High School, Disney’s Awards & Trophies, RAHamilton, UCC Rental Center and Nancy Ruzicka.

Rollins also thanked the Grillin’ on the Green committee of volunteers: Ustrud, Wilda Shock, Beth Havrilla, Alice Holmes, Sue Stout, Tami Cramer, Val Schweifler and Jessica Kelley, Cathy Brennan and Mary Ann Larrea.

Westside Community Park is a city of Lakeport recreational facility that has been in development since 1998.

The nonprofit park committee is developing the park in conjunction with the city of Lakeport, volunteers, and numerous contributions by individuals and businesses dedicated to constructing a recreational facility for the youth and adults of Lake County.

More information can be found on the park’s Web site, www.westsidecommunitypark.org .

CLEARLAKE, Calif. – Work on Habitat for Humanity Lake County’s 19th home, located in Clearlake, is under way.

Joe and Amber O'Keefe and their children are looking forward to taking up residence in the home when it's completed.

The O’Keefe family had not dared to dream that owning a home would be possible in Lake County’s depressed economy, but the desire for a safe, stable, affordable place to raise their three children – Jordan, Judah and Zoey – has always been foremost in their minds.

When the opportunity to apply for Habitat’s Homeownership program arose, they decided to take a shot.
 
“There are so many in Lake County who cannot afford to buy a home,” Joe O'Keefe said. “Habitat’s program is the chance of a lifetime and I’m super excited about this opportunity for my family.”
 
“We are blessed and lucky to have this chance,” added Amber O'Keefe. “It’s amazing that such an opportunity exists for families in Lake County.”
 
Construction on house number 20 is expected to begin soon, and the organization said the community's assistance is needed.

In order to provide homeownership opportunities to low-income county residents, Habitat for Humanity Lake County relies on donations and volunteers.

If you would like to volunteer at the build site and help provide this family and their children with a new home, would like to volunteer in some other capacity or if you are interested in providing lunches for the volunteers, call the Habitat for Humanity office at 707-994-1100 or stop by the office at 16285 A Main St. in Lower Lake.

If you have lived in Lake County for at least one year and are interested in the homeownership program, you are encouraged to contact the office for further information.

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Fire officials said the Jerusalem fire is continuing its spread through wildland although containment has risen, while to the north the effort to fully contain the Rocky fire took another step forward on Wednesday.

Cal Fire said early Wednesday night that the Jerusalem fire's size was up to 20,500 acres, a growth of 4,000 acres during the course of the day, while containment nearly tripled to 16 percent.

The Jerusalem fire, which began Sunday afternoon in the Jerusalem Valley area northeast of Middletown is still expected to be contained fully by Aug. 17, Cal Fire said.

Meanwhile, on the 69,636-acre Rocky fire to the north, which began burning July 29 to the east of Lower Lake and later ran north of Highway 20 east of Clearlake Oaks, containment rose to 95 percent by Wednesday evening, according to Cal Fire.

Cal Fire had expected to fully contain the Rocky incident by Thursday, but has now pushed the estimated date for full containment to Saturday.

Fire maps Cal Fire issued on Wednesday morning showed that several areas of the Jerusalem fire have burned up against – or into – the Rocky fire's southern perimeter.

Cal Fire spokesman Scott McLean also confirmed on Wednesday evening to Lake County News that the fire, which had crossed into Napa County earlier this week, has now moved just inside the borders of Yolo County.

Officials said the fire continues to burn into remote, difficult-to-access areas with dense vegetation and a lack of improved roads, with the added complications of winds that continue to be erratic.

Cal Fire officials said the winds continue to push the Jerusalem fire to the east and away from heavily populated areas.

However, Cal Fire spokesman Daniel Berlant said in a Wednesday report that winds during the day had died down on the Jerusalem fire and allowed firefighters to make progress, adding that the Rocky fire has acted as a containment line on the Jerusalem fire.

Cal Fire said 50 structures remain threatened by the Jerusalem fire, with radio reports indicating that firefighters on the ground and in the air continued their efforts to protect residences and outbuildings throughout the day.

Scanner traffic earlier in the afternoon and evening reported that a large fire ball had gone up from an area near a metal building that was surrounded by vehicles in the Jerusalem fire burn area, causing air attack to avoid the location.

McLean told Lake County News that the explosion – which was in an area north of Oat Hill and west of Berryessa Knoxville Road – could have come from a propane bottle or one of the older, broken down vehicles near the building, which he said wasn't damaged.

