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Following the signing of California’s statewide tenant protection measure, Gov. Gavin Newsom on Wednesday announced the launch of the “Housing is Key” campaign aimed at connecting renters and landlords experiencing economic hardship due to COVID-19 with helpful information and resources.

The campaign will be run by the Business, Consumer Services and Housing Agency, or BCSH, and kicks off with a new website and social media ads targeting vulnerable communities.

“Struggling tenants and landlords now have new protections and relief under the law – and it’s critical that all Californians learn their rights,” said Gov. Newsom. “It’s important that we reach renters across the state who might be one paycheck away from losing their homes and landlords who are short on their mortgages because of owed rent. Housing is Key will begin the public education campaign that will ramp up in the weeks to come and target vulnerable communities who have been hit the hardest by this pandemic.”

On Monday, Gov. Newsom signed AB 3088 to protect millions of tenants from eviction and property owners from foreclosure due to the economic impacts of COVID-19. These protections apply to tenants who declare an inability to pay all or part of the rent due to a COVID-related reason.

“Having a home is fundamental to all that we do,” said BCSH Secretary Lourdes Castro Ramírez. “During this pandemic and continued economic crisis it is more important than ever to provide people with the accurate, up-to-date information they need to connect to resources to stay housed or to access safe, stable, affordable housing.”

Tenants and landlords can learn more about the new Tenant, Homeowner and Small Landlord Relief and Stabilization Act of 2020 by visiting www.COVID19.ca.gov or going directly to www.HousingIsKey.com.

Later this week, BCSH will also launch a mobile and web-based app, available on the website, to help landlords and tenants. It will include a personalized, downloadable report that explains what protections or obligations apply under the new law by answering a few questions. The campaign will include targeted social media ads and digital materials in multiple languages to be rolled out in the coming weeks.

Under the new law, no tenant can be evicted before Feb. 1, 2021, as a result of rent owed due to a COVID-19 related hardship accrued between March 4 and Aug. 31, 2020, if the tenant provides a declaration of hardship according to the legislation’s timelines.

For a COVID-19-related hardship that accrues between Sept. 1, 2020, to Jan. 31, 2021, tenants must also pay at least 25 percent of the rent due to avoid eviction after Feb. 1, 2021, for the unpaid rent.

Tenants are still responsible for paying unpaid amounts to landlords, but those unpaid amounts cannot be the basis for an eviction. Landlords may begin to recover this debt on March 1, 2021, and small claims court jurisdiction is temporarily expanded to allow landlords to recover these amounts. Landlords who do not follow the court evictions process will face increased penalties under the Act.

The legislation also extends anti-foreclosure protections in the Homeowner Bill of Rights to small landlords; provides new accountability and transparency provisions to protect small landlord borrowers who request CARES-compliant forbearance; and provides the borrower who is harmed by a material violation with a cause of action.

Additional resources are on the way for struggling homeowners and renters.

Gov. Newsom and the Legislature made available $331 million from the National Mortgage Settlement for housing counseling, mortgage assistance and renter legal aid services.

A housing counseling program administered by the California Housing Finance Agency will launch this fall and mortgage assistance will be available to help distressed households next year.

The $31 million for renter legal aid services will be distributed by the Judicial Council to qualified legal aid organizations in the coming months.
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California Highway Patrol Commissioner Warren Stanley. Photo courtesy of the CHP.

California Highway Patrol Commissioner Warren Stanley has spent nearly four decades advocating for highway safety in California.

His unwavering commitment to public service and dedication to CHP employees caught the attention of the American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators, or AAMVA, which on Tuesday rewarded his efforts with the AAMVA Lifetime Achievement Award in Highway Safety – Law Enforcement.

The award is presented annually to an AAMVA member whose primary function is directly associated with highway and traffic safety efforts and who has had a distinguished career in this arena.

“My entire career has been fueled by a passion for safety,” said Commissioner Stanley. “I am fortunate to be able to work alongside so many others who have demonstrated a lifelong commitment to reducing traffic fatalities and injuries on our roadways. This honor would not be possible without their dedication and shared vision.”

As a dedicated member of the law enforcement community, Commissioner Stanley has served the people of California for more than 37 years.

