Photo courtesy of Peter Armstrong 

Brief Update as of September 14, 2012.

According to the InciWeb information on this incident, Sept. 14 at 9am:

This North Pass Fire, which began on Saturday August 18, 2012, is now 97% contained and burned over a total of 41,983 acres. The estimated full containment date is Sunday September 16th, 2012, at  approximately 6:00 PM. A total of 26 structures have been destroyed and 4 have sustained damage in the fire. Roads nearand around the fire have remained closed and will remain so until hazards are removedand crews complete the repair of fire suppression efforts.

Brief Update as of September 6.

According to the  Cal Fire Web Page at 6:30 am: 41,983 acres have now burned with 68% containment at that time. Seven residences and 9 outbuildings  have been destroyed and 11 residences, 2 commercial properties & 16 outbuildings are considered threatened.

According to the InciWeb information on this incident, dated Sept. 6, 2012:

The forest closure remains in effect. Crews are holding and improving fire near Fly Creek. The fire continues to back down steep slopes on the northwest end into Stick Lake Canyon as crews construct fire line. The area of the fire perimeter to the south is being patrolled and mop-up efforts are continuing to take place. The evacuation order has been lifted for the majority of the Bauer subdivision. Indian Dick Road (Forest Road M-1) is open to Boardman Ridge Campground. Mendocino Pass Road (Forest HWY 7) is open to benchmark 2444 (second driveway entrance to Bauer subdivision) for residents only with a valid ID. Community Meeting is happening tonight at 7PM at Round Valley High School.

Brief Update as of September 5.

A Cal Fire press release received by KMUD News, dated Sept. 5, indicates that 41,983 acres have now burned with 65% containment at that time.

The following present conditions were also noted:

The fire has remained within its current perimeter.  Suppression repair has been completed on the western perimeter by CalFire.  Firefighters are mopping up the south and southeastern edges of the fire.  The fire line along Fly Creek is holding and is being improved.  The fire has reached the Middle Fork of the Eel River and remains at the riverbed.  Crews are working on actively burning spots in this area with water-dropping helicopters.  The northern portion of the fire continues to burn between Pothole Creek and Stick Lake Canyon.  This area is in the southern portion of the Yolla Bolly Wilderness.  Crews are remaining out overnight in this rugged country to work on fire line. The public is urged to avoid the exposure to smoke and limit activity outdoors, especially those with health problems. Evacuations have been lifted for the majority of the Bauer Ranch subdivision. The press release also states that, "Evacuations have been lifted for the following areas and residents are allowed back in with ID but Forest Roads remain closed to non-residents: Indian Dick Rd from FH 7 (Mendocino Pass Rd) to Boardman Camp FH 7 (Mendocino Pass Rd) from Eel River Workstation to benchmark 2444." For the general public a closure order remains in effect for the fire area, including all road closures.  Forest Highway 7 remains closed from Eel River Station to Mendocino Pass.

Additionally, the Cal Fire Web Page indicates that as of Sept. 5 at 6:30 am, nine outbuildings and seven residences have been destroyed and 1 residence, 2 commercial properties and 16 outbuildings are presently considered threatened. There have been nine injuries reported.

Update as of August 31, 2012 at 10:30 am - Use the player below to hear an interview with Stanley Bercovitz of the U.S. Forest Service and with a woman who chose not to evacuate.

An update from the Cal Fire Web Page, dated August 30, 2012 at 10:30 am, indicates that 34,308 acres have now burned with 37% containment at that time. Seven outbuildings and five residences have been destroyed and 23 residences, 5 commercial properties and 35 outbuildings are presently considered threatened. There have been seven injuries reported.

Evacuations have been lifted for the majority of the Bauer Ranch Subdivision. Evacuations are still in effect for: 1) Indian Dick Road (Forest Road M-1)- all areas north of the Forest Service gate at Boardman Ridge Campground, and 2) Mendocino Pass Road (Forest HWY 7)- all areas east of Benchmark 2444 (2nd driveway entrance to Bauer Ranch Subdivision) to Forest Road M-4.

Closures are still in effect for: 1) all areas of the Covelo Ranger District north of Mendocino Pass Road (Forest HWY 7) to the Six Rivers and Shasta-Trinity N.F. boundaries. (Forest closure order 08-12-13).  

Fire continues to spread north toward the Middle Fork of the Eel River, Hammerhorn Lake, Foster Glade and Asa Bean Ridge within the Yolla Bolly Middle Eel Wilderness, eastward toward Forest Road M2, and south toward Forest Highway 7. Firefighters continue to establish and improve containment lines while defending structures.

