KELSEYVILLE, Calif. – Authorities said early Friday afternoon that Riviera West and Riviera Heights residents who evacuated on Thursday due to the Golf fire can now return home.
Lt. Rich Ward of the Lake County Sheriff’s Office told Lake County News just after 1 p.m. Friday that the all-clear had been given for repopulation of the two communities, where dozens of homes had been threatened after the Golf fire began burning up the face of Mount Konocti on Thursday afternoon.
The fire on Friday afternoon remained at an estimated 33 acres, with containment at 30 percent, according to Cal Fire.
The fire’s close proximity caused the sheriff’s office to place Riviera West under evacuation order on Thursday afternoon, with an evacuation warning issued shortly afterward for Riviera Heights.
Power had been shut off to the Riviera West subdivision on Thursday, and Pacific Gas and Electric reported that the power to all 260 customers was restored earlier Friday afternoon, ahead of the repopulation.
With the evacuation order lifted for Riviera West, the evacuation warning for nearby Riviera Heights also was lifted early Friday afternoon, Ward said.
Ward said Soda Bay Road will remain closed from Little Borax Road to Crystal Drive for emergency personnel in the area. However, other road closures in the area have been lifted.
The Lake County Sheriff’s Office asked area residents to do the following when they return home:
– Be alert for downed power lines and other hazards.
– Check propane tanks, regulators and lines before turning gas on if it has been turned off.
– Check water lines before turning them back on if they previously were shut off.
– Check your residence carefully for hidden embers or smoldering fires.
– Check pilot lights.
– Be cognizant of emergency traffic and first responders in the immediate area.
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.
Golf fire update: Riviera West, Riviera Heights residents allowed to return home
- Elizabeth Larson
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