In 2018, Stanley became the first African American to hold the rank of CHP Commissioner. He is also one of the distinguished few to have held every uniformed position from officer to Commissioner within the CHP.

“This is hard work, but it is exceptionally important and incredibly rewarding,” added Commissioner Stanley.

Winners of this, and other awards, are traditionally recognized at AAMVA’s International Conference in August of every year. Due to COVID-19 and travel restrictions, AAMVA cancelled its 2020 conference. Previous recipients of the distinguished honor from AAMVA include former CHP Commissioners Dwight O. Helmick (2004) and Joe Farrow (2011).

The mission of the CHP is to provide the highest level of safety, service and security.
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This story is being updated on an ongoing basis.

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Firefighters are at the scene of a wildland fire burning along Highway 20 just east of Clearlake Oaks, with the incident prompting evacuations in the area.

The fire was first dispatched just before 4 p.m. Tuesday on Highway 20 at Catholic Church Road.

The first unit on scene reported that the fire was burning on both sides of the road and running at a high rate of speed up the hill into timber. Wind is reported to be hitting the fire.

Incident command called for the evacuation of Morine Ranch Road just before 4:15 p.m.

Minutes later, incident command asked for Highway 20 to be closed at Sulphur Bank Road and at the Highway 53 intersection.

Dozers are being brought in off of Morine Ranch Road and through the nearby Clearlake Lava quarry, with a task force also responding.

Cal Fire, Lake County Fire and Northshore Fire are being joined by units from the LNU Lightning Complex, with Cal Fire Copter 901 and air attack also on scene, based on radio resources.

Air attack reported that it cannot see long-range spotting on the fire.

Just before 4:30 p.m., incident command asked for law enforcement to be expedited, as they need to evacuate the Highway 20 corridor from Clearlake Lave down to Sulphur Bank Road. A lot of vehicle traffic is building up in that area.

Incident command estimated the fire to be between 10 and 15 acres just after 4:30 p.m.

Radio traffic indicated the helicopter is conducting water drops on the fire.

Just before 6:15 p.m., the sheriff's office reported evacuations were lifted for Morine Ranch Road.

As of 7:10 p.m., the California Highway Patrol said Highway 20 was open to one-way traffic between Sulphur Bank Road and Highway 53.

Additional information will be published as it becomes available.

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.
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LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – A Clearlake woman died Tuesday morning after she was involved in a head-on crash on Highway 53 near Clearlake while trying to pass another vehicle.

The name of the 41-year-old woman has not yet been released by officials pending notification of family.

Two other drivers – husband and wife Jesus R. Valdes, 53, of Novato and Elisha Valdes, 49, of Clearlake Oaks, who were in separate cars – also were injured in the wreck, the California Highway Patrol’s Clear Lake Area office reported.

The CHP said that at 9:15 a.m. Tuesday, the Clearlake woman was driving her 2005 Mercedes ML350 northbound on Highway 53, north of Ogulin Canyon Road, at approximately 70 miles per hour.

The CHP said the Mercedes driver crossed a broken yellow center line, entering into the southbound lane, and was passing a large vehicle when she collided head-on with a 2016 Toyota Camry driven by Jesus Valdes, who was traveling southbound on Highway 53.

Elisha Valdes was following her husband in her 2015 Nissan Altima. The CHP said her vehicle collided with the driver's side of her husband’s Toyota.

All three vehicles sustained major damage due to the collision and were disabled in the roadway, causing Highway 53 to be closed for several hours in both directions, the CHP said.

The CHP said the Lake County Sheriff's Office, Caltrans, the Lake County Fire Protection District and Clearlake Police Department responded to the scene to assist.

The CHP said the driver of the Mercedes was not wearing her seat belt and died of her injuries at the scene.

Jesus Valdes suffered major injuries and was transported to Kaiser Permanente Vacaville Medical Center for treatment, while Elisha Valdes had minor injuries and was transported to Adventist Health Clear Lake, the CHP said. Both Jesus and Elisha Valdes were wearing their seat belts.

At this time, drugs or alcohol are not suspected to be a factor in this collision, the CHP 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.
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NORTHERN CALIFORNIA – US Forest Service officials will hold a virtual meeting to update the community on the work to contain the August Complex on the Mendocino National Forest.

The meeting will take place at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 2.

