[ad_1]
LAKE COUNTY, Calif .– City staff gave Clearlake City Council an update at its regular meeting on Thursday on the latest developments in recovery efforts for the Cache fire.
Since the last council meeting, Governor Gavin Newsom proclaimed a state of emergency for Lake County in response to the Cache fire, as reported by Lake County News.
City Manager Alan Flora said he was grateful for the proclamation, which the governor’s office says will help speed up the disposal of the resulting hazardous debris and ash, in addition to streamlining other utilities for them. victims of fires.
At this point, Flora said the city had not been notified that the Cache fire would be included in a federal disaster declaration.
However, he said the governor’s statement freed up resources at the state level to help with the recovery effort.
He said that over the past few days there had been a wave of information about the cleanup effort, which was included in a request for proposals for this fire and a number of others across the State.
Proposals to do the cleanup are expected to arrive in mid-October and the cleanup is expected to begin in early November, Flora said.
Flora said the Cache fire has been prioritized to be one of the first fire cleanups in the state.
In order to protect Cache Creek from hazardous materials in ash and debris from the fire, Flora said the state’s Department of Water Resources, State Water Board, and California Conservation Corps have installed BMPs from the fire. emergency – short for best management practices – equipment.
Flora said he didn’t think the BMPs installed so far were adequate for a significant rainstorm. If the clean-up took place in the next 30 days, he said they probably wouldn’t need to be stepped up. However, as the clean-up is not expected to begin within this time frame, the state plans to return and install additional equipment.
Flora didn’t expect the cleanup to be delayed until the dead of winter, but added that there would likely be major thunderstorms that could cause problems.
A site meeting is scheduled for Wednesday to decide on the necessary protective measures. Flora said the town’s engineer provided recommendations to the state’s emergency services office.
“It has been a bit slow but we are making progress there,” said Flora, adding that the state is committed to protecting the watershed.
Regarding residents who have lost their homes, Flora said they are currently accommodating 10 people, less than the 20 to 25 they had planned.
He said North Coast Opportunities, the agency partnering with the city to help cache fire survivors, is working with many people to find alternatives for those in need of housing.
Flora said that, as of this week, the city could receive an additional $ 100,000 for temporary housing from CalOES, which is working with nonprofits to get help.
The city’s finance director is working with the California Department of Housing and Community Development and other funders and programs to find housing options, Flora said.
The city is also exploring other more permanent housing options that could be put in place in the short term on city-owned properties. Flora said there appeared to be some exciting and innovative opportunities out there, and that he would keep the board updated as these plans began to flesh out.
Another issue that Flora says needs special attention is the water supply systems in the fire zone, especially around the Cache Creek and Creekside mobile home parks.
He said there is a “patchwork of systems” providing water to this area.
The Konocti County Water District is providing water to the Cache Creek Mobile Home Park on a temporary basis. Flora said the city is asking state lawmakers to speed up Konocti’s request for funding for an upgrade of the water supply system in this area.
Flora said Konocti had already worked on this expansion project before the fire, with the project being planned and the design pretty much complete.
He said Creekside Mobile Home Park, where most of the damage was concentrated, draws its water from the Lower Lake watershed districts. He said he believes the property should be tied to Konocti as well, which is also under consideration.
Flora said the city is also making efforts to prepare entry fee forms for the start of the cleanup.
Another issue raised by City Councilor David Claffey concerned reconnecting landlines in the fire zone. Flora said the city was still following and he wasn’t sure at the time if the issue had been resolved.
Flora urged anyone in need of housing due to the Cache Creek relocation to contact Opportunities of the north coast.
Email Elizabeth Larson at This e-mail address is protected from spam. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Follow her on Twitter, @ERLarson, or Lake County News, @LakeCoNews.
[ad_2]
Source link