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The Ranch fire on Monday, July 30, 2018. Image courtesy of Cal Fire.

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – The Mendocino Complex made a dramatic growth in size overnight, nearly doubling in size, which a Lake County official said was partly the result of backfiring to help control the fire.

Cal Fire said the fire grew from 30,500 acres on Sunday night to 55,987 acres by Monday morning, with 10 percent total containment.

That breaks down to 20,911 acres and 5-percent containment for the River fire, and 35,076 acres for the Ranch fire, also 5-percent contained, Cal Fire said.

Officials said the fire complex continues to threaten 10,200 homes.

As a result, numerous communities including all of Lakeport, Blue Lakes, Bachelor Valley, Witter Springs, Nice and Upper Lake remain under mandatory evacuation in Lake County, with Potter Valley and areas close to the fire on the Mendocino County side also under evacuation order, according to Cal Fire.

On Monday, Cal Fire reported that evacuation orders have been lifted and residents may return to parts of Hopland, including the Hopland Rancheria.

The Lake County Sheriff’s Office said the complex led to the evacuation on Sunday of the Lake County Jail in the north Lakeport area.

The sheriff’s office said it was assisted in that effort by the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office, Alameda County Sheriff’s Office and Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office.

Approximately 285 inmates were moved and are being housed in Alameda County. Lake County Correctional and Medical Staff are being utilized in Alameda County to care and oversee the inmates from Lake County. Officials said there are currently no accommodations for visitation of Lake County inmates in Alameda County.

The total number of structures the complex has destroyed so far was still given as six by Cal Fire on Monday, although there were reports that additional structures had in fact burned overnight and hadn’t been confirmed.

Lake County Supervisor Rob Brown said the fire jumped Highway 175 near Lakeport in a few areas overnight but it was contained quickly.

The River fire on Monday, July 30, 2018. Image courtesy of Cal Fire.


By the time he got up to the scene at around 5 a.m. Monday, he said firefighters had established dozer line around the fire on the Hopland Grade.

Brown attributed the large overnight acreage growth partly to a lot of backfiring firefighters did along Highway 175. “They did a really good job of cleaning that up,” he said.

Authorities are continuing to patrol the evacuated areas and on Monday reported three more arrests of people found in the evacuation areas.

In related fire news, officials are asking Lake County residents to conserve water to the absolute minimum, as local water systems are being challenged supporting local needs and the efforts to save our homes and communities.

Sutter Lakeside Hospital, Lake County Tribal Health and the Lakeview Clinic are all closed due to the mandatory evacuations, while Adventist Health Hospital and Adventist Health Clinics in Clearlake, Middletown and Kelseyville are operating as normal.

Those needing emergency refills and having nonemergency health needs are asked to go to one of the clinics as not to overwhelm the emergency department.

Lake County Animal Care and Control reported on Monday morning that the SPCA facility at 8025 Highway 29, just south of Kits Corner, has opened and will accommodate special needs animals, including seniors, those with medicals issues and heat-related stress. Space is limited, and only animals from the mandatory evacuation areas will be accepted. Separately, animal supplies will be made available at the evacuation shelters.

Air quality remained poor on Monday, with thick smoke blanketing areas along the Northshore. Smoky conditions are expected to continue while the complex burns, officials said.

A summary of incident evacuation and road closure information is below.

EVACUATIONS

MANDATORY

Lake County

• Western Lake County, west of Lucerne at Bartlett Springs Road and Highway 20, south of the fire, east of the fire, and north of the Lake-Mendocino County line to include the communities of Blue Lakes, Upper Lake, Nice, Lakeport, Witter Springs, Bachelor Valley, Scotts Valley and Saratoga Springs.

Mendocino County

• East of mile marker 5.6 on Highway 175, north of Highway 175, west of the Mendocino-Lake County line, and south of the fire.

• Potter Valley community; all areas north of Highway 20, east of the fire edge, to the
Mendocino-Lake County line, south of Burris Lane to MeWhinney Creek and east of Eastside Potter Valley Road, to include feeder roads utilizing Burris Lane east to the Mendocino-Lake County line.

• Highway 20 area from one mile south of Highway 20, east of Potter Valley Road, south of MeWhinney Creek, and west of Mendocino-Lake County line.

• Pine Avenue area of Potter Valley north of Burris Lane, east of Eastside Potter Valley Road, south of 10511 Eastside Potter Valley Road, and west of the Lake-Mendocino County line.

• Midmountain Road area, north of 10551 Eastside Potter Valley Road, east of Eastside Potter
Valley Road, south of 11385 Eastside Potter Valley Road, west of Mendocino-Lake County
Line.

ADVISORY/WARNING

Lake County

• Kelseyville, Finley and Big Valley Rancheria.

