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NORTH COAST, Calif. – Sonoma County residents can now view current aerial imagery of their properties within some burn areas.

On Thursday the Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office reported that it had released aerial imagery of Coffey Park and Journey’s End Mobilehome Park, taken from an authorized drone controlled by law enforcement.

The aerial imagery is available at https://www.sonomasheriff.org/tubbscomplexlnu-fire-imagery.

Sonoma County Sheriff, Santa Rosa Police and Alameda County Sheriff partnered with several private companies in a collaborative effort to provide the imagery to Sonoma County residents.

Alameda and Sonoma counties used modern drone technology and data collection in the North Bay fires for cross-agency coordination, evidence preservation and to inform the public of neighborhood status.

The Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office encouraged those living within burn areas to look at the images of their neighborhoods and properties before returning, as it will help them understand the extent of damage at their homes.

“These fires have been a traumatizing experience, and we understand that information is helpful in the grieving and rebuilding process,” the sheriff’s office said in its Thursday announcement.
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CLEARLAKE, Calif. – A Wednesday afternoon fire burned a residence in Clearlake, with firefighters working in the Sulphur fire area responding to assist with putting out the blaze.

The fire, located on Sixth Street between Oak and Bush streets, was first reported at about 4 p.m. Wednesday, according to Lake County Fire Chief Willie Sapeta.

Sapeta said firefighters arrived to find a single-wide mobile home fully involved.

He said firefighters were challenged by downed power lines.

Reports from the scene also reported that embers were flying to the east, with Sapeta directing crews to patrol for potential spot fires.

He said a total of eight engines, a water tender and eight company officers responded. “We were heavy with resources.”

That was thanks to crews working on the nearby Sulphur fire area responding to help put out the fire, Sapeta said.

As a result, “Knockdown was pretty quick,” he said.

About an hour and a half after the fire’s dispatch, units were reported to be clearing the scene, with the Cal Fire crews returning to work on the Sulphur fire, which was at 94-percent containment on Wednesday evening.

Reports from the scene stated that two adults – a man and a woman – along with three canines were displaced by the fire, with Red Cross assistance requested.

Sapeta said they were sent to the evacuation shelter that’s still open at Twin Pine Casino in Middletown.

There were no injuries to humans or animals, he added.

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. – Motorists who fail to stop for the flashing red lights of a school bus are the focus of National School Bus Safety Week, Oct. 16 to 20, and the California Highway Patrol.

The theme of National School Bus Safety Week, “#STOP ON RED!” conveys an important message in California.

Motorists who do not stop for the flashing red lights and crossing arm of a school bus put students and drivers in danger.

More children are killed during loading and unloading, while outside the school bus, than while riding the bus. California has not had a pupil passenger fatality in 22 years, since 1995.

“Taking the bus is by far the safest way for children to get to school,” acting CHP Commissioner Warren Stanley said. “Safety is no accident. Bus drivers, parents, students, and our officers all contribute to the safety record.”

The CHP began the Vehicles Improperly Passing a School Bus (VIPS) enforcement project in February 2017 following studies and input from the California Department of Education and California Association of School Transportation Officials.

The VIPS project is designed to educate drivers and pedestrians that motorists must stop when the flashing red lights and crossing arm on a school bus are activated.

The VIPS project also encourages people to report drivers who illegally pass a school bus.

Officers of the CHP work closely with California schools to educate motorists, students, and parents on ways to stay safe.

More than 32,000 school bus drivers transport more than one million students each year in California, traveling approximately 278 million miles.

The CHP is also responsible for inspecting more than 24,000 school buses each year.
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With more than 7,000 structures damaged or destroyed, residents in several counties across northern and southern California are leaving evacuation centers to access what they've lost and begin the long road to rebuild and recover.

Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones on Thursday announced preliminary data provided by eight California insurers processing claims for tens of thousands of policyholders.

While the numbers are expected to climb, as more claims are filed and processed, the preliminary data reflects $1.045 billion in losses, commercial and residential structures, personal and commercial vehicles, and agricultural equipment.

