Golf fire acreage up; authorities prepare for repopulation
- Elizabeth Larson
- Posted On
KELSEYVILLE, Calif. – Firefighters are continuing to work to fully contain a fire on Mount Konocti while authorities prepare to let residents of an evacuated area return home.
The latest report on the Golf fire in Kelseyville, released Friday morning, put the incident’s size up to 33 acres, with containment remaining at 30 percent, according to Cal Fire.
Cal Fire said it anticipates the fire will be contained later on Friday.
The fire began just before 1 p.m. Thursday on Soda Bay Road and Golf Drive. Cal Fire said the cause remains under investigation.
Despite the fire threatening an estimated 40 homes – prompting mandatory evacuations in Riviera West and an evacuation advisory in Riviera Heights – no structures have been damaged or destroyed, Cal Fire said.
Cal Fire said crews made good progress through the night despite the steep terrain, heavy timber and thick brush. Crews are advancing and strengthening containment lines continues throughout the day on Friday.
Resources on the incident were rolled back on Friday to 15 engines, three water tenders, three helicopters, five hand crews, two dozers and 155 firefighting personnel, based on Cal Fire’s report.
Riviera West remained under mandatory evacuation overnight, with officials reporting that residents are expected to be allowed to go home late on Friday afternoon. An evacuation shelter was opened for residents at Kelseyville High School.
During the height of the fire fight on Thursday, the power lines to Riviera West had been deenergized, as Lake County News has reported.
PG&E spokeswoman Deanna Contreras told Lake County News that, due to the proximity of the fire to PG&E electric infrastructure, fire officials had requested the company deenergize a section of line for the safety of firefighters and the surrounding community. She emphasized that it wasn’t a public safety power shutoff.
“Power to approximately 260 customers was affected yesterday afternoon,” Contreras said.
Before turning the power back on, PG&E spent Friday conducting an inspection of the area. Contreras said it was expected that power would be back on to the area by 12:30 p.m. Friday.
The Riviera Heights community is under an evacuation advisory, also still in effect until later Friday afternoon, officials said.
The Lake County Sheriff’s Office asked area residents to do the following when repopulation occurs:
– 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.
Lt. Rich Ward said road closures are remaining in place until Friday afternoon depending on the need for fire personnel, resources, equipment and PG&E personnel.
Closures are as follows (and are shown in the map above):
– Soda Bay Road at Riviera West Drive;
– Crystal Drive at Soda Bay Road;
– Soda Bay Road at Little Borax Lake Road;
– Greenway Drive at Little Borax Lake Road;
– Golf Drive at Greenway Drive;
– Madrone Drive at Soda Bay Road.
Soda Bay Road closure will be reevaluated Friday afternoon, Ward said.
Ward said Buckingham residents will only be allowed access via north Soda Bay Road through the community of Soda Bay into Buckingham.
Rivera West residents will only be allowed access via Highway 281 from the Clear Lake Riviera community side, he said.
Only emergency personnel and equipment will be allowed access between the communities of Buckingham and Riviera West, according to Ward.
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