LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – The city of Clearlake and partners including Cal Fire are beginning a major vegetation removal project on a property that has been the site of illegal dumping, homeless camps and wildland fires.
City officials said the project’s initial focus will be on several parcels totaling approximately 31 acres to the east and south of the Walmart shopping center that have been “a continuing public nuisance area” in the city for years.
The parcels – 15900, 15910, 15920 and 15970 Dam Road – are owned by RM Clearlake LLC and are located next to the shopping center where Walmart, Tractor Supply and Big 5 are located. The company had originally intended to use the land for a second phase of the Walmart development.
“This property is one of the several large swaths of undeveloped area within the city boundary that has become overgrown resulting in increased fire danger and attractiveness for illegal activity,” said City Manager Alan Flora. “Residents of the area have been evacuated due to an active fire threat multiple times over the past few years and so we appreciate all the efforts and partnership of the various agencies, particularly Cal Fire, to address this public nuisance.”
In February, the Clearlake City Council unanimously approved an agreement with RM Clearlake LLC to lease the properties for $1 a year with an initial term of two years, as Lake County News has reported.
Flora proposed the lease idea to the council, explaining that Cal Fire could partner in cleaning up the land if it was considered to be held in public ownership.
On Thursday, Flora reported that the project is taking place as part of a partnership between the city of Clearlake, Cal Fire, the Lake County Fire Protection District, the Clear Lake Environmental Research Center and various city departments.
This week, city Public Works and Code Enforcement crews have been cleaning up debris on the property in preparation for Cal Fire’s work, Flora said.
“I believe most of that work is pretty much complete,” Flora said of that prep work in his report to the Clearlake City Council at its Thursday night meeting.
Cal Fire has acquired equipment that it will use for fire mitigation efforts. Beginning on Tuesday, April 6, Cal Fire will spend four days cleaning up the property, Flora said.
“It’s exciting to finally see that happen,” Flora said, adding that Cal Fire has been a great partner in the project.
Cal Fire also will conduct equipment operator training from Tuesday, April 6, through Thursday, April 8, at the site, Flora reported.
Because of the nature of the grinding work that Cal Fire will be doing on the property, Flora said the city will temporarily close a section of Dam Road in order to protect the public from potential flying debris as a result of the mitigation activity.
That closure will take place from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday, April 6, and Wednesday, April 7, on the section of Dam Road that stretches from south of Jack in the Box to just north of the Dam Road/Lake Street intersection, the city reported in a Thursday announcement.
The city said community members will need to use an alternate route during this temporary closure. In addition, there may be certain areas of the parking lots near Walmart and the other retailers that will be temporarily closed to ensure a safe zone from the mitigation work.
Flora told the council that Cal Fire has committed to coming back later in the season to do more work at the site.
Once the work to clear the property of brush and debris is complete, Flora said the Clearlake Public Works Department will install concrete K-rail barriers around the area to prevent future dumping and trespassing.
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City of Clearlake, Cal Fire set to begin cleanup project on Dam Road property
- Elizabeth Larson
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