LUCERNE
“Where there’s fire, there’s smoke!”- a Lecture by Pulitzer-Prize Winning Author Michael Kodas
Author Michael Kodas’ lecture to be held at “The Lucerne Castle” Main Lobby, 3700 Country Club Drive, Lucerne, CA, on Thursday, Aug. 22, 2019, at 7 pm.
Michael Kodas is an award-winning author, reporter, and photojournalist who, for three decades, has focused on environmental issues during journalistic expeditions to forests, mountains, oceans and agricultural lands around the world. He was the winner of the 2018 Colorado Book Award for General Nonfiction for his book, Megafire: The Race to Extinguish a Deadly Epidemic of Flame, which was also named one of the 20 best nonfiction books of 2017 by Amazon. He is also the author of High Crimes: The Fate of Everest in an Age of Greed, which was named Best Non-Fiction in USA Book News’ National Best Books Awards of 2008 and recently featured on John Oliver’s Program “Last Week Tonight”. Michael, who is Associate Director of the Center for Environmental Journalism at the University of Colorado, Boulder, is currently with the NOAA in Boise, Idaho, researching the health effects of wildfire smoke.
“Michael’s riveting, brilliantly researched and reported bestseller Megafire! is the best account yet of our new era of massively destructive wildfires”, said New Paradigm College Provost William Stranger, who also lost his home to the 2015 Valley Fire. “In this lecture he will break new ground describing the serious health effects of lingering wildfire smoke, which is becoming the new normal throughout the Pacific Northwest. We feel this is a topic of great importance for families here in northern California and greatly look forward to both his insights and to the discussion that will ensue.”
Tickets are available on the New Paradigm College website and at Watershed Books in Lakeport. To learn more visit: www.newparadigmcollege.org/kodas
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LAKE COUNTY
30 Clear Lake Sites Tested, Cyanobacteria Concern in 6 Lower Arm Areas
Summer is a great time for outdoor recreation in Lake County. Many water-based activities, such as swimming, can greatly enhance well-being. Clear Lake is a large and biologically rich natural lake, and offers many opportunities for aquatic recreation. Understanding the dynamic nature of water quality, and what signs to look for when recreating, can help ensure residents and visitors safely enjoy our County’s defining feature.
Water monitoring is regularly done by the Big Valley Band of Pomo Indians and Elem Indian Colony. This is a valuable service, and helps facilitate safe lake use.
The most recent results reflect testing largely conducted July 22, and six areas of Clear Lake demonstrated concerning levels of blue-green algae, also known as Cyanobacteria.
Testing results from July 22, July 26, 2019 – (“danger” level triggering warnings at 20 micrograms per liter µg/L):
Austin Park Beach/AP01 with a lab result of 48 µg/L-Danger Zone (Red);
Redbud Park/RED01 with preliminary testing for microcystin with Abraxis strips on 7/26/19 due to changing lake conditions indicating a level of over 30 µg/L -Danger Zone (Red)*;
Cache Creek Shady Acres/SHADY01 with preliminary testing using Abraxis strips on 7/26/19 due to changing lake conditions indicating a level of over 30 µg/L – Danger Zone (Red);
Lily Cove/LC01 with preliminary testing using Abraxis strips on 7/26/19 due to changing lake conditions indicating a level of over 30 µg/L – Danger Zone (Red)**;
Jago Bay/JB with a result of 4.7 µg/L -Caution Zone (Yellow);
Buckingham Park/BP with a lab result of 2.4 µg/L -Caution Zone (Yellow);
* Lab results from July 22 testing had shown a result of 1.0 µg/L (in the Caution Zone); however, lake conditions changed quickly.
** This site was requested to be tested by a community member due to changing lake conditions, and is not yet a regular sampling site.
Public Health urges boaters and recreational users to avoid direct contact with or use of waters containing cyanobacteria in Lake County. The recommendation is based on the potential health risks from cyanobacteria, which is currently blooming at varying levels in the Lower Arm of Clear Lake.
Cyanobacteria can pose health risks, particularly to children and pets. We urge people to choose safe activities when visiting natural bodies of water, particularly where blooms are visible. It is strongly recommended that people and their pets avoid contact with water and avoid swallowing lake water in an algae bloom area.
For current cyanotoxin lab results, please visit the Big Valley Band of Pomo Indians cyanotoxin monitoring website: https://www.bvrancheria.com/clearlakecyanotoxins
For more information and resources, visit the County’s cyanobacteria pages:
http://www.lakecountyca.gov/cyanobacteria/
http://www.lakecountyca.gov/cyanohealth/
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