Significant Cyanobacteria/Algae Bloom; concerning cyanotoxin levels detected at multiple Clear Lake sites; danger level at four locations
LAKE COUNTY— Clear Lake is a national treasure, and was recently named Best Bass Lake of the past decade by BASSMASTER Magazine.
It is also a large and biologically diverse natural body of water, and therefore dynamic in water quality. Given the warm weather and the long hours of sunlight this time of year, we are seeing large cyanobacteria/blue-green algae blooms at various places around the lake. In some locations, cyanotoxin has been detected at “DANGER” levels.
Water monitoring data is one factor that helps all of us make healthy water-based recreation choices, and lake water monitoring is regularly conducted by the Big Valley Band of Pomo Indians and Elem Indian Colony at approximately 30 Clear Lake sites. This is a valuable service for all who use our lake.
During June 23, 2020 sampling, worrisome levels of Cyanotoxin were detected at 10 sites, with fpur sites reaching the “Danger” level including Austin Park, Buckingham, Jago Bay, Sulphur Bank Mercury Mine Shoreline, Lucerne and Lily Cove among others.
While much of the aquatic plant growth visible in the lake right now is harmless, cyanobacteria, when present in sufficient abundance, can produce cyanotoxins, which pose health hazards to humans, livestock, and pets. Varying levels of the toxin can be detected at different locations, so there is no need to be overly concerned about activities in areas of the lake where algae blooms are not present.
At the “DANGER” and “WARNING” levels, toxins from algae in the water can harm people and kill animals. Everyone should stay out of the water in those areas and not touch scum in the water or on the shore. Pets should stay out of the water, not drink the water, and avoid the scum. Fish and shellfish should not be eaten from those areas. Symptoms of exposure include skin rashes, eye irritation, diarrhea, and vomiting. Pets who contact the toxin can experience seizures and death.
Contact a medical provider or veterinarian if symptoms due to exposure are suspected.
For current cyanotoxin lab results, please visit the Clear Lake Water Quality Facebook page and Big Valley Band of Pomo Indians’ cyanotoxin monitoring website. Images, graphics and other resources regarding this data are available:
https://www.bvrancheria.com/clearlakecyanotoxins
https://www.facebook.com/ClearLakeWaterQuality/
Further resources are available at the following webpages:
http://www.lakecountyca.gov/cyanobacteria/
http://www.lakecountyca.gov/cyanohealth/
CDC guidance regarding harmful algal blooms can be found here:
https://www.cdc.gov/habs/materials/factsheet-cyanobacterial-habs.html
The BASSMASTER information can be found here:
https://www.bassmaster.com/best-bass-lakes/slideshow/best-bass-lakes-2010s
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First COVID-19-related death in Lake County
The COVID-19 pandemic has brought sudden and life-changing loss to many thousands of Californians. Each of the more than 6,000 deaths unsettled the worlds of friends, family members and neighbors.
It is my solemn responsibility to report the first COVID-19-related death in Lake County. The exact circumstances are still being investigated, but this person became ill at home, was transported by ambulance, and died in the Emergency Department; they later tested positive for COVID-19. Our sincere condolences go out to family and friends in this deeply sad situation.
COVID-19 infections continue to rise in Lake County. As of this morning, we have confirmed a total of 86 cases, with 39 considered active. 4 are currently hospitalized, with 2 in-County. The other 2 have been transferred to a higher level of care out of county, and 1 of those is now considered COVID-free, but remains under hospital care.
Investigation into the outbreak in the farmworker community remains ongoing, and we are grateful both workers and employers have been highly responsible and cooperative in managing this challenging situation. All of those infected are on home isolation, and cooperating with Public Health.
Several other cases have been identified from various sources. Many of them have been traced to known cases; either household members or cases from out of the county.
A handful of the recent cases, though, have no identifiable source. Community transmission is presumed.
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SACRAMENTO
PG&E and California Fire Foundation renew partnership to tackle wildfire risk
Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) has renewed its partnership with the California Fire Foundation (CFF) by providing $1.2 million for a Wildfire Safety and Preparedness grant.
The partnership creates grant funding opportunities for fire and community organizations to address the ongoing risk of wildfire. Applications must be submitted by July 15, 2020 and awardee notification will begin July 31, 2020.
“PG&E is proud to continue our support for the California Fire Foundation in its work to help make California more resilient to fire risk. We all play a role in reducing the fire threat in our communities. We are committed to bolstering wildfire prevention and response by helping to ensure firefighters and residents have the necessary resources to prevent catastrophic wildfires,” said Michael Lewis, senior vice president of Electric Operations, PG&E.
PG&E’s contribution is a continuation of a 3-year collaboration between PG&E and CFF to support fire safety awareness. In 2018 and 2019, CFF provided funding from the annual grant to 95 fire departments and fire agencies throughout California. Funding targets specific communities identified as extreme or elevated fire risk as identified by the California Public Utilities Commission High Fire-Threat District map.
“The California Fire Foundation’s partnership with PG&E helps expand resources to, not only fire agencies, but community-based organizations around the state to educate and prepare for the wildfires we know are coming,” said Rick Martinez, Executive Director of the CFF. “This joint effort enables agencies to be better equipped and communities to have the resources to plan ahead, ultimately ensuring the lives and property of all Californians are protected.”
Specifically, the grant program has funded:
- Fire equipment purchases, local fire education programs, and defensible space and vegetation management efforts.
- Fire safety messaging targeting underserved communities in English, Spanish, Chinese, Hmong and Vietnamese.
- A statewide fire safety awareness campaign through television, radio, digital and outdoor advertisements.
The grant program also supports the creation of fire prevention and safety education materials in multiple languages. This effort aims to overcome language barriers and increase access to educational resources among California’s underserved populations. The program’s goal is to continue building generational resiliency in high fire-threat communities through resources and education.
The grant program also supports the creation of fire prevention and safety education materials in multiple languages. This effort aims to overcome language barriers and increase access to educational resources among California’s underserved populations. The program’s goal is to continue building generational resiliency in high fire-threat communities through resources and education.
The CFF, a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization, aids firefighters, their families and the communities they protect. The CFF’s Firefighters on Your Side program, also supported by PG&E, provides multi-lingual, culturally relevant fire safety messaging in both digital and print form, to assist the public in staying safe.
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