Mendocino County

• North of 8000 block of River Road to Yokayo Ranch Road.
• South of 8000 Old River Road, east of the Russian River, north of Highway 175, west of mile marker 5.6 on Highway 175;

ROAD CLOSURES

Lake County

• Highway 175, at Highway 29 to westbound traffic. (Lake Co.)
• Scotts Valley Road at Hill Road
• Elk Mountain Road at Rancheria Road
• Highland Springs Road at Argonaut Road
• Ackley Road at Highway 29
• Highway 20, westbound at Highway 29
• Highway 20, eastbound at Bartlett Springs Road
• Scotts Valley Road, at Highway 29
• Highway 29, at Highland Springs Road
• Soda Bay Road, at Big Valley Road

Mendocino County

• Highway 175, at Old River Road to eastbound traffic (Mendocino Co.)
• Burris Lane at Eastside Potter Valley Road
• Old River Road, at the 8000 block
• Pine Avenue, at Eastside Potter Valley Road
• Highway 20, at Potter Valley Road
• Elk Mountain Road, south of Pillsbury Road

EVACUATION CENTERS

• Mendocino College, Dance Room, 1000 Hensley Creek Road, Ukiah
• Mountain Vista Middle School, 5081 Konocti Road, Kelseyville
• Kelseyville Elementary School, 5065 Konocti Road
• Kelseyville High School, 5480 Main St.
• Lower Lake High School, 9430 Lake St.
• Twin Pines Casino, 22223 Highway 29, Middletown.

ANIMAL EVACUATIONS

Lake County

Large livestock can be taken to Cole Creek Equestrian Center, 4985 Steelhead Drive, Kelseyville, telephone 707-279-0915; or to Helen Owens’ A1 Horse Programs, 18585 Guenoc Lane, Hidden Valley Lake, telephone 707-355-0121.

Lake Evacuation and Animal Protection has been activated and is evacuating animals. Call Lake County Animal Care and Control from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. at 707-263-0278.

Mendocino County

Redwood Riders Arena, 8300 East Road, Redwood Valley is accepting horses.

Mendocino County Animal Care, 298 Plant Road, Ukiah is accepting small animals.

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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A NASA satellite image from Sunday, July 29, 2018, shows thick smoke over much of Northern California due to wildland fires. The red area at the top of the image is the Carr fire near Redding in Shasta County, Calif., with the red dots at the bottom the Ranch and River fires, part of the Mendocino Complex in Mendocino and Lake counties.


LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – The growing Mendocino Complex continued to pump thick smoke into the air in Lake County on Sunday, resulting in another air quality alert from Lake County Air Quality Management District warning of seriously degraded conditions.

Air Pollution Control Officer Doug Gearhart said the air alert was for “unhealthy” to “very unhealthy” conditions, resulting from the heavy smoke conditions Lake County is experiencing and the forecast for extended smoke impacts, and impacts from other air pollutants in the smoke lingering in Lake County until conditions change.

Gearhart said current particulate levels are in the range from “unhealthy” to “very unhealthy” throughout Lake County with localized areas reaching “hazardous” levels.

The "unhealthy" levels of smoke are expected to continue through Monday. All areas may experience “very unhealthy” air quality, and individuals should take precautions, Gearhart said.

He said the smoke is expected to remain in Lake County through Monday, though air quality could improve if the winds shift.

Conditions can change quickly. Smoky conditions can cause irritation of the eyes, nose and air passages. These conditions can be hazardous for sensitive individual including children, the elderly, individuals with heart conditions, and those with chronic lung disease such as asthma, bronchitis, and other respiratory conditions.

Individuals with asthma, bronchitis, emphysema and other lung or heart diseases should carefully adhere to their medical treatment plans and maintain at least a five-day supply of prescribed medications. They should limit outdoor activity and unnecessary physical exertion while smoke is present. Air conditioning that recirculates indoor air should be used, when available. Drinking plenty of water to avoid drying of the airways is recommended, unless restricted for medical reasons.

If you cannot leave the smoky area, good ways to protect your lungs from wildfire smoke include staying indoors and reducing physical activity.

Wearing an air purifying respirator can also help protect your lungs from wildfire smoke. Air purifying respirators, such as N-95 or P100 filtering face pieces, may be effective in reducing some of the harmful particulate matter, but they also increase the work of breathing, can lead to physiologic stress, and are not recommended as a general protective measure.

Dust masks are not protective against the ultra fine particulate, which is the pollutant most detrimental to health caused by wildfire smoke.

With air quality forecast to be in the “unhealthy” to “very unhealthy” range, people are recommended to use caution, avoid strenuous activity, avoid outdoor activities, and reduce other sources of air pollution (such as smoking, use of aerosol products, frying or broiling meats, burning candles, vacuuming, etc.) and be prepared for rapidly changing conditions.

Localized areas of very unhealthy or hazardous air quality, regional haze, and particulate from these fires can be expected until the regional fires are fully contained and the weather pattern shifts to clear the smoke. Take appropriate measures until the smoke clears.
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The Ranch fire burning on a hillside above Dewell Road Extension and Rancheria Road near Upper Lake, Calif., on the night of Sunday, July 29, 2018. Photo by Elizabeth Larson/Lake County News.


LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Firefighters, law enforcement, and local and state leaders were continuing their work on Sunday to protect Lake County from the destructive impacts of its latest wildland fires.

