LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — The Habematolel Pomo tribe of Upper Lake has made a substantial donation to increase the Northshore Fire Protection District’s ability to respond to fires.

The tribe has donated $662,000 to Northshore Fire.

The contribution is a part of the Habematolel Pomo of Upper Lake’s ongoing commitment to local communities and residents in the region.

“The Northshore Fire Protection District thanks the Habematolel Pomo of Upper Lake for their financial support in developing the newly organized Northshore Fire Fuels Crew,” said Northshore Fire Protection District Chief Mike Ciancio.

“The Habematolel has always been a huge supporter of the local community and with the latest financial support we were able to employ 11 new members full time with health insurance and retirement benefits,” Ciancio said.

In addition to funding personnel, Northshore Fire used the donation to fund equipment.

That equipment includes two F-350 crew cab utility trucks, one F-350 crew supervisor truck with skid mount pump unit, one Mobark chipper with a trailer, six chainsaws, two pole saws and 11 sets of wildland fire personal protective equipment.