It will be live-streamed on the Mendocino National Forest Facebook Page.

People also can join the meeting by phone at 888-844-9904, passcode 3096536#.

For general questions about the August Complex, people are invited to email the incident management team at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call 530-487-4602.
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NORTHERN CALIFORNIA – US Forest Service officials on Tuesday afternoon released new information about the death of a firefighter that occurred on the August Complex on the Mendocino National Forest.

Forest officials said three firefighters were involved in a vehicle crash on the Tatham fire within the complex on Monday.

One firefighter died, a second was receiving attention for burns to their hand and arm, while the third firefighter involved received no injuries, forest officials reported.

"This was a tragic incident and our hearts go out to the family, friends and colleagues of the fallen firefighter," said Acting Forest Supervisor Sandra Moore. "Right now we are committed to providing support to those involved, while safely continuing firefighting operations.”

Forest Service officials, Federal Southern Area Blue Team Incident Management and Cal Fire Incident Management Team 4 are working to support the families, who have been notified, officials said.

The California Highway Patrol is currently leading the investigation. Forest Service officials said more details will be made available as they are confirmed.

The August Complex, burning since Aug. 17 and caused by thunderstorms, has burned 242,941 acres and is 20-percent contained, officials said Tuesday afternoon.

The Tatham fire, the portion of the complex where the firefighter’s death occurred, is 15,594 acres and burning in southwest Tehama County.

Approximately 690 personnel are assigned to the complex, the Forest Service 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.
The August Complex as mapped on Tuesday, September 1, 2020. Map courtesy of the US Forest Service.
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The LNU Lightning Complex as mapped by Cal Fire on Wednesday, September 2, 2020.

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Firefighters spent Tuesday continuing to strengthen containment lines and hold the LNU Lightning Complex to no new acreage.

Cal Fire said the 375,209-acre complex, burning for more than two weeks, rose to 74-percent containment on Tuesday evening. Its acreage has remained unchanged since Monday.

Within the complex, the 317,909-acre Hennessey fire, which has burned across five counties – Colusa, Lake, Napa, Solano and Yolo – is up to 70 percent containment, according to Cal Fire’s Tuesday night report.

On the Sonoma County side of the complex, the 54,940-acre Walbridge fire west of Healdsburg is up to 70 percent containment, while on Tuesday firefighters fully contained the Meyers fire north of Jenner at 2,360 acres, Cal Fire reported.

Total personnel assigned on Tuesday night included 2,539 personnel, 237 engines, 55 water tenders, 19 helicopters, 46 hand crews and 58 dozers.

Cal Fire said crews on Tuesday worked to bolster containment lines and mop up the fire perimeter.

Firefighters were to continue active patrol overnight, taking advantage of cooler night-time temperatures to build additional containment lines. Cal Fire said dry conditions and hotter weather will continue throughout the week.

Fire suppression repair teams remain active throughout the area repairing damage caused by fire suppression activities, Cal Fire said.

Officials said the number of threatened structures on Tuesday was reduced to 3,375.

Continuing damage assessments led to Cal Fire updating the number of destroyed structures to 1,449 and the structures damaged to 227. Lake County’s total – nine structures destroyed – remained unchanged.

Improving conditions led to more repopulations of communities across the complex on Tuesday.

In Lake County, some evacuation orders on Tuesday were reduced to warnings and some warnings lifted in the south county.

Those remaining in effect as of Tuesday night included the following:

– Evacuation order: East of Middletown area, including east of Highway 29 and north of the Lake-Napa County line up to the intersection of Highway 29 and West Road, and south of Butts Canyon Road at Callayomi Road.

Evacuation warnings are as follows:

– North of Lower Lake area: Including north of Morgan Valley Road, east of the intersection of Morgan Valley Road and Sky High Ridge Road, south of Highway 20, west of the Lake/Colusa/Yolo County lines.

– South of the Lower Lake area: South of Morgan Valley Road, east of Chimney Rock/Canyon Road, north of Jerusalem Grade Road Extending to Lake/Napa County line, west of the Lake/Napa County line.

– Middletown area: East of Guenoc Winery Road, north of Butts Canyon Road, south of Grange Road, west of Lake/Napa County line.