The Ranch and River fires, now combined into the Mendocino Complex, began burning Friday afternoon in Mendocino County before moving into Lake County.

The complex had grown to 30,500 acres by Sunday night, with containment at 10 percent and six structures destroyed.

With the fires threatening more than 10,000 homes, a series of mandatory and advisory evacuations have caused tens of thousands of Lake County residents to leave their homes as the fires bore down on Lakeport and Upper Lake.

As the fires continued to burn through thick vegetation, the smoke billowed into enormous columns in the sky.

In the case of the Ranch fire, reaching Upper Lake on Sunday, the column resembled boiling thunderclouds stacked on top of each other.

For much of the day, thick smoke obscured the sun, turning it a blood red, and at night, the moon turned bright red, too, due to the smoke-clogged atmosphere.

Air conditions prompted the Lake County Air Quality Management District on Sunday to issue an alert for “unhealthy” to “very unhealthy” conditions throughout Lake County with localized areas reaching “hazardous” levels due to particulate.

The River fire’s approach to the Lakeport, the county seat, and its full evacuation has had numerous impacts, including closure of the Lake County Superior Court, and county and city offices; the evacuation of Sutter Lakeside Hospital and Evergreen Lakeport Healthcare; temporary shuttering of the Lakeport Senior Center; as well as closure of numerous businesses.

The Ranch fire likewise has shuttered businesses and facilities, including the the Mendocino National Forest’s Upper Lake district, and the complex as a whole causing numerous road closures, including Highway 175 over the Hopland Grade and Highway 20 from the junction of Highway 29 to Highway 101.

Both fires also are believed to have been connected to the cause for power outages impacting thousands of people along the Northshore, officials reported.

The smoke plume from the Ranch fire as seen from north Lakeport, Calif., on Sunday, July 29, 2018. Photo by Elizabeth Larson/Lake County News.


More resources join the effort

As with other major wildland fire incident, this one has required the assistance of multiple units from around the region.

There were California Highway Patrol officers from Garberville guarding roads around Upper Lake, Clearlake Public Works personnel staffing the road closure on Lakeport Boulevard at Hamburger Hill, and firefighters from numerous communities around the state on the fire lines.

Cal Fire said nearly 1,400 firefighters are now assigned to the incident.

On Sunday afternoon, firefighters were working at a number of locations in and around the city of Lakeport and on the Northshore.

With Highway 175 over Hopland closed, fire crews were staged along the highway and working to stop the fire from further advancing toward the city.

Supervisor Rob Brown, who has been throughout the fire area since it began, said they had made progress that day on the fire’s progress along the highway, noting conditions also appeared to have improved because the wind conditions had changed and were more in firefighters’ favor.

Back down the hill, in the Sandy Lane area behind Lakeport, dozers were working the area and a firing operation also took place.

One dozer operator was reported to have been injured on the lines nearby and flown to an out-of-county trauma center.

Property owner Allen Keithly ran his own bulldozer throughout the day on Sunday to cut fire line while the fire crept through the grass nearby. He had refused to leave his land and decided he would keep working there instead.

At the nearby subdivision next to Westside Community Park, dozers had cut lines in vacant fields and equipment was staged to protect homes as flames burned brush on nearby hilltops.

Planes and helicopters flew over the city throughout the day, with the planes making retardant drops on in locations including along Scotts Creek Road, with dozers also cutting more protective line.

On Scotts Valley Road, residents were wetting down rooftops, trying to secure their properties and preparing to leave if the couldn’t defend their homes.

The River fire burning along Sandy Lane in Lakeport, Calif., on Sunday, July 29, 2018. Photo by Elizabeth Larson/Lake County News.

City officials issue emergency proclamation

With the exception of the firefighters, law enforcement and city officials, the city of Lakeport was deserted and eerily silent on Sunday evening.

Library Park was empty save for sets of this year’s Shakespeare at the Lake production which had been planned for this weekend but canceled due to the evacuations.

Across the street in City Hall, city officials were at work in their own incident command center, with the building being powered by generators due to ongoing power outages.

Lakeport City Manager Margaret Silveira, her department heads, police administrative staff and Public Works staff, as well as Clearlake Public Works Director Doug Herren and new Clearlake Police Chief Andrew White, were monitoring the situation.

State Sen. Mike McGuire was working his way around the county on Sunday, stopping to check in on Silveira and her staff as well as accompanying Brown to the fire scene and to visit some of the evacuation shelters.

On Saturday, Gov. Jerry Brown declared a state of emergency due to the fires, and on Sunday night after McGuire’s visit the city of Lakeport issued an emergency proclamation due to the River fire, which resulted in a full mandatory evacuation of the city on Sunday afternoon.

County officials worked at a separate emergency operations center next door to the Lake County Jail.

Fire crews worked on the River fire along Scotts Creek Road in Lakeport, Calif., on Sunday, July 29, 2018. Photo by Elizabeth Larson/Lake County News.

Ranch fire advances; more shelters open

The Ranch fire, now the biggest of the Mendocino Complex’s two fires, was pushing closer to Upper Lake on Sunday night.