"These numbers are just the beginning of the story as one of the deadliest and costliest wildfire catastrophes in California's history," said Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones. "The tragic death of 42 people and over a billion in property losses are numbers-behind these numbers are thousands of people who've been traumatized by unfathomable loss. We must do all we can to ease their pain and help them recover and rebuild."

Commissioner Jones took extraordinary steps to assist wildfire victims by dispatching his consumer services team to every local assistance center to personally meet with consumers and help them begin the claims process and answer questions about department resources.

Last week he issued a notice to insurers asking them to expedite claims, by cutting through red tape and doing all they can do to help policyholders who are likely to have little or no documentation that insurers normally require.

Jones also signed a declaration of an emergency, which allows the insurers to tap
out-of-state claims adjusters from their other offices, which effectively expands their claims adjuster workforce. With tens of thousands of claims, this is an important step in increasing the claims processing capacity for insurers and helping speed the recovery and rebuilding process.

Jones also has an important caution for wildfire victims. Be careful to check the license of contractors who solicit business-this is done quickly on the Contractors State License Board using a smart device.

Public adjusters are restricted from soliciting business from residents until seven days after evacuation orders are lifted. Consumers that have any difficulty with their insurer will find the department's consumer services team stands ready to assist at 800-927-4357. The department has recovered more than $300 million dollars for consumers since Jones took office in 2011.

The commissioner is also monitoring the Santa Cruz fire that broke on Monday and threatens more than 300 homes.
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CLEARLAKE, Calif. – During a brief special meeting on Wednesday, the Clearlake City Council reaffirmed the appointment of the city’s health officer and ratified a local emergency proclamation in response to the Sulphur fire.

Four of the five council members were present for the seven-minute afternoon meeting. Councilwoman Joyce Overton was absent.

In the first of the two items on the agenda, the council reaffirmed the original 1992 appointment of Lake County Environmental Health as the local enforcement agency for the city.

City Manager Greg Folsom recommended that the council reaffirm the designation based on past practices.

As part of that, he said Lake County Health Officer Dr. Karen Tait will act as the city’s health officer.

The council approved the resolution 4-0.

Regarding the second item, Folsom said Tait had declared a local health emergency in response to the Sulphur fire, which began on Oct. 9. The fire on Wednesday evening remained at 2,207 acres, with containment up to 94 percent.

Folsom said the council is required to ratify the declaration and reconsider it every 14 days.

He said the Board of Supervisors ratified the local health emergency at its Tuesday meeting.

City Clerk Melissa Swanson said that the council would need to reconsider the declaration on Oct. 26 and again on Nov. 9.

Lake County Environmental Health Director Ray Ruminski told the council that the local health emergency proclamation helps qualify for state and federal funding for all sorts of tasks associated with the fire cleanup, including removal of hazardous waste and materials in the burn area.

Ruminski said the proclamation also authorizes agents of the government to enter private property and remove hazards in certain cases without consent.

“We believe the hazards are real and imminent and that time is of the essence,” he Ruminski said.

The council ratified the declaration with a unanimous vote.

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 week and a half into the effort to extinguish the Sulphur fire, containment on the fire went up again during the course of the day on Wednesday, while officials also reported a growth in the estimated acreage on the Redwood fire in neighboring Mendocino County.

Cal Fire said the Sulphur fire was up to 94-percent containment by Wednesday evening, with its size remaining at 2,207 acres.

The Sulphur fire is being managed as part of the Mendocino Lake Complex, which includes the Redwood fire in Potter and Redwood valleys.

The Redwood fire was up by nearly 800 acres to 36,523 acres on Wednesday, with containment at 80 percent, Cal Fire said.

Cal Fire said the perimeter is holding on the two fires, with crews improving direct and indirect containment lines and mopping up. Fire suppression repair is under way.

Community members are asked to be mindful of the emergency equipment and personnel still working on the fires and urged to use caution when traveling around the fire areas.