There is a Forest closure order for the northern two-thirds of the Covelo Ranger District.

Smoke Conditions: An air quality alert has been issued for the Covelo/Round Valley areas through Monday, August 27. Smoke concentrations in these areas have reached levels considered to be “Hazardous” under state and federal air quality standards.

Road closures: An area closure has been issued and posted for the area surrounding the North Pass fire. 

See Cal Fire Web Page for more details.

Use the player below to hear or download an interview with Stanley Bercovitz of the U.S. Forest Service and with a woman who chose not to evacuate. These interviews were  aired on KMUD Local News, Thurs., Aug. 30, 2012, by KMUD News Coordinator, Cynthia Elkins.

Update as of August 25, 2012- Photos provided by Cal Fire   

According to KMUD News, this Friday (Aug. 24, 2012) morning, Calfire clarified the fire movement saying the fire is now called the North Pass Complex and is technically two separate fires in same area.   The Pass 1 Fire has burned into the Mendocino National Forest.   Meanwhile, the Pass 2 Fire is burning east toward the Pass 1 Fire, and according to the USFS is still also moving through timber in the Yolla Bolly Middle Eel Wilderness.

An Update from the Cal Fire Web Page, dated August 25, 2012 at 9:45 AM, indicated that 24,199 acres have now burned with 32% containment at that time.Two outbuildings have been destroyed and 75 residences, 5 commercial properties and 80 outbuildings are presently considered threatened. There have been three injuries reported.

There are Mandatory Evacuations in effect for:
Indian Dick Road, east of the Town of Covelo, all residents on Indian Dick Road from the intersection of Mendocino Pass Road north, to the Trinity County Line and East to theTehama County Line. This order includes all residences and USFS campsites at Howard Lake Campground, Little Doe Campground, and Hammerhorn Lake Campground and all USFS WildernessTrailheads at Blands Cove, Hell Hole, Stick Lake, Foster Glade, Asa Bean, Rock Cabin, Georges Valley, Soldier Ridge, Smokehouse Ridge and Green Springs.

A community meeting will be held at Black Butte River Ranch (34985 Etsel Ridge Road, Covelo) at 5:00 PM today, August 25.

The fire continues to spread to the East to Forest Road M2, South towards Anthony’s Ridge, North to Cedar Springs Ridge and Northeast towards Pothole Creek and Steel Bench.For the next 48 hours, the fire is projected to have limited movementnorth towards Castle Peak and Red Rock and continue to move east to Forest Road M2 and South toward Anthony Ridge.Firefighters continue to establish and improve containment lines while defending structures.

Smoke Conditions: An air quality alert has been issued for the Covelo/Round Valley areas through Monday, August 27. Smoke concentrations in these areas have reached levelsconsidered to be “Hazardous” under state and federal air quality standards. .

Road closures: An area closure has been issued and posted for the area surrounding the North Pass fire. Please check www.fs.usda.gov/mendocino or inciweb.org for more information.

Anyone displaced by this evacuation order can contact the American Red Cross for housing assistance at (707) 463-0112 or (855) 891-7325.  Residents with questions about the fire can call the CAL FIRE Information Line: (707) 456-1810

Friday August 24 on the KMUD Local News, KMUD News Coordinator, Terri Klemetson, spoke with Pia McKizik, a ranch owner in the Pass Road and Twin Rock Ridge area. Use the player below to play or download the audio clip.

Photo provided by Cal Fire

Update as of August 24, 2012

Information posted this morning on the Cal Fire web page regarding the "North Pass Fires" indicates that of Fri. Aug. 24 at 10:15 AM this fire has burned 20,775 acres and is 18% contained.Two outbulding sturctures have been destroyed and 75 residences, 5 commercial properties and 80 outbuildings are considered threatened.There have been three reported injuries. Photos in this update were provided by Cal Fire.

Mandatory evacuations in effect are as follows:
Indian Dick Road, east of the Town of Covelo, all residents on Indian Dick Road from the intersection of Mendocino Pass Road north, to the Trinity County Line and East to the Tehama County Line. This order includes all residences and USFS campsites at Howard Lake Campground, Little Doe Campground, and Hammerhorn Lake Campground and all USFS Wilderness Trailheads at Blands Cove, Hell Hole, Stick Lake, Foster Glade, Asa Bean, Rock Cabin, Georges Valley, Soldier Ridge, Smokehouse Ridge and Green Springs.