The fire was moving over hillsides near the junction of Highway 20 and Highway 29.

The Ranch fire had by nightfall advanced as far as an area off of Elk Mountain Road and Rancheria Road, on a hillside above Dewell Road Extension as well as an area near young walnut orchards. Brown believed the orchards would help control the spread of the fire.

The fire was giving off thick smoke and ash that clogged the air of the Northshore miles away.

Radio traffic indicated that the fire area off Elk Mountain Road was a primary work location for firefighters overnight.

Meanwhile, with thousands of people displaced from their homes, Cal Fire reported on Sunday night that five shelters were open for Lake County evacuees: Mountain Vista Middle School, 5081 Konocti Road, Kelseyville; Kelseyville Elementary School, 5065 Konocti Road; Kelseyville High School, 5480 Main St.; Lower Lake High School, 9430 Lake St.; and Twin Pine Casino, 22223 Highway 29, Middletown.

Fire equipment staged around homes near Westside Community Park to protect them from the River fire on Sunday, July 29, 2018. Photo by Elizabeth Larson/Lake County News.


At the Kelseyville High School shelter on Sunday night, shelter staff reported that 57 people had checked in.

Cots were set up in the gymnasium, which was being cooled by large fans.

Some of the evacuees looked exhausted, others seemed bewildered and struggled to make themselves comfortable in the situation.

At Mountain Vista Middle School, another 75 to 80 people were sheltering, officials said.

McGuire talked with shelter managers about needs – such as snacks, coffee and baby formula – and coordinated with state Office of Emergency Services officials for delivery of items on Monday.

Cal Fire estimates the complex will be fully contained on Aug. 6.

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.
Smoke from the Mendocino Complex hangs in the skies over Lakeport, Calif. on Sunday, July 29, 2018. Photo by Elizabeth Larson/Lake County News.
Posted On

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. (July 29, 2018) – Lake County is under a declared State of Emergency due to the Mendocino Complex Fires (River, Ranch). 
 
The City of Lakeport and surrounding areas, home to many County offices, are among those under Mandatory Evacuation.  Many County employees have been displaced by the fires, and our thoughts are with each evacuated individual, and all of those impacted by wildfire.
 
All County offices in Lakeport will be closed Monday, July 30.  With the exception of those assigned to respond to the disaster, County employees stationed in Lakeport do not need to report to work.  Those who are required to report to a different location will be notified by their departmental leadership.
 
At this time, all County offices are expected to reopen Tuesday, July 31.
 
“I am one of many County employees displaced, and am aware that many are attending to considerable personal, family and other urgent needs due to this disaster, and my sincere hope is that everyone will be safe and find appropriate shelter,” shares Carol J. Huchingson, County Administrative Officer. 
 
“Our first responders are once again doing remarkable work in the face of tremendous challenges, and we are grateful for those efforts, as well as the contributions of so many friends and family members of those displaced.”
 
“I am proud to be part of the Lake County community,” continues Huchingson.  “Ours is a community that binds together and responds in times of challenge, neighbors supporting neighbors.  We will overcome this disaster together.”
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LAKE COUNTY, Calif. -- The Lake County Sheriff's Office has issued a mandatory evacuation order for Upperlake, California in response to the spread of the Ranch Fire.

LCSO advises residents to evacuate immediately.

Upper Lake is under imminent threat from the Ranch Fire.  Leave immediately via Hwy 20 Southbound.
Shelters established at Lower Lake High School and Twin Pines Casino in Middletown.

 

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Shawn D. Morrison, 35, of Montara, Calif., was arrested on Sunday, July 29, 2018, for prowling and unauthorized entry into a closed emergency area. Photo courtesy of the Lakeport Police Department.

LAKEPORT, Calif. – Police arrested a Montara man on Sunday night after finding him prowling around homes located in the mandatory evacuation zone in Lakeport.

Shawn D. Morrison, 35, was placed under arrest for prowling and unauthorized entry into a closed emergency area, according to the Lakeport Police Department.

Officials said that at 8 p.m. Sunday a Lakeport Police officer responded to the 1100 block of Page Drive on a report of a male subject, with no shirt, peeking into windows of residences that were vacant due to mandatory evacuations.

The officer contacted the male subject, identified as Morrison, who stated he was there to pick up some things from his aunt’s house, according to the report.

Through the course of the investigation, police said the officer determined Morrison did not live in the area and was aware of the mandatory evacuations.

Morrison subsequently was placed under arrest and transported to jail where his bail was set at $5,000, police said.

The Lakeport Police Department, Lake County Sheriff's Office and allied agencies – Clearlake Police, Ukiah Police and the Mendocino County Sheriff – are actively patrolling for unauthorized entry into evacuation areas.

Authorities said any unauthorized person who willfully and knowingly enters a disaster area and who willfully remains within the area after receiving notice to evacuate or leave shall be guilty of a misdemeanor.
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KELSEYVILLE, Calif. -- The Lake County Sheriff's Office is issuing an Advisory Evacuation Notice for the Kelseyville community.

This includes all residences north of the Lake/Mendocino/Sonoma County lines to the shoreline of Clear Lake.

All residences west of Bottle Rock Road and Clear Lake State Park. This is an advisory evacuation message resulting from the River Fire. A shelter has been established at Mountain Vista Middle School in Kelseyville and Twin Pine Casino.

At this time, an evacuation is recommended, however not required. The Lake County Sheriff's Office encourage those who are able to evacuate to consider doing so now.

If you have somewhere you can go outside of the affected area, such as a friend or relatives home, we recommend doing so. We are inviting everyone to take preparations in the likely event a mandatory evacuation order is issued.

Preparations should include gathering all medications, important documents, making plans for pets, and notifying family members where you may be going.

During a mandatory evacuation, it will be extremely hectic and traffic conditions will be very congested. By evacuating early, you do your part in keeping yourself, your neighbors, and our first responders safe.

As a reminder, this is not a mandatory evacuation at this time. In the event of a mandatory evacuation, further information will be provided.
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LAKEPORT, Calif. – The entire city of Lakeport has been ordered to evacuate because of the imminent threat posed by the fast-moving River fire, and Highway 20 has been closed because of the Ranch fire.

Just after 3 p.m. the Lakeport Police Department issued the mandatory evacuation notice, ordering residents to leave immediately and seek shelter at Twin Pine Casino in Middletown.

Minutes later, the Lake County Sheriff’s Office followed up by ordering all residents north of Highland Springs and Big Valley Road and south of 20th Street to leave immediately as well.

Finley and the Big Valley Rancheria lso have been placed under an evacuation advisory.

The Highway 20 closure was announced by the Lake County Sheriff’s Office at 4 p.m.

Radio reports had indicated the fire had jumped the highway.

The sheriff’s office confirmed that the closure was the result of the Ranch fire, and that the highway is closed between the intersection of Highway 20 and Potter Valley Road and the intersection of Highway 29 and Highway 20.

The city of Lakeport – which had been under an advisory evacuation notice since Saturday – now joins numerous other parts of the county where residents have been ordered to leave for their own safety because they are in the path of the Mendocino Complex of fires.

Law enforcement officials are now making their way through the city of Lakeport to help evacuate residents.

On Sunday morning, Cal Fire said the complex, which includes the Ranch and River fires, had burned a combined 24,270 acres, with a total of 10 percent containment and thousands of structures threatened.

As the day wore on, the fire fight continued, with the River fire began making runs up ridges near the city during the afternoon.

A community meeting that had been called for Sunday evening in Kelseyville also was canceled due to a lack of available resources, according to Sheriff Brian Martin.

Current evacuations, road closure and other related information are posted below.

EVACUATIONS

LAKE COUNTY

Mandatory evacuations:

• The city of Lakeport.
• Lakeport area north of Highland Springs/Big Valley Road and South of 20th Street.
• The unincorporated area Lakeport, everything south of Scotts Creek Road to Scotts Valley Road to Highway 29; everything west of Highway 29 from Scotts Valley Road to Highland Springs Road; everything north of Highland Springs Road, Mathews Road, George Road and Highway 175 to the Lake-Mendocino County line; everything east of Lake-Mendocino
County line from Scotts Creek Road to Highway 175.
• North of Highway 20, west of Mendenhall Avenue; east of the Mendocino-Lake County line;
south of Mendocino National Forest.
• Blue Lakes.
• Bachelor Valley.
• Witter Springs.
• Elk Mountain Road, north of Rancheria Road to Middle Creek Campground and west to the county line.
• North Scotts Valley Road from the 7000 block to Highway 20.

Advisory evacuation orders:
 
• North of Highway 20, east of Mendenhall Avenue and south of the Mendocino National Forest boundary, west of Robinson Rancheria Casino.
• Finley and Big Valley Rancheria.

MENDOCINO COUNTY

Mandatory evacuations:

• 8000 block of River Road, south to the intersection of Highway 175 from the Russian River east to the Lake County line, within the north south points. These evacuations also include all
driveways and homes located between the north south points.
• Potter Valley community.
• All areas north of Highway 20, east of the fire edge, to the Mendocino-Lake County line.
• South of Burris Lane to MeWhinney Creek and east of East Side Potter Valley Road, to include feeder roads utilizing Burris Lane east to the Mendocino-Lake County line.

Evacuation advisories or warnings:

• Highway 20 from the 6000 block to the Lake County line.
• Potter Valley, Burris Lane area.
• North of 8000 block of River Road to Yokayo Ranch Road.