All mandatory and advisory evacuation orders remain in place on the Jerusalem fire, officials said. The full list of impacted areas is found at http://cdfdata.fire.ca.gov/incidents/incidents_details_info?incident_id=1193 .

An evacuation shelter is open at Kelseyville High School, telephone 415-307-4503, officials said.

An animal evacuation center is staged at Spruce Grove Storage, 11360 Spruce Grove Road, in Lower Lake, according to Lake County Animal Care and Control Director Bill Davidson. That center can be reached by phone at 707-263-0278.

Authorities said continuing road closures are in effect at Jerusalem Valley Road at Spruce Grove Road, Morgan Valley Road from Reiff Road southeast to Napa County line, Reiff Road from Morgan Valley east to Yolo County line and Berryessa Knoxville Road from Lake Berryessa north.

Resources on the Jerusalem fire increased again on Wednesday, with assigned personnel totaling 2,053, plus 140 engines, 57 hand crews, 28 dozers, 21 water tenders, 15 helicopters and four air tankers, Cal Fire said.

Spot fires were reported in the Jerusalem Grade Road area, inside an area that has already burned, on Wednesday evening, based on radio traffic.

Radio reports from the scene indicated air operations ceased for the day just after 8 p.m. At about the same time, firefighters were reported to be wrapping up a phase of firing operations.

Drift smoke from the Jerusalem fire was continuing to result in smoke checks for firefighters in the area of the Double Eagle Ranch east of Clearlake Oaks, which is within the Rocky fire area, according to reports from the scene.

Cal Fire said there are still 361 firefighters assigned to the Rocky fire, along with 24 engines, 14 dozers, eight water tenders, six hand crews and two helicopters.

Firefighters in the Rocky fire boundaries are continuing to actively patrol and work on mop up, dealing with what Cal Fire reported are isolated pockets of smoldering fuel deep within the interior of the burn with minimal fire activity near the perimeter.

Overnight radio traffic had reported the discovery of a burning tree along Highway 20 in the Rocky fire area.

As the Rocky fire nears final containment, mop up of hot spots and patrolling of fire lines is set to continue for several days, Cal Fire said, while fire crews also continue with making repairs to fire suppression areas.

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. – The Lake County Sheriff's Office on Tuesday evening issued a new mandatory evacuation order due to the movement and growth of the Jerusalem fire.

Cal Fire said the fire had reached 14,000 acres and 5-percent containment early Tuesday evening.

Lt. Steve Brooks of the Lake County Sheriff's Office said the fire is currently moving in a northern direction. 

As a result of the fire's growth and movement, Brooks said a mandatory evacuation order has been implemented for all residents in the following areas:

– Morgan Valley Road from the Rocky Fire burn area, which is near the Reiff Road intersection, east to the Napa County line;
– Reiff Road from the Morgan Valley Road intersection east to the Yolo County line. 

In addition, Brooks said Morgan Valley Road will remain closed east of the intersection of Reiff Road to the Napa County line, and Reiff Road will be closed east of the intersection of Morgan Valley Road to the Napa County line.

Residents should gather their medications, pets, and important papers and are advised to leave the area immediately. Brooks said.

If needed, Brooks said residents may seek shelter at the Middletown High School, 20932 Big Canyon Road.

Mandatory evacuations already are in place for the Jerusalem Valley area east of Spruce Grove.

That area includes Tinilyn Road, Nicholas Way, Jaclyn Road, June Bug Drive, Jerusalem Grade, Jerusalem Valley Road, Jerusalem Road, W Jerusalem Road, Canyon Road, Coon Flat Road and Daly Place.

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Redwood Credit Union is assisting with relief efforts for the recent major fires causing damage in Lake County.

RCU is now accepting contributions to assist the Lake County community with relief efforts for those impacted by the Rocky fire and the Jerusalem fire.

Anyone is welcome to make a donation at any of the credit union’s 16 Bay Area branch locations, or by calling RCU’s Member Service Center at 800-479-7928, option 5, ext. 65491. Details are available at www.redwoodcu.org/firerelief .

Contributions to the fund may be made at any RCU location via cash deposit, direct funds transfer or check payable to Redwood Credit Union.

All contributions will be distributed to nonprofit agencies and first-responders in the Lake County community to assist with Lake County fire relief efforts.

“Our hearts go out to everyone affected by the fires in Lake County,” said Brett Martinez, RCU’s president and chief executive officer. “Accepting contributions for fire relief efforts is our way of offering assistance, and responding to the requests of our Members and others in our community who would like to help.”

To find the nearest RCU branch, visit http://www.redwoodcu.org/locations or call 800-479-7928.