According to the update:
The fire is actively burning in heavy timber into the Yolla Bolly Middle Eel Wilderness. The fire continues to spread to the East to Forest Road M1, South towards Anthony’s Ridge, North to Cedar Springs Ridge and Northeast towards Pothole Creek and Steel Bench. Good progress was made on the West and Southwest perimeter of the fire along, Asa Bean Road. Fire moved to within 1/2 mile of Anthony Ridge along the Buck Creek drainage. Firefighters continue to establish and improve containment lines while defending structures.

Smoke Conditions: Smoke is likely to be especially heavy in the Covelo/Round Valley areas. Smoke concentrations in these areas have reached levels considered to be ‘Hazardous’ under state and federal air quality standards. Conditions are expected to remain unchanged tomorrow and at least the next few days.

Road closures: An area closure has been issued and posted for the area surrounding the North Pass fire. Please check www.fs.usda.gov/mendocino or inciweb.org for more information.

 On Wed., Aug. 22 edition of the KMUD Local News, KMUD News Coordinator, Terri Klemetson covered the mandatory evacuation required as a result of this fire, including information from Mendocino County Sheriff Tom Allman - this segment also includes Sheriff Allman discussing the Constitutional Sheriffs and Peace Officers Association recent Support Rural America Forum.  On last night's edition (August 23, 2012) of KMUD local news News, Terri Klemetson, interviewed a citizen who helped his mother evacuate her house located at the Bower Ranch Subdivision on Anthony’s Ridge. Use the players below to hear or download the audio clips of these news stories.

Pass Fire evacuations and Mendocino Co. Sheriff Allman talks about the Constitutional Sheriffs and Peace Officers Association recent Support Rural America Forum

Rural homeowners east of Covelo evacuate

"Shaded Parcels", a term used to indicate parcels that have been shaded in on a map with pencil by Humboldt County Planning Department Staff denoting uncertain legal status, are once again in the news. Earlier this summer Humboldt County sent notifications to 25 property owners in the Seely Creek area, between Redway and Briceland, informing them that their parcels appear to be illegally subdivided. Subsequently around ten of those land owners met with Planning Department Staff at the Planning Department Office in Eureka.

In a story airing on August 24, 2012, KMUD Reporter Daniel Mintz discusses the issue and interviews Interim Planning and Building Department Director Martha Spencer. Use the player below to hear or download the audio clip.

In-Home Health Care Workers, known as In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) Workers, have been in wage and benefit negotiations with Humboldt County for almost a year and a half with no reslution to this point. IHSS Workers are asking for a wage increase from the minimum wage of $8.00 an hour to $9.50, and additionally are asking for health benefits and union recognition.The group is calling for Humboldt County residents to contact Supervisors to voice support for their cause.   

According to the Humboldt County Department of Health and Human Services Web Page: "In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) is a program directed by the California Department of Social Services (CDSS) that provides aid to blind, aged, and disabled individuals who are unable to remain safely in their own home without the aid of a care provider. In Humboldt County, The Department of Health and Human Services Social Services Branch manages the IHSS program. Humboldt County In-Home Supportive Services is committed to having elders, disabled adults and disabled children in Humboldt County live to their highest personal potential in the least restrictive environment. Designed as an alternative to out-of-home care such as nursing homes, the Humboldt County IHSS program has a team of Social Workers, Public Health Nurses, Mental Health Clinicians, Eligibility Workers, and Vocational Assistants that work together in determining the needs and eligibility of the applicant."

Additional Resources on this Issue:
California United Home Care Workers - http://www.cuhw.org/

KMUD News Coordinator Terri Klemetson recently aired two pieces related to this story. The first which aired on KMUD Local News on August 23, 2012 includes an interview with Margaret Lewis, one of the negotiators for the IHSS workers.The second, airing on August 24, 2012, contained information about the issue from Mark Lovelace, Humboldt County District 3 Supervisor. Use the players below to hear or download these audio clips.

Interview with Margaret Lewis

Interview with Mark Lovelace

"Shaded Parcels" have been in the news recently in Humboldt County. According to an article in the Times Standard, "Parcels become shaded when the planning department finds that a lot has been recorded for taxes with the assessor's office, but not for development with planning staff. Planners then “shade” the parcel on a map with a pencil to indicate its uncertain legal status. Parcel owners must record their property with both departments to have it considered a legal parcel."