Across the complex, 447 homes have been destroyed, of which 136 are reported to be in the Sulphur fire. Neither of the complex’s fires are threatening any other structures, Cal Fire said.

The number of fatalities remains at eight, according to Cal Fire.

Assigned resources include 1,493 firefighters, 63 engines, 16 water tenders, two helicopters, 47 hand crews and 13 dozers, based on Cal Fire’s Wednesday night report.

The agency continues to estimate that the entire complex will be fully contained by Nov. 1.

The Central LNU Complex in Napa and Sonoma counties, which continued to send large amounts of smoke into Lake County’s air basin on Wednesday, was at 105,080 acres on Wednesday night, Cal Fire said.

Cal Fire said the complex includes the Tubbs fire, 36,432 acres and 91-percent contained; the Pocket fire, 14,225 acres, 63-percent contained; and the Sonoma Nuns fire, 34,398 acres, and Napa Nuns fire, 20,025 acres, with containment on the two fires at 80 percent.

Officials on Wednesday said the number of structures destroyed in the fire was up to 5,791, with 2,435 structures still threatened.

Total deaths that have occurred in the complex rose to 23 on Wednesday, Cal Fire said.

Cal Fire said the massive force working the fire grew again on Wednesday, with 5,755 personnel, 550 engines, 60 water tenders, 32 helicopters, 10 air tankers, 106 hand crews and 87 dozers assigned.

Firefighters working on the Southern LNU Complex in Napa and Solano counties kept the size at 51,064 acres on Wednesday evening, with Cal Fire reporting containment was up to 84 percent.

That fire has destroyed 431 structures and continues to threaten 876 more, Cal Fire said.

The Southern LNU Complex still has a sizable resource allocation working it, including 2,869 personnel, 268 engines, 30 water tenders, 13 helicopters, 60 crews and 17 dozers, according to Cal Fire.

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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California Department of Public Health Director and State Health Officer Dr. Karen Smith is advising residents of recently burned areas to use caution in cleaning up ash from recent wildfires.

Ash from trees burned in wildfires is relatively nontoxic and similar to ash that might be found in your fireplace.

However, ash from burned homes and other items will likely contain metals, chemicals, and potentially asbestos, items that may be considered toxic if breathed in or touched with wet skin.

“As the cleanup process begins and people return to burned areas, it is important to be aware of potential health hazards, understand how to reduce risks, and know when to seek medical attention,” said Dr. Smith.

If ash is inhaled, it can be irritating to the nose, throat and lungs. Exposure to airborne ash may trigger asthmatic attacks in people who already have the respiratory condition.

In order to avoid possible health problems, the following steps are recommended for people in burned areas with ash:

· Do not allow children to play in ash or be in an area where ash-covered materials are being disturbed. Wash ash off toys before children play with them. Clean ash off pets.

· Wear a tight-fitting N95 or P100 respirator mask, gloves, long-sleeved shirts, and long pants when cleaning up ash. Avoid skin contact. If you do get ash on your skin, wash it off immediately. Some wet ash can cause chemical burns.

· Avoid getting ash into the air as much as possible, for example, by avoiding sweeping it up dry. Use water and wet cloth or a mop to clean items and surfaces. Do not use leaf blowers or take other actions that will put ash into the air.

· Shop vacuums and other common vacuum cleaners do not filter out small particles. They blow such particles out the exhaust into the air where they can be inhaled. The use of shop vacuums and other non-HEPA filter vacuums is not recommended. HEPA filter vacuums could be used, if available.

“Residents should seek medical care if they experience health issues such as chest pain, chest tightness or shortness of breath. It is especially important to monitor children and young adults as they may be more susceptible to the health and emotional effects of fire recovery,” said Dr. Smith.

Avoid breathing wildfire smoke

Smoke from wildfires can cause eye and respiratory irritation and some more serious disorders, including reduced lung function and bronchitis. Breathing smoke can also make asthma symptoms worse.