ROAD CLOSURES

• Highway 20, between the intersection of Highway 20 and Potter Valley Road and the intersection of Highway 29 and Highway 20.
• Highway 175, at Old River Road to eastbound traffic (Mendocino County).
• Highway 175, at Highway 29 to westbound traffic (Lake County).
• Old River Road, between the 7000 block and Highway 175.
• Old River Road, between the 7000 and 8000 block is open to residents only.
• Scotts Valley Road at Mountview Road/11th Street (Lakeport).
• Hill Road at Scotts Valley Road (Lakeport).
• Laurel Dell near Scotts Valley Road at Scotts Valley Road (Blue Lakes).
• Bachelor Valley Road at Highway 20 (Upper Lake / Bachelor Valley and Witter Springs Community).
• Witter Springs Road at Highway 20 (Upper Lake / Bachelor Valley and Witter Springs Community).
• Elk Mountain Road at Rancheria Rd (Upper Lake).
• Blue Lake Road at Highway 20 (Blue Lakes).
• Irvine Avenue at Highway 20 (Blue Lakes).
• Mid Lake Road at Highway 20 (Blue Lakes).
• Mathews Road at Highway 175 (Lakeport).
• Saratoga Springs Road at Highway 20 (Upper Lake / Bachelor Valley and Witter Springs Community).
• Highland Springs Road at Argonaut Road (Lakeport).
• Highland Springs Road at Bell Hill Road (Lakeport).
• Highland Springs Road at Merritt (Lakeport).
• Parallel Drive at Highway 175 (Lakeport).
• Martin Street at Highway 29 overpass (Lakeport).

EVACUATION CENTERS

Mendocino College, Dance Room at 1000 Hensley Creek Road, Ukiah.

Mountain Vista Middle School, 5081 Konocti Road, Kelseyville.

Twin Pine Casino, 22223 Highway 29 in Middletown.

ANIMAL EVACUATION CENTERS/ASSISTANCE

Lake County

Large livestock can be taken to Cole Creek Equestrian Center, 4985 Steelhead Drive, Kelseyville, telephone 707-279-0915; or to Helen Owens’ A1 Horse Programs, 18585 Guenoc Lane, Hidden Valley Lake, telephone 707-355-0121.

Animal assistance is being offered at the evacuation shelter at Mountain Vista Middle School, 5081 Konocti Road, Kelseyville.

Lake County Animal Care and Control urges people to try to keep small pets with them, as the shelter itself may need to be evacuated.

Lake Evacuation and Animal Protection has been activated and is evacuating animals. Call Lake County Animal Care and Control from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. at 707-263-0278.

Mendocino County

Redwood Riders Arena, 8300 East Road, Redwood Valley is accepting horses.

Mendocino County Animal Care, 298 Plant Road, Ukiah is accepting small animals.

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.
Posted On

Gregory Brunner, 32, of Lakeport, Calif., was arrested on Sunday, July 29, 2018, for driving on a suspended driver’s license as well as a host of weapons-related charges after he was found in the fire evacuation area in Lakeport, Calif. Lake County Jail photo.


LAKEPORT, Calif. – A Lakeport man arrested on Sunday in the city’s evacuated area was found to be illegally in possession of a concealed weapon.

Gregory Brunner, 32, was taken into custody on Sunday morning, according to the Lakeport Police Department.

At about 11 a.m. Sunday, Clearlake Police Officer Mark Harden, who was assisting the Lakeport Police Department and the Lake County Sheriff’s Office in patrolling the evacuated areas in and around Lakeport, conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle in the evacuated area, police said.

Police said the driver of the vehicle, identified as Brunner, was found to have a suspended driver’s license. Bruner was arrested for driving on a suspended driver’s license.

During a search incident to arrest, Brunner was found to be in possession of a loaded Glock 9 millimeter handgun. Police said the serial number of the firearm had been damaged so that the number was not readable.

Brunner is a convicted felon and is prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition. Police said Brunner was additionally charged with felon in possession of a firearm, felon in possession of ammunition, possession of a concealed firearm, possession of a loaded firearm in public, altering a firearms serial number, and entering a closed disaster area.

He later was booked into the Lake County Jail, authorities reported.

A loaded Glock 9 millimeter handgun found by police in the possession of Gregory Brunner, 32, of Lakeport, Calif., on Sunday, July 29, 2018. Photo courtesy of the Lakeport Police Department.
Posted On

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. -- Additional mandatory evacuation orders were issued Sunday afternoon as the River and Ranch fires reached 30,500 acres.

The city of Lakeport and towns of Finley, Upperlake and Nice were put under mandatory evacuation as the fire moved further into Lake County. Traffic on Hwy 20 increased as evacuees moved East. In the town of Lucerne, residents could be seen packing cars though that town is not yet under an advisory.

An evacuation advisory for Kelseyville has also been issued.

The Lake County area now under mandatory evacuation Western Lake County,west of Lucerne at Bartlett Springs Road and Highway 20, South of the fire, East of the Fire, and North of the Lake-Sonoma County line to include the communities of BlueLakes, UpperLake, Nice, Lakeport, WitterSprings, Bachelor Valley, Scotts Valley, and Saratoga Springs.

The two fires combined have consumed 30,500 acres with 5 percent containment for both the River and the Ranch fires.

By Sunday evening six residences had been destroyed with an additional 10,200 threatened.