On the August 23, 2012 edition of the KMUD Local News, Terri KLemetson, KMUD News Coordinator, interviewed Eric Kirk, a local attorney who is representing some of the property owners affected by the recent notifications of shaded property status sent out by the Humboldt County Planning Department.

Use the player below to hear or download an audio clip of this story.

The old cliché, "When life gives you lemons...make lemonade!" was brought to life last Friday at the Garberville Farmers' Market when students from Redway Elementary School set up a lemonade stand at the Farmers’ Market in Garberville to raise money for their school.
The last three years of California education budget cuts have hit schools hard. Governor Brown has proposed another series of "trigger cuts" if the Tax Initiative, California Proposition 30, doesn't get the votes required to pass this November. Locally, there have been efforts by parents and community members to raise money for school programs and recently students from Redway Elementary School have gotten involved.

News Coordinator, Terri Klemetson, aired this news piece on the August 10, 2012 edition of the KMUD local news. Use the player below to hear the story.

Use the links below to get more Information about the November Tax Initiative:                    

• Ballotpedia description of the Ballot Initiative
• CBS San Francisco coverage of the Tax Initiative
• UC Newsroom coverage of U.C. Regents endorsement of the Tax Initiative
• California Secretary of State Web Page showing the November 2012 Statewide Ballot Measures

According to a Press Release from the Eel River Recovery Project, dated August 10, 2012:

At the same time the Eel River Chinook salmon run is resurging to levels not seen in 50 years, stream margins in dry years are becoming toxic to humans and animals due to blue green algae blooms. Although toxic conditions have not formed since 2009, eleven dog deaths have been documented by the Humboldt County Department of Public Health (HCDPH) that are attributed to toxic algae dating back to 2001, mostly in the South Fork Eel and lower Van Duzen River. Citizens of Fortuna and Redway expressed extreme concern about the public health risk posed by toxic algae at community forums in early September 2011 sponsored by the Trees Foundation. In response to this community need and others, the Eel River Recovery Project (ERRP) was formed and citizens are currently monitoring different river reaches as an early warning system to protect public health.

Humboldt County Public Health staff Harriet Hill samples toxic algae on the SF Eel River at Phillipsville in August 2009:   

The toxic algae problem is relatively new to the Eel River, but it is not unique in the region. It seems that water bodies out of ecological balance are subject to colonization by toxic blue green algae throughout the West. The Eel River toxic species are Planktothrix and Anabaena that can create neurotoxins that are fatal within minutes to dogs that play in algae blooms in stream edges and then lick their fur. Toxic algae does not form in all years and it looks like we may avoid the problem in 2012 due to late rains and a cool summer, but ERRP volunteers are surveilling conditions on the Van Duzen River, South Fork and lower Eel River.  Volunteers are taking pictures of locations that have been known to form toxic conditions and automated temperature sensors are being placed nearby. The hope is that a relationship between ambient stream temperature and development of toxic conditions can be established as part of an early warning system. Water temperature sensing devices used in 2012 are on loan to the ERRP from the North Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board and the Mendocino County Water Agency.

The ERRP is working with the Humboldt County Public Health and contact is made if conditions become threatening or if there is any evidence of toxic exposure of pets or people. The toxic species often are intermixed with other algae species and can only be identified with magnification. They County and State do not currently have a budget for testing for toxic algae except in emergencies, such as when dogs die. ERRP may try to help get grants so we can help the County to get more and better toxic algae data. In the mean time, the best strategy to keep pets and children safe is to make sure they avoid contact with stagnant stream margins that have algae abundant blooms.

It is assumed that nutrient pollution reduction and water conservation are needed to lessen toxic algae risk and to restore the Eel River’s ecological balance. Speakers at the ERRP sponsored a Water Day forum this past May 6 discussed ways to cut down on pollution and agricultural water use and grant funds are being pursued to promote more widespread implementation of the recommended strategies.

The ERRP operates under the umbrella of the Trees Foundation and the 2012 monitoring program is sponsored by a Rose Foundation grant as well as a private donation. The project also includes citizen assisted temperature trend monitoring of streams and fall Chinook salmon counts. More volunteers are needed and those interested participating in any activity can contact ERRP volunteer monitoring coordinator Patrick Higgins, at (707) 223-7200. See www.eelriverrecovery.org for more information.

September 2011 photo is of the same location on the SF Eel as photo at left and shows no sign of toxic algae: