LAKE COUNTY—The County of Lake streamed the second Lake County LNU Lightning Complex virtual community meeting Thursday on Facebook, Zoom and Lake County PEG TV (Mediacom Channel 8), reuniting representatives from CAL Fire; the Lake County Sheriff’s Office; partnering agencies that have been crucial to Lake County’s response to the wildfire event; representatives of the Red Cross; County Health and Social Services Agencies; Lake County Behavioral Health Services; and elected representatives, to talk about the status of the fires in the county.
“We have approximately 7,000 Lake County residents that have experienced a pretty long term displacement, by some of them being on their ninth and 10th day evacuated from their homes. For a lot of those this is also not the first time that they’ve been subject to these evacuations, so we’re really mindful of that,” said Lake County Sheriff, Brian L. Martin. “This is our 12th disaster in five years.”
“The Hennessey fire has been incredibly stubborn,” said Senator Mike McGuire (D-Healdsburg) adding that the highest priority to all agencies, as well as elected officials, is ensuring that the fire stays out of Middletown, as well as Hidden Valley Lake. “If there is a need to be able to mobilize any services from the State Office of Emergency Services for any type of debris cleanup, please know that the state is here now. We’re going to be here with you in the weeks to come and, of course, in the years to come, to make sure that Lake County has the resources they need to be able to recover and rebuild stronger.”
Congressman Mike Thompson (D-St. Helena) referred to the national disaster declaration from Washington DC: “It provides individual assistance of up to $35,000 for individuals who were harmed by this fire. Those monies can be used for anything, from rebuilding or repairing your home to temporary housing, to counseling, to emergency unemployment benefits.” Residents affected by the fire emergencies can apply by going through www.disasterassistance.gov or by calling 1-800-621-3362. Thompson said the disaster declaration also makes Small business Administration loans accessible to individuals and to businesses and nonprofit – businesses and nonprofit can get up to $2 million; individuals, up to $40,000. Those who are interested in that can go to disasterloanassistance.sba.gov.