The CalFire situation update stated that 1379 fire fighters continue to battle the River and Ranch fires. Crews worked throughout the night to reinforce con tainment lines. Weather conditions will continue to challenge firefighters as hot, dry and windy conditions persist. A lack of available suppression and overhead personnel will also slow the firefighting efforts.
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The Mendocino Complex of fires in a map issued by Cal Fire on Sunday, July 29, 2018. The red perimeter at the top is the Ranch fire, while the red perimeter at the bottom is the River fire. The yellow areas on the map indicates Bureau of Land Management lands.


LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – California’s governor has declared a state of emergency due to the Mendocino Complex, which grew by more than 10,000 acres overnight.

The Ranch and River fires make up the 24,270-acre Mendocino Complex, which began on Friday in Mendocino County before moving into Lake County, burning aggressively in steep terrain, fueled by extreme heat, low humidity and gusty winds.

On Sunday morning Cal Fire said the Ranch fire, which began along Highway 20 near Potter Valley, has grown to be the largest of the complex’s two fires, burning 13,242 acres.

On Saturday evening the Ranch fire spread into the Mendocino National Forest, according to forest spokeswoman Punky Moore.

The River fire, which began along Old River Road six miles from Hopland, is up to 11,028 acres, and has destroyed four residences and one outbuilding.

Both fires remained at 5 percent containment on Sunday morning, for a total complex containment of 10 percent, Cal Fire said.

Combined, the fires are now threatening 4,587 structures, Cal Fire said Sunday.

Cal Fire said 820 personnel, 56 engines, 22 water tenders, six helicopters, 27 hand crews and 22 dozers are assigned to the complex.

Earlier reports had indicated injuries to firefighters, but Sunday’s report said none have occurred.

The River fire portion of the Mendocino Complex flaring up on the evening of Saturday, July 28, 2018. Photo by Gail Salituri, published with permission.


On Saturday afternoon, as the work continued on the complex, the Steele fire began in Napa County, threatening the Berryessa Highlands area, where a mandatory evacuation was later ordered.

Aircraft were pulled from Lake County’s fires and diverted to the Steele fire, with planes later sent back to the Mendocino Complex, based on radio traffic.

The Steele fire has burned 150 acres, destroyed seven structures and damaged one other, and is 50 percent contained, Cal Fire said Sunday.

On Saturday night, Gov. Jerry Brown declared a state of emergency in Lake, Mendocino and Napa counties due to the effects of the River, Ranch and Steele fires.

“Grateful to Governor Brown for declaring a state of emergency in both Mendocino and Lake Counties,” State Sen. Mike McGuire said on his Facebook page. “This declaration will help pave the way for enhanced state and federal financial assistance.”

On Sunday morning the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency reported that it has authorized the use of federal funds to assist the State of California to combat the River Fire burning in Mendocino and Lake counties.

The River fire burning on the ridges behind Lakeport, Calif., on the evening of Saturday, July 28, 2018. Photo by Elizabeth Larson/Lake County News.


Mandatory evacuations remain in place

The Lake County Sheriff’s Office ordered several mandatory evacuations throughout the day on Saturday, all of which remained in effect on Sunday morning.

A a mandatory evacuation at Sutter Lakeside Hospital was triggered during Saturday afternoon.

Sutter Health spokesman Clayton Warren issued an update Saturday night that said 13 patients were safely evacuated to nearby hospitals by 7:20 p.m.

“As the last patients left the hospital, emergency officials advised us that the fire risk for Sutter Lakeside was greatly reduced – and as a result – requested we keep the emergency department and obstetrics open. The medical/surgical units and the intensive care unit remain closed,” Warren said.

Evergreen Lakeport Healthcare also was reported to have been evacuated on Saturday, based on radio reports.

The entire city of Lakeport was under an advisory evacuation throughout the day Saturday and into Sunday, and local law enforcement patrolled all of the evacuation areas to protect against looters.

Valicia Catching photographed the Mendocino Complex from Konocti Vista Casino in Lakeport, Calif., as birds flew in the opposite direction of the blaze on Saturday, July 28, 2018. Published with permission.


On Saturday night, the River fire’s flames crested ridges behind Lakeport and appeared to be approaching the city, as shown in the video below.

However, at that point Supervisor Rob Brown, who was driving the fire area with Sheriff Brian Martin, said the fire still appeared to be several miles and ridges away.

Brown and other local officials will host a community meeting about the fires at 5 p.m. Sunday at Kelseyville High School.

Firefighters worked the incident through the night, with structure protection in areas like Bachelor Valley a priority, according to radio reports.

Reports from the scene Saturday night stated that power was cut to the Bachelor Valley area as part of the firefighting effort.

Cal Fire anticipates that the Mendocino Complex will be fully contained on Aug. 5.




In other fire news, Gov. Brown announced on Saturday that the state has secured a presidential declaration requested on Friday providing direct federal assistance to further support the communities impacted by the Carr Fire, following an emergency proclamation issued for Shasta County this week.

The Carr fire in Redding ballooned to 89,194 acres by Sunday morning, with 5 percent containment, according to Cal Fire.

The incident has claimed the lives of two firefighters and three civilians, according to Redding area media reports.

Cal Fire said the Carr fire has destroyed 517 structures and damaged 135 others, and continues to threaten nearly 5,000 more.

Gov. Brown ordered state flags to be flown at half-staff in honor of two firefighters who died while working on the Carr Fire, and issued emergency proclamations for Riverside and Mariposa counties this week due to fires.

A summary of Mendocino Complex evacuations, road closures and shelter information is listed below. Updates will be issued throughout the day as information changes.

EVACUATIONS SUMMARY

LAKE COUNTY

Mandatory evacuations:

• The unincorporated area Lakeport, everything south of Scotts Creek Road to Scotts Valley Road to Highway 29; everything west of Highway 29 from Scotts Valley Road to Highland Springs Road; everything north of Highland Springs Road, Mathews Road, George Road and Highway 175 to the Lake-Mendocino County line; everything east of Lake-Mendocino
County line from Scotts Creek Road to Highway 175.
• North of Highway 20, west of Mendenhall Avenue; east of the Mendocino-Lake County line;
south of Mendocino National Forest.
• Blue Lakes.
• Bachelor Valley.
• Witter Springs.
• Elk Mountain Road, north of Rancheria Road to Middle Creek Campground and west to the county line.
• North Scotts Valley Road from the 7000 block to Highway 20.

Advisory evacuation orders:

• Area south of Park Way and east of Highway 29 to Big Valley Road, including the entire city of Lakeport.
• North of Highway 20, east of Mendenhall Avenue and south of the Mendocino National Forest boundary, west of Robinson Rancheria Casino.

MENDOCINO COUNTY

Mandatory evacuations:

• 8000 block of River Road, south to the intersection of Highway 175 from the Russian River east to the Lake County line, within the north south points. These evacuations also include all
driveways and homes located between the north south points.
• Potter Valley community.
• All areas north of Highway 20, east of the fire edge, to the Mendocino-Lake County line.
• South of Burris Lane to MeWhinney Creek and east of East Side Potter Valley Road, to include feeder roads utilizing Burris Lane east to the Mendocino-Lake County line.

Evacuation advisories or warnings:

• Highway 20 from the 6000 block to the Lake County line.
• Potter Valley, Burris Lane area.
• North of 8000 block of River Road to Yokayo Ranch Road.

ROAD CLOSURES

• Highway 175, at Old River Road to eastbound traffic (Mendocino County).
• Highway 175, at Highway 29 to westbound traffic (Lake County).
• Old River Road, between the 7000 block and Highway 175.
• Old River Road, between the 7000 and 8000 block is open to residents only.
• Scotts Valley Road at Mountview Road/11th Street (Lakeport).
• Hill Road at Scotts Valley Road (Lakeport).
• Laurel Dell near Scotts Valley Road at Scotts Valley Road (Blue Lakes).
• Bachelor Valley Road at Highway 20 (Upper Lake / Bachelor Valley and Witter Springs Community).
• Witter Springs Road at Highway 20 (Upper Lake / Bachelor Valley and Witter Springs Community).
• Elk Mountain Road at Rancheria Rd (Upper Lake).
• Blue Lake Road at Highway 20 (Blue Lakes).
• Irvine Avenue at Highway 20 (Blue Lakes).
• Mid Lake Road at Highway 20 (Blue Lakes).
• Mathews Road at Highway 175 (Lakeport).
• Saratoga Springs Road at Highway 20 (Upper Lake / Bachelor Valley and Witter Springs Community).
• Highland Springs Road at Argonaut Road (Lakeport).
• Highland Springs Road at Bell Hill Road (Lakeport).
• Highland Springs Road at Merritt (Lakeport).
• Parallel Drive at Highway 175 (Lakeport).
• Martin Street at Highway 29 overpass (Lakeport).

EVACUATION CENTERS

Mendocino College, Dance Room at 1000 Hensley Creek Road, Ukiah.

Mountain Vista Middle School, 5081 Konocti Road, Kelseyville (This facility is reported to be full.)

Twin Pine Casino, 22223 Highway 29 in Middletown.

ANIMAL EVACUATION CENTERS/ASSISTANCE

Lake County

Large livestock can be taken to Cole Creek Equestrian Center, 4985 Steelhead Drive, Kelseyville, telephone 707-279-0915; or to Helen Owens’ A1 Horse Programs, 18585 Guenoc Lane, Hidden Valley Lake, telephone 707-355-0121.

Animal assistance is being offered at the evacuation shelter at Mountain Vista Middle School, 5081 Konocti Road, Kelseyville.

Lake County Animal Care and Control urges people to try to keep small pets with them, as the shelter itself may need to be evacuated.

Lake Evacuation and Animal Protection has been activated and is evacuating animals. Call Lake County Animal Care and Control from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. at 707-263-0278.

Mendocino County

Redwood Riders Arena, 8300 East Road, Redwood Valley is accepting horses.

Mendocino County Animal Care, 298 Plant Road, Ukiah is accepting small animals.

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.



Mendocino County River fire evacuations by LakeCoNews on Scribd

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