Mendo Lake Credit Union and North Coast Opportunities also are accepting fire relief donations.

Information and links on where to donate online is available on their respective Web sites, www.mlcu.org and www.ncoinc.org/ .

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – The Lake County Emergency Operation Center (EOC) is still activated and available to assist victims of the Rocky / Jerusalem fires, officials said Wednesday.

Lake County Emergency Operation Center coordinates with county, municipal, state and federal agencies to provide protection to lives and property from natural and manmade disasters.

The Lake County EOC was activated on July 29, 2015 shortly after the Rocky fire began.

Lake County Office of Emergency Services Manager Marisa Chilafoe thanked all county staff, and partnering and mutual aid agencies for their help in staffing the Lake Emergency Operations Center.

“Though we are pleased with the progress the EOC made on the Rocky fire, our work is not done, Chilafoe said. “Lake County Office of Emergency Services will remain vigilant on the Jerusalem fire and will be prepared to handle other Lake County emergencies as needed.”

Chilafoe also says, “The Lake County Office of Education has been instrumental in our partnership to serve the community and those affected by the fires.”

On the Rocky fire, the Lake County Emergency Operation Center is moving into the recovery phase.  The EOC provides assistance to the community while recovering from an emergency and helping residents and businesses return to a normal life as soon as possible.

Lake County opened a Local Assistance Center (LakeLAC) at 14092 Lakeshore Drive in Clearlake on Monday morning, Aug. 10. The hours of operation are 8 a.m. until 7 p.m. The LakeLAC will close Wednesday, Aug. 12, at 7 p.m.

The LakeLAC is intended to assist residents and business owners with access to recovery information and to connect with available resources, including numerous state and local agencies and many non-profits.

With regard to the Jerusalem fire, the Lake County Emergency Operation Center is continuing to provide care and shelter for those displaced by the Jerusalem fire.

The American Red Cross transitioned out of the Middletown shelter and opened shelter at Kelseyville High School on Wednesday, Aug. 12, at noon.

Chilafoe also acknowledges the work of Lake County law enforcement. “Thank you to Sheriff Brian Martin for his leadership and phenomenal job with the evacuation efforts during this unpredictable situation. He and his deputies rose to the challenge.”

For help in dealing with the Rocky Fire and Jerusalem Fire, please call the Rocky Fire Help Line at 1 (800) 325-9604 or go to www.LakeCountyLAC.com .

Updated information is also frequently shared on the Lake County OES Facebook and Twitter pages.

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – The acreage of the Jerusalem fire doubled overnight as it continued to burn through remote and difficult terrain, while firefighters pushed the nearby Rocky fire closer to full containment.

The Jerusalem fire, which began burning Sunday afternoon in the Jerusalem Valley area northeast of Middletown, had reached 12,000 acres by Tuesday morning, with no containment yet achieved, according to Cal Fire.

Fifty structures remain threatened, with none destroyed or damaged so far, Cal Fire said.

Authorities have implemented some mandatory and advisory evacuations, and an evacuation shelter at Middletown High School remains open. The full list of evacuation orders and advisories is at http://cdfdata.fire.ca.gov/incidents/incidents_details_info?incident_id=1193 .

On the Rocky fire, located to the north and burning since July 29, firefighters edged containment up on that 69,636-acre blaze to 88 percent overnight, Cal Fire said.

Approximately 1,344 personnel continue to work in the footprint of the massive Rocky incident, with crews dealing overnight with flare ups and continuing to try to gain access to some parts of the fire located in rugged country, Cal Fire said.

Still committed to the Rocky fire are 45 engines, 36 hand crews, 10 helicopters, six dozers and two helicopters, Cal Fire said Tuesday morning, with numerous resources from the incident having already been deployed to the Jerusalem fire or one of the other wildland fires burning elsewhere in the state.

While the Jerusalem fire saw 6,000 acres of growth since Monday evening, Cal Fire said burning conditions actually slowed overnight due to an increase in relative humidity – which radio reports indicated was in the mid 50-percent range – and cooler temperatures.

At the same time, however, crews have had to deal with the same kinds of erratic winds that fanned the Rocky fire, and which are promoting what Cal Fire said are high intensity runs on the Jerusalem incident, with short range spotting.

Resources committed to the Jerusalem fire on Tuesday morning included 1,1,22 personnel, 32 engines, 32 hand crews, 23 dozers, 18 water tenders and 17 helicopters, Cal Fire said.

