Note: This post will receive no further updates as of October 1. Please tune in to KPFZ Sunday afternoons from 2-4 PM for relevant timely information about the fire recovery.
The River and Ranch fires have been combined by Cal Fire into a grouping known as the Mendocino Complex. The River Fire, which started near Hopland, and the Ranch Fire, which started near Potter Valley, have now caused evacuations in Lake, Colusa, and Glenn Counties. Meanwhile, other fires have caused much damage, with smoke spreading all over Northern California.
Moving Forward
Disaster Recovery Center
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) had a recovery center operating in Upper Lake, at 9470 Main Street. As of August 27, its hours were Monday through Saturday, 9:00AM to 6:00 PM. You can also reach FEMA at (800) 621-FEMA. They also operate mobile centers on an ad-hoc basis. A FEMA representative had been on KPFZ daily at 9:00 AM.
Local Assistance Center
There was a Local Assistance Center for people affected by the fires. It was at the Lucerne Alpine Senior Center, 3985 Country Club Drive, Lucerne. Hours will be from 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM, Friday August 10th through Friday August 17th.
Many organizations were there to provide for your needs, including:
- American Red Cross
- North Coast Opportunities
- Habitat for Humanity
- United Methodist Church
- Veteran’s Services
- Lake County Environmental Health
- Lake County Behavioral Health
- Lake County Social Services
- Lake County Public Services
- Social Security Administration
Evacuations & Road Closures
All mandatory evacuations and evacuation advisories have been lifted However, the Mendocino National Forest around the fire zone is closed.
Property owners can acquire a permit to visit their property by bringing proof of ownership to the Mendocino National Forest, Upper Lake Ranger District, 10025 Elk Mountain Road, Upper Lake, CA 95485. Their phone is 707-275-2361.
Further information
Note that the air in the County is still unhealthy. Please stay indoors, avoid physical exertion, and wear a particulate mask to protect your lungs.
Government Agencies & Affiliates
- Cal Fire incident pages:
http://www.fire.ca.gov/current_incidents/incidentdetails/Index/2178
& http://www.fire.ca.gov/current_incidents/incidentdetails/Index/2164 - Cal Fire Mendocino Unit Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/CALFIREMEU/
- Lake County Sheriff: http://www.lakesheriff.com/
- Sheriff Dispatch: 707-263-2690. Emergencies: 911.
- Nixle Alerts: http://www.lakesheriff.com/Services/nixle.htm
- Lake County Office of Emergency Services Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/LakeCountyOES/
- Emergency Operations Center information line: 707-263-3450
- Lake County Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/lakecountycagov/
- National Interagency Fire Center Maps: https://ftp.nifc.gov/public/incident_specific_data/calif_n/!CALFIRE/2018_Incidents/CA-MEU-008674_Mendocino_Complex/GIS/Products/ . Select the folder with the most recent date, then choose a map. You might find that the most useful maps are the PIO Maps. You may also browse around the site for information regarding other fires.
- A detailed list of road closures and other information is being compiled at http://cityoflakeport.com
- The status of State Highways can be checked at: http://www.dot.ca.gov/cgi-bin/roads.cgi
- Fire Recovery Mendocino: https://www.mendocinocounty.org/community/fire-recovery
Telephone hotline: (707) 263-8964
News Organizations
- Lake County News: http://www.lakeconews.com/
- Lake County Record-Bee: http://www.record-bee.com/
- Record-Bee Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/recordbee/
Crowdsourced News
- https://www.facebook.com/lakecountywildfires/
- MendoLake Complex Fire Relief: https://www.facebook.com/pg/FireReliefUkiahUnit
- Norcal Fireweather Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1852314638119619/
- Northern California Firestorm Update: https://www.facebook.com/groups/586292148428439/
- Potter Valley/Redwood Valley Fire 2017 -- Mendocino Lake Complex: https://www.facebook.com/groups/137808643522190/?fref=nf
- Mendocino Voice: https://www.facebook.com/MendoVoice/?hc_ref=ARROhHIZcnzd0WB6AXptmexXjuUXrTMtV4c3-CNQTW3-8xM0NJK1SdPMRgm4iXIC1ro&fref=nf
- Public Safety Scanner: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1380751932017407/?hc_ref=ARTARmGAnekDCJT9W1pfYfcpSdkDHYGV-DxZntnbu7IatamJjB2u0SWMnZ7iqf1ezsA
- On the Scanner Lake County: https://www.facebook.com/OnTheScannerLakeCounty/
- Lake County Scanner News: https://www.facebook.com/scannernews/
- South Lake County Scanner News: https://www.facebook.com/SLCScannerNews/
- Lake County CA Scanner & Adults Gone Wild: https://www.facebook.com/groups/432625273595197/?fref=nf
- Lake County Scanner And Community Awareness With A Touch Of Adult Humor: https://www.facebook.com/groups/772492909552412/
- Lake County Community Awareness: https://www.facebook.com/groups/183017831844038/?hc_ref=ARTLi9S2OEUpG8diu01LDspBIc7hloI01SMHNJTpOpHNGR4bjuLF_Ax6R5_h-5UTBLs
Also
- Camera on Mount Konocti: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qhgI3HY_2t4&feature=player_embedded
- Prevent & Prepare for Fires: http://wildlandfirersg.org/
- Weather forecast: http://www.intellicast.com/Local/Weather.aspx?location=USCA0586
- Wind forecast: https://www.windy.com/?39.096,-123.003,11
- Satellite infrared heat map: https://maps.nwcg.gov/sa/#/%3F/39.1377/-122.9968/11
- Air quality map: https://www.airnow.gov
- Recent satellite imagery: https://worldview.earthdata.nasa.gov/
- Firefighting Aircraft Recognition Guide: http://www.fire.ca.gov/communications/downloads/AviationGuide_FINAL_webbooklet.pdf
- Planespotting site: https://flighttracker24.net/
Please use caution when interpreting the data from these maps. No data source is perfect.
Some of these pages may require logging in and joining a group to view.
Note that many sites are unofficial, and even official sources sometimes pass on incorrect information during the chaos of an emergency, while other information may be outdated. You should verify any information you receive to the best of your ability before acting on it.
If you know of any sources which you believe belong here, or have any comments regarding any of these information sources, please visit http://kpfz.org/contact , and choose "I want to discuss the station Website (Webmaster)".
General Announcements
If you don't have your paper prescriptions, pharmacists are empowered to give reasonable quantities of refils on a good faith basis during emergencies. The empty bottle or your doctor's name will help establish trust.
If you are evacuated, your mail will be available at the Clearlake post office. Once your mandatory evacuation has been lifted, your mail will be transferred to your normal post office. Expect a delay of a couple of days before it arrives.
The Lake County Board of Supervisors wants to hear your concerns during this difficult time. Here's how to find them:
- District 1 (Middletown) supervisor Moke Simon: (707) 533-9615
- District 2 (Clearlake) supervisor Jeff Smith: (707) 272-3829
- District 3 (North shore) supervistor Jim Steele: (707) 295-6198
- District 4 (Lakeport) supervisor Tina Scott: (707) 849-4414
- District 5 (K-ville) supervisor Rob Brown: (707) 349-2628
Many of you are feeling stress at this time to a degree that you have not experienced before. Lake County Behavioral Health maintains a 24 hour hotline for those who need someone to talk to, or who would like to be directed to more comprehensive services, at (800) 900-2075. There is also a National Disaster Distress Hotline at (800) 985 5990.