In areas where wildfires are still burning, people should stay indoors and reduce outdoor activity. People who must be outdoors for long periods, in areas with heavy smoke, or where ash is disturbed, should wear an N95 respirator mask.

Those with underlying respiratory, lung or heart problems should limit their exposure by staying indoors.

Since wearing a respirator can make it harder to breathe, those with lung or heart problems should ask their doctor before using one.

Visit CDPH’s Web site for more information on how you can protect yourself during a wildfire and the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services for more information on the hazardous debris, and wildfire recovery.
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CLEARLAKE, Calif. – On Wednesday officials with the city of Clearlake, the county of Lake, Cal Fire and numerous other agencies held the initial community recovery meeting regarding the Sulphur fire.

The hour-and-a-half-long meeting took place at Clearlake City Hall.

The discussion involved aspects of the response to the Sulphur fire and the beginning of the recovery process.

The full video of the meeting can be seen above.
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Marcus John Iano, 42, of Hidden Valley Lake, Calif., is charged with the attempted murder of his girlfriends on Friday, October 13, 2017. Lake County Jail photo.

HIDDEN VALLEY LAKE, Calif. – A Hidden Valley Lake man is in custody after authorities say he attempted to kill his girlfriend.

Marcus John Iano, 42, was arrested late Friday night, according to a report from Lt. Corey Paulich of the Lake County Sheriff’s Office.

On Friday evening an unresponsive adult female was brought Adventist Health Hospital in Clearlake for a report of a possible overdose, Paulich said.

Paulich said the woman was transported to the hospital by her boyfriend Marcus Iano and his mother, Susan Iano, who left the woman at the hospital but returned later.

At approximately 6:30 p.m. Friday deputies were notified that an exam found evidence that the female had a foreign body in her brain, indicating a possible bullet wound or similar injury, according to Paulich’s report.

He said the victim was unconscious and was flown to an outside area hospital for further treatment for life-threatening injuries.

The Lake County Sheriff’s Office Major Crimes Detectives were called to the hospital to investigate, Paulich said.

As a result of the investigation and subsequent search warrant served at Marcus Iano’s home in Hidden Valley Lake, Iano was placed under arrest for attempted murder. Paulich said Iano was transported to the Lake County Jail where he was booked for that charge.

As of Wednesday the victim was alive but Paulich said it’s unknown if she will recover from her injuries.

Marcus Iano is currently being held at the Lake County Jail with a bail amount set at $1.5 million.

Chief Deputy District Attorney Richard Hinchcliff told Lake County News that Iano made his first court appearance in the case on Tuesday. At that time, he was arraigned on charges of attempted murder, mayhem and torture.

Hinchcliff said Iano should be back in court early next week for further proceedings.

Paulich said the investigation is still ongoing.

Anyone with information regarding this investigation is asked to contact Lake County Sheriff’s Office Det. Shamus Stafford at 707-262-4231 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
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LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – The wildland fires that have wrought devastation across California over the past two weeks are nearing full containment, according to Cal Fire.

Cal Fire on Thursday reported more gains on the fires, which statewide have destroyed or damaged more than 7,700 structures and killed 42 people.

California Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones on Thursday announced preliminary data provided by eight California insurers processing claims for tens of thousands of policyholders from around the state.

While the numbers are expected to climb, Jones said the preliminary data reflects $1.045 billion in losses, commercial and residential structures, personal and commercial vehicles, and agricultural equipment.

In Lake County, Cal Fire’s Thursday evening report explained that containment on the Sulphur fire remained throughout the day at 96 percent. The fire’s size, 2,207 acres, has been unchanged throughout this week.

The fire is being managed by Cal Fire as part of the Mendocino Lake Complex, which includes the Redwood fire in Potter and Redwood valleys in Mendocino County.

Overall containment on the complex reached 90 percent on Thursday, the same containment number given for the Redwood fire, which remains at 36,523 acres, Cal Fire said.