Firefighters on the lines of both incidents Tuesday should be aided by slightly cooler temperatures, with the National Weather Service forecasting highs in the mid-80s and milder conditions overall through mid-week thanks to a low pressure system moving through the region. However, north northwest winds of up to 9 miles per hour are predicted.

Cal Fire estimates the Rocky fire will be fully contained on Thursday, and the Jerusalem fire will be fully contained on Aug. 17.

The causes of both fires remain under investigation, authorities said.

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.

Moonlight is ethereal, enchanting, romantic. For many sky watchers, nothing beats the luminous beauty of a full Moon.

It’s great … except during a meteor shower. When Earth passes through a stream of comet dust, all that romantic moonlight turns into a nuisance, overwhelming the fainter display of shooting stars.

Now for the good news: The 2015 Perseid meteor shower is here, and the Moon will be dark when it peaks.

This week, Earth passes through a stream of debris from Comet Swift-Tuttle, source of the annual Perseid meteor shower. Forecasters say the show could be especially good this year because the Moon is nearly new when the shower peaks on Aug. 12 to 13.

“This year’s Perseid meteor shower peaks on Aug. 12 and 13,” said Bill Cooke of NASA’s Meteoroid Environment Office. “The Moon will be nearly new, setting the stage for a great display.”

The Perseid meteor shower is caused by debris from Comet Swift-Tuttle. Every 133 years the huge comet swings through the inner solar system and ejects a trail of dust and gravel along its orbit.

When Earth passes through the debris, specks of comet-stuff hit the atmosphere at 140,000 miles per hour and disintegrate in flashes of light.

Swift-Tuttle's debris zone is so wide that Earth spends weeks inside it. Indeed, it is not unusual for sky watchers to see a few Perseids streaking across the midnight sky as early as July.

Rates are highest, however, in August when Earth passes through the heart of the debris zone.

Last year, the Perseid meteor shower peaked during the nights around a bright “supermoon.”

Lunar glare reduced the visibility of the Perseids as much as fivefold to as few as 20 per hour. This year however, is different.

Under a clear, dark sky far from city lights, “We expect meteor rates as high as 100 per hour on peak night,” said Cooke.

Meteors from Comet Swift-Tuttle are called Perseids because they seem to fly out of the constellation Perseus.

This arrangement of stars, which represents an ancient hero from Greek mythology, rises in the northeast around 10 p.m. local time. As Perseus rises and the night deepens, meteor rates will increase.

The best time to look starts around midnight. Meteors will be seen until dawn brightens the sky on Thursday morning, Aug. 13, when Perseus is near its highest point in the sky.

For best results, get away from city lights. The darkness of the countryside multiplies the visible meteor rate three- to 10-fold compared to city views. Many families plan camping trips to coincide with the Perseids.

The Milky Way arching over a mountain campground provides the perfect backdrop for a meteor shower.

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Wednesday morning Cal Fire reports that containment of the Jerusalem fire has edged up slightly while the fire continues to grow.

An additional 2,500 acres were consumed by the fire overnight bringing the total to 16,500 acres. Containment for the Jerusalem fire has risen to six percent, according to Cal Fire.

No structures are confirmed burned at this point though Cal Fire reports that 50 structures are threatened. 

On Tuesday evening, because of the fire's movement and continued growth, the Lake County Sheriff's Office issued new mandatory evacuations for all residents along Morgan Valley Road from the Rocky Fire burn area, which is near the Reiff Road intersection, east to the Napa County line, and for Reiff Road from the Morgan Valley Road intersection east to the Yolo County line, as Lake County News has reported.

Previously placed under mandatory evacuation was the Jerusalem Valley area east of Spruce Grove, including Tinilyn Road, Nicholas Way, Jaclyn Road, June Bug Drive, Jerusalem Grade, Jerusalem Valley Road, Jerusalem Road, W Jerusalem Road, Canyon Road, Coon Flat Road and Daly Place.

Officials said advisory evacuations remain in effect for Grange Road from Luchetti Ranch Road east to Bucksnort Creek, and Butts Canyon Road from Bucksnort Creek east to the Napa County line.

Altogether, Cal Fire said 50 structures remain threatened, but none have been burned or damaged thus far, with reports from the fire lines indicating firefighters have been working on structure protection.

Evacuees are being directed to Middletown High School, 20932 Big Canyon Road, where a Red Cross evacuation shelter remains open, telephone 415-971-0797.

The Lake County Office of Emergency Services reported that the Red Cross will close the Middletown shelter at noon on Wednesday and reopen the shelter at Kelseyville High School, 5480 Main St. That shelter can be reached at 415-307-4503.

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Firefighters continued their efforts overnight to fully contain both the Rocky and Jerusalem fires.

As of Monday night, the Rocky fire remained at 69,636 acres and 85-percent containment, with the Jerusalem fire at 6,000 acres with no estimated containment, according to Cal Fire.

Cal Fire said it anticipates having the Rocky fire – which began on July 29 – fully contained on Thursday.

Estimated containment on the Jerusalem fire, which began on Sunday afternoon in the Jerusalem Valley area northeast of Middletown, is expected on Aug. 17, Cal Fire said.

Still assigned to the Rocky fire on Monday night were resources including 1,344 personnel, 45 engines, 36 fire crews, 10 water tenders, six dozers and two helicopters, according to Cal Fire.

The agency said firefighters were quickly demobilized from the Rocky fire to the new Jerusalem fire, which is burning south of the Rocky fire perimeter.

The Jerusalem fire's quick growth resulted in mandatory evacuations for the Jerusalem Valley area east of Spruce Grove beginning on Sunday, with advisory evacuations issued on Monday, as Lake County News has reported. The full list of evacuations and advisories is at http://cdfdata.fire.ca.gov/incidents/incidents_details_info?incident_id=1193 .

Altogether, the fire is threatening 50 structures, Cal Fire said. An evacuation shelter remains open at Middletown High School.

By Monday night, the Jerusalem fire had nearly as many resources committed to it, with Cal Fire reporting that 1,122 personnel, 83 fire engines, 32 fire crews, 23 dozers, 18 water tenders and 17 helicopters were assigned.

Radio reports indicated that throughout the night new fire crews and resources were continuing to arrive to work on the Jerusalem fire.

Firefighters were reported to be working on structure defense in areas along Morgan Valley Road and in Jericho Valley, according to reports from the scene.

Erratic winds were proving a challenge for firefighters overnight. Cal Fire said the winds were contributing to the increased fire activity and promoting high intensity runs with short range spotting.

Overnight, firefighters were reporting wind speeds of about 10 to 15 miles per hour on ridge tops, with winds coming from the west northwest. Scanner reports early Tuesday morning indicated higher humidity and dropping wind speeds, which later were anticipated to pick up again, with a change in wind direction to north northwest.

While the Rocky incident is nearing full containment, Cal Fire warned that several small flare ups may still be seen within the fire's interior.

That was the case late Monday and early Tuesday, when firefighters received reports of a flare up along Highway 16, based on radio reports.

Firefighters investigating the reports stated over the air that they found a burning log about six miles from the Cal Fire Wilbur Springs fire station on Highway 16.

At one point on Monday evening, radio reports indicated that a search was on for four hunters near the fire areas. The hunters later were safely found.

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. – On Monday afternoon Cal Fire reported that the size of the Jerusalem fire remains unchanged.

"We're still calling it 5,000 acres," said Cal Fire spokesman Steve Swindle.

About 50 homes are threatened, he said, but so far none have been destroyed as the fire moves in an erratic easterly direction.

The fire is straying north toward the footprint of the Rocky fire and as far as approximately one mile south of Jerusalem Grade.

The fire is "blowing up quite a bit of smoke," resulting in a high volume of phone calls from Hidden Valley Lake, Swindle said. But, he added, "The fire has moved away from them," and "there is no evacuation advisory" for Hidden Valley Lake.

According to Cal Fire, mandatory evacuations remain in place for the Jerusalem Valley area east of Spruce Grove.

Jerusalem Valley Road is closed to all traffic at Spruce Grove Road due to Fire personnel and emergency vehicles working in the area.

Swindle cautioned that having an escape plan in place is the appropriate course of action due to the erratic nature of the wind. "Be prepared; don't sit and wait, have a plan."

Swindle recommended residents visit http://www.readyforwildfire.org/ and view the youtube video “Ready Set Go” at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dcf8FRAqUww to aid in preparations should conditions change.

An evacuation center is located at the Middletown High School and it can be contacted by telephone at 415-307-4503.  

Crews are working aggressively to construct fire line and sustain perimeter control. Expect fire behavior to increase when prime burning conditions are present in the afternoon. Residents are urged to remain vigilant and and adhere to any changes in evacuation and road closures, Cal Fire advised.

Cal Fire has "pulled a lot of assets off Rocky to combat" the Jerusalem fire, Swindle said, which now has approximately 550 personnel on it.

Cooperating agencies on the Jerusalem fire include Cal Fire, Lake County Sheriff, Lake County Fire Resources, California National Guard, CDCR, CHP, USFSand BLM.  

The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

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