LAKE COUNTY >> There was a moment of calm for Lake County fire crews this weekend, but it was sandwiched between two blazes that could have been devastating.
On Sunday a fire in North Lakeport burned almost 10 acres and threatened several homes. And while limited to just 2 acres, a fire on Friday in Clearlake consumed two mobile homes, a garage and several vehicles.
Lakeport Fire Protection District chief Doug Hutchison credits homeowners who created a clean defensible space — as well as well timed air drops — for limiting damage from Sunday’s Island Fire, which sparked on the west end of Island View Dr. and raced uphill toward Sun Dr. before being blunted.
“One house might have lost some bushes,” he said, adding that defensible space really pays off.
Still, the fast moving flames caused plenty of concern. Lakeport Fire sent five engines and a water tender. The Northshore Fire Protection District and Kelseyville Fire Protection District arrived with more trucks. And Cal Fire deployed a full wildland team.
“The first engine we sent to the top to protect the houses,” Hutchison said. “The fire was headed right for them.”
The chief called on air support, as well. Cal Fire planes made two drops, one of which instantly doused a strip of burning grassland approximately 100 yards long.
As fire crews worked the containment line, they were supported by a helicopter from Boggs Mountain.
“Copter 104 made a whole bunch of bucket drops,” Hutchison observed. “That helped a lot.”
Friday’s fire in Clearlake ignited in or adjacent to a red tagged mobile home that investigators say has a history of occupation by transients. Tall, dry grass surrounding the home quickly flared up.
From the structure on Snook Ave., flames jumped to an open lot across the street and charred poles, knocking down power lines, in addition to the structures.
The damage also extended to a recreational vehicle, a trailer and a fence, according to Bob Minenna, who was photographing the event.
Crews from the Lake County Fire Protection District in Clearlake were joined by Lakeport Fire, Northshore, Cal Fire and a water tender from Middletown’s department.
In both cases — North Lakeport and Clearlake — the fires appear to be caused by human activity.
The busy weekend came after a fire in Lucerne destroyed homes in Lucerne, which started with an outdoor grill, according to initial reports. Crews also responded to a tent fire Thursday night at the homeless camp near Ray’s Food Place in Clearlake.
Smoke checks have been an almost daily occurrence since the beginning of fire season, not only in Lake County, but also across the state.
According to data compiled by Cal Fire, there have been 3,736 fires in the state between January 1 and July 30. These scorched 206,062 acres — a pace well ahead of 2016.
A year ago, Cal Fire counted 2,860 fires covering 139,014 acres over the same period.