Cal Fire said the entire complex, burning since Oct. 9, is expected to be fully contained on Nov. 1.

The death toll remains at eight, all of the casualties having occurred in the Redwood fire. One firefighter injury has been reported throughout the entire complex.

Cal Fire said fire activity remained minimal during the day as crews worked to extinguish hot spots and improve containment lines.

Fire suppression repair also is continuing in an effort to minimize the effects of the damage caused by the complex, according to Cal Fire.

By Thursday evening, light rain was moving over the region, with forecasters anticipating more rain on Friday.

Damage assessment across the fire area also was completed as of Thursday, Cal Fire said.

Cal Fire’s report on damage includes 447 single-family residences destroyed and another 21 damaged, two commercial structures damaged, 252 minor structures destroyed and 29 other structures damaged.

The damage assessment in Lake County includes 168 structures destroyed, which included 136 residences, 27 outbuildings, two commercial buildings and three structures listed as “other.”

Resources that remained assigned to the Mendocino Lake Complex on Thursday include 1,241 personnel, 61 engines, 14 water tenders, one helicopter, 34 hand crews and 14 bulldozers.

In neighboring Napa and Sonoma counties, the work to extinguish the Central LNU Complex continued on Thursday.

Total acreage on the complex, burning since Oct. 8, reached 107,407 acres on Thursday, Cal Fire said.

The Central LNU Complex includes the Tubbs fire, 36,432 acres, 92-percent contained; the Pocket fire, 16,552 acres, 80-percent contained; and the Sonoma Nuns fire, 34,398 acres, and Napa Nuns fire, 20,025 acres, 84-percent containment for both fires, according to Cal Fire’s report.

Cal Fire said the death toll on the complex stands at 23, with no firefighter injuries reported.

The complex has destroyed 6,492 structures and damaged another 381, with Cal Fire reporting that 155 structures remain threatened.

A huge firefighting force continues to work on the complex, including 4,915 personnel, 489 engines, 57 water tenders, 19 helicopters, 106 hand crews and 58 dozers.

Cal Fire has pushed back the estimate for full containment to Oct. 24.

The Southern LNU Complex, which began on the night of Oct. 8 in Napa and Solano counties, was at 51,624 acres and 86-percent containment on Thursday evening, Cal Fire said.

The complex has destroyed 445 residences and damaged 78 others; 19 commercial structures were destroyed and 11 damaged, and 277 miscellaneous structures were destroyed. Cal Fire said 862 structures remain threatened.

Cal Fire said 2,572 firefighters, 208 engines, 28 water tenders, 13 helicopters, 58 hand crews and 15 bulldozers continuing to work the incident.

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. – As a service to property owners impacted by the Sulphur fire, the county of Lake has requested that the California Department of Toxic Substances Control start the first phase of the household hazardous wastes removal process, which will begin as soon as possible.

Lake County Environmental Health and the Department of Toxic Substances Control will work with any property owners who have questions or concerns regarding this work.

State workers will enter properties and remove household hazardous wastes from burned homes in the impacted areas of Sulphur fire. This service is only for those affected by the fire.

This effort is being conducted free of charge to protect the health of residents, clean-up crews the community and the environment.

Household hazardous waste has to be handled separately from other burn debris and may not go into local landfills.

Residents are strongly urged to leave all household hazardous wastes in place and are encouraged to not remove any such materials or damaged containers from their properties.

household hazardous wastes include unused or leftover portions of products used in your home that contain toxic chemicals, including products labeled caution, warning, danger, poison, toxic, flammable or corrosive are considered hazardous.

Examples of household hazardous wastes to be removed are antifreeze, solvents, auto batteries, auto fluids, used oil and oil filters, household cleaners, fertilizer, pesticides, aerosols, latex/oil-based paint, pool chemicals and propane tanks (less than 30 gallons).

Contact Lake County Environmental Health at 707-263-1164 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for any questions or concerns about the household hazardous removal process.

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