– Middletown area: South of Butts Canyon Road to Cailayomi Road, east of St. Helena Creek Road, north of Highway 29, west of Cailayomi Road extending to Western Mine Road.

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.








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Israeli firefighters have arrived to support California’s firefighter efforts. Photo courtesy of the California Governor's Office of Emergency Services.

In response to a request from the California Governor's Office of Emergency Services, a team of 10 Israeli firefighters has deployed to California to assist in battling some of the largest wildfires in the state's history.

Though other countries have supported California – including Australia and New Zealand on the Mendocino Complex fire in 2018 – this is the first time Israelis have been assigned to fight fires in the United States. The deployment is expected for two weeks.

The Israeli crews arrived in Sacramento over the weekend and will be assigned to wildfires burning throughout Northern California.

The SCU Lightning Complex, the second-largest wildfire in state history, has consumed 391,150 acres and is 72-percent contained, while the LNU Lightning Complex, the third-largest, has burned 375,209 acres and is 74-percent contained.
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NORTHERN CALIFORNIA – One firefighter has died and another was injured while working on the August Complex in the Mendocino National Forest.

Late Monday night, the US Forest Service confirmed the death of the firefighter in an incident that occurred earlier in the day.

A second firefighter is receiving medical attention, the Forest Service said.

Additional details – including information about where on the forest the incident had occurred – were not immediately available, according to Forest Service spokesman Michael R. Williams.

“We are still gathering details and will release additional information as it becomes available,” Williams told Lake County News.

The complex, burning since Aug. 17 in remote portions of the forest, grew to 236,288 acres on Monday afternoon, with containment at 20 percent.

The largest fires in the complex, primarily on the Grindstone Ranger District portion of the forest, include the Doe, 177,536 acres, 59 percent contained; the Glade, 25,358 acres, 0 percent contained; and the Tatham, 14,457 acres, 9 percent contained, the Forest Service reported.

On the Upper Lake Ranger District, the Hull fire north of Lake Pillsbury was at 11,109 acres and 10 percent contained on Monday, the Forest Service reported. Over the weekend officials said the Hull and the Doe actually burned together in the area of Rattlesnake Creek.

More than 670 firefighters were assigned to the incident on Monday, with officials reporting that 200 military personnel also are due to arrive this week to assist the firefighting effort.

Forest officials had reported over the weekend that crews are working in very rugged and steep terrain, some of it too difficult for even hotshot teams to get into safety.

Just two years ago, the Ranch fire portion of the 459,123-acre Mendocino Complex left a large fire scar in the Mendocino National Forest.

Katy Hooper, a spokesperson for the August Complex’s management team, said crews are working in the area of the old Ranch fire scar, using established fire line and fuel breaks to slow the August Complex.

Like the August Complex, the Ranch fire resulted in the death of a firefighter. Battalion Chief Matthew Burchett of the Draper City Fire Department in Utah died Aug. 13, 2018, when he was hit by a falling tree.

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.



The August Complex as mapped on Monday, August 31, 2020, image courtesy of the US Forest Service.
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CLEARLAKE, Calif. – The Clearlake City Council will consider another response to the grand jury report and continue a discussion on possible changes to commercial cannabis regulations this week.

The council will hold a closed session at 5 p.m. to discuss the proposed sale of city-owned property at 2185 Ogulin Canyon Road as well as negotiations for a property owned by One Shot Mining at 14885 Burns Valley Road before it holds its virtual public meeting beginning at 6 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 3.

Because of the county’s shelter in place order, Clearlake City Hall remains closed to the public, however, the virtual meeting will be broadcast live on the city's YouTube channel or the Lake County PEG TV YouTube Channel. Community members also can participate via Zoom.

The agenda can be found here.

Comments and questions can be submitted in writing for City Council consideration by sending them to Administrative Services Director/City Clerk Melissa Swanson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. You can also visit the city’s town hall site and submit written comments at https://www.opentownhall.com/portals/327/forum_home. Identify the subject you wish to comment on in your email’s subject line or in your town hall submission.

To give the council adequate time to review your questions and comments, please submit your written comments prior to 4 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 3.

Each public comment emailed to the city clerk will be read aloud by the mayor or a member of staff for up to three minutes or will be displayed on a screen. Public comment emails and town hall public comment submissions that are received after the beginning of the meeting will not be included in the record.

At the start of the meeting, the council will present a proclamation declaring September 2020 as Senior Center Month.

On the agenda includes an appeal of an abatement order for 15558 37th Ave. The property owner is appealing action taken after a Code Enforcement officer observed 20 marijuana plants being grown outdoors on the property, which exceeded the maximum of six plants and didn’t have a cultivation permit. The property previously was cited for marijuana cultivation in July 2018, according to city documents.

City Manager Alan Flora also will take to the council a proposed response to the Lake County Civil Grand Jury’s report on public safety power shutoffs, “PSPS – 5 Days in October.”

The grand jury required the city to respond, although, as the response notes, “The report almost exclusively focused on the various County department’s response to the last PSPS event in October. The City of Clearlake was not interviewed as part of the report so there is little detail on the City’s preparedness and/or response, therefore the City’s response to the report will be brief.”

The response agreed that more detailed planning is needed, and noted that it is underway.

Also on Thursday, the council will discuss and consider possible direction to staff regarding commercial cannabis permits.

Staff had taken the matter to the council on Aug. 25, asking if they wanted to consider increasing the maximum number of permittees due to continued demand for licenses and the success of the city’s existing cannabis businesses.

At the Aug. 25 meeting, council members requested additional information including a list of permittees, financial impacts of cannabis businesses, police calls for service at cannabis businesses and available areas of commercial zoning outside of cannabis areas. Staff is returning with more details in response to those requests.

On the meeting's consent agenda – items that are not considered controversial and are usually adopted on a single vote – are warrant registers; minutes of the July 16 meeting; consideration of continuation of declaration of local emergency issued on Oct. 9, 2017, and ratified by council action Oct. 12, 2017; consideration of continuation of declaration of local emergency issued on March 14, 2020, and ratified by council action March 19, 2020; a second reading and adoption of Ordinance No. 245-2020 amending Clearlake Municipal Code Chapter 2, Section 2-1.2 Increasing the Salary of City Council Members; a second reading and adoption of Ordinance No. 244-2020 amending the Clearlake Municipal Code relating to universal collection and authorizing administrative citations to collect unpaid; adoption of second amendment to the Fiscal Year 2020-21 Budget (Resolution 2020-27) appropriating funding for equipment and supplies, Resolution No. 2020-38; approval of the purchase of 2,040 lineal feet of used K-Rail concrete barrier for an amount not to exceed; approval of the purchase of a Bobcat Toolcat 5600 and five work implements; ratification of a letter of opposition to AB 6; amendment of a contract with Pavement Coatings Co. for an additional $13,657.60 and authorize the city manager to approve up to 10 percent for additional unforeseen contract amendments.

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.
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LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – The Lake County Public Health officer on Tuesday evening reported the county’s fifth death related to COVID-19, which is part of a cluster of cases that also resulted in a death late last week.

Dr. Gary Pace said his agency received confirmation of the fifth death of an individual with “a COVID-19-related illness” on Tuesday.

“This was the second individual to pass away as a result of a cluster of cases in a local residential facility,” said Pace. “Again, the individual was greater than 65 years old and had chronic medical issues. They had tested positive for COVID-19 last week, and passed away early this morning.”

The county’s fourth COVID-19 death, which occurred on Friday, was in the same residential facility, the county confirmed. However, officials have not disclosed the name of the facility where the outbreak has occurred.

Pace said they are not giving out any additional information to protect the privacy of the person and their family.

He said it has been a trying time for those connected to the residential care facility.

“The public can be reassured staff at the residential care facility are appropriately responding by testing, isolating and quarantining residents and employees, alike, using established protocols,” Pace said.

Pace said the Lake County Public Health Division and the California Department of Public Health continue to provide consultation and every available measure is being taken to limit the probability of spread.

As of Tuesday, Lake County Public Health has reported 346 COVID-19 cases, of which 35 remain active and monitored by health officials and 306 are recovered. Two currently are hospitalized.

“This second tragic death reported in a period of four days again reinforces the need for all Lake County residents to take precautions,” Pace said. “COVID-19 cases do not spontaneously arise in residential care facilities. They are transmitted by people that provide care and services; people that may not have even been aware they had COVID-19. Cases in residential facilities have shaken communities around the United States. We must be vigilant and slow the spread.”

Pace told the Board of Supervisors during its Tuesday meeting that this is a critical time for the Lake County community.

“If we take precautions, we can slow transmission of the virus, protect the vulnerable and allow local businesses to expand services,” Pace 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.
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Jose Feliciano Medina Jimenez was convicted of the felony charges of arson and resisting executive officers by means of threat or violence for a fire that occurred on Saturday, June 20, 2020, near Clearlake Oaks, California. Lake County Jail photo.

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – A Clearlake man has been sentenced to state prison for setting a June fire that occurred east of Clearlake Oaks.

On Monday, Judge J. David Markham sentenced Jose Feliciano Medina Jimenez, 27, to four years in state prison for felony violations of arson of forest land and resisting executive officers by means of threat or violence, said Chief Deputy District Attorney Richard Hinchcliff.

At the same time, Hinchcliff said Judge Markham ordered Jimenez to register as an arson offender for the rest of his life.

Sheriff’s deputies responded to the area of Mule Skinner Road and Highway 20 east of Clearlake Oaks on June 20 in response to a vegetation fire, as Lake County News has reported.

Sheriff’s Deputy Matthew McCabe arrived and contacted Jimenez standing in the middle of Highway 20 waving his arms, according to investigative reports by the Lake County Sheriff’s Office and Cal Fire.

When McCabe attempted to speak to Jimenez, Jimenez removed a large knife from his pocket. Jimenez ignored numerous commands to drop the knife and walked toward McCabe twice with the knife in his hand, the investigative reports said.

After about 10 minutes McCabe was able to get Jimenez to get rid of the knife and was able to handcuff Jimenez. When McCabe tried to place him in his patrol vehicle Jimenez began violently thrashing around, based on the reports.

Jimenez was placed in the vehicle with the assistance of other deputies arriving on the scene. One officer suffered a laceration to his knee, authorities reported.

While in the patrol vehicle, authorities said Jimenez attempted to kick the door open. When deputies opened the door Jimenez jumped out of the vehicle toward the deputies and violently resisted the deputies. The deputies were able to restrain Jimenez with a leg restraint and end his resistance and combativeness.

The reports said a Bic lighter was located in Jimenez’s pocket and he was determined to be under the influence of methamphetamine.

Deputy Antonio Castellanos and Cal Fire arson investigator Gary Uboldi interviewed Jimenez. The reports said Jimenez admitted starting the fire, claiming he became paranoid from the methamphetamine and believed people were spying on him and were going to hurt him.

Jimenez admitted to starting the fire in an effort to get the people to leave. He also admitted to starting the fire in an area with plywood and tires near a tree where it was dry and would be conducive to starting a fire, officials said.

Jimenez also admitted that at the time all of this occurred he had been working cultivating and tending marijuana plants on the property. The sheriff’s reports said deputies eradicated 352 marijuana plants from the property.

Cal Fire investigators Gary Uboldi and Brandon Bertolino conducted the origin and cause investigation for the fire, which fire officials said burned six acres and was quickly suppressed by Cal Fire using multiple engines and aircraft.

Cal Fire prevented the fire from possibly burning hundreds or thousands of acres and numerous structures due to the dry conditions and rural, brushy and steep terrain in the area, Hinchcliff said.

Hinchcliff said Jimenez’s prior criminal history included a conviction in 2017 for driving under the influence causing injury and two federal convictions in 2014 and 2018 for illegal entry into the United States.

Hinchcliff, who handles most of the fire-related prosecutions for Lake County including this case, charged Jimenez with arson, resisting officers and marijuana cultivation. Thomas Feimer was appointed as a public defender to represent Jimenez.

On Aug. 4, pursuant to a plea agreement negotiated with the District Attorney’s Office, Jimenez pleaded no contest to felony arson of forest land and felony resisting officers, with an agreed-upon potential sentence of up to four years state prison, Hinchcliff said.

At the Tuesday sentencing, in addition to sentencing Jimenez to four years in prison and ordering him to register as an arson offender, Hinchcliff said Judge Markham also ordered him to pay $1,200 in restitution.

Hinchcliff said restitution also was reserved for Cal Fire.

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