NORTHERN CALIFORNIA – Walmart and the Walmart Foundation this week announced they have committed to provide $200,000 of cash and in-kind support for relief efforts surrounding wildfires in Northern California, Washington, Oregon and Idaho.

In Northern California, Walmart and the Walmart Foundation have been engaged in relief efforts since wildfires started burning in the region several weeks ago.

Current support efforts are targeting the Butte fire in Amador and Calaveras counties and the Valley fire in Lake, Sonoma and Napa counties.

In addition to supplies and other in-kind support that has been given to first responders and local shelters, Walmart stores in Jackson and Clearlake are also actively working to meet the needs of the communities impacted by these wildfires.

In Clearlake, the Walmart store has been serving as an evacuation point for the community.  In response, the store has remained open 24 hours to ensure the community can access needed supplies and has provided continuous support with donations of food, water, cots, blankets, hygiene products and other necessities.

Walmart stores in the surrounding communities affected by the wildfires are responding in kind.

The Clearlake Walmart has also donated supplies and merchandise to multiple evacuation sites, including the Salvation Army food truck, the local senior center and Moose Lodge, and an evacuation site in Kelseyville, among others.

“In good times and bad, Walmart is committed to helping families across Northern California whenever they need us,” said Chester Gray, regional general manager for Walmart. “Not only are our Associates in the affected regions providing much-needed assistance wherever they can, but we’re providing even more support to communities coping with these natural disasters through cash donations from the Walmart Foundation and in-kind donations from Walmart.”

The Butte fire has burned nearly 72,000 acres and has destroyed at least 135 homes since it began on Sept. 9. More than 10,000 people living and working in the area around Jackson have been displaced.

The Valley fire, situated in Middletown and Cobb in Lake County, has burned more than 73,000 acres since it began on Sept. 12. Nearly 600 homes have been destroyed, 17,000 people have been evacuated and one person has died. Nearly 9,000 structured are still threatened

"The Red Cross is working feverishly around the clock to support those impacted by these devastating fires," said Justin Matheson, American Red Cross Capital Region board chair. "We’re forever grateful for the generous support that Walmart and the Walmart Foundation are providing. The supplies and the financial contributions help more families find support and relief from these disasters at a time when it’s needed most."

In addition to supporting their communities and customers affected by the wildfires throughout the multi-state region, Walmart has also provided Disaster Displacement Assistance to 160 associates. 

This assistance has been provided to associates that have been evacuated from their homes or have experienced significant home damage or loss as a result of the wildfires.

It is intended to help associates and their families get out of harm’s way and cover some of the personal items needed during their evacuation such as food, personal care items, fuel, etc.

UKIAH, Calif. – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers at Lake Mendocino is making available free camping for Lake County and Napa County residents displaced by the Valley fire at the Bushay Campground off state Highway 20. 

Lake Mendocino amenities include water, bathrooms, showers and campsites free of charge. 

Customers not affected by the Valley fire may still pay for camping in Kyen Campground on Marina Drive.

For more information call the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers office at 707-467-4200.

NORTHERN CALIFORNIA – Personnel from the San Francisco Fire Department and Toy Program Volunteers along with Cal Fire will be at the Napa County Fairgrounds in Calistoga at noon on Thursday, Sept. 17, handing out toys to the children who have been affected by the massive Valley fire.

Cal Fire Local 2881 firefighters and San Francisco firefighters, Local 798 are teaming up to help aid in the efforts to help the families and children by generously donating toys to the children from toy drives.

Cal Fire and SFFD have been working diligently around the state but wanted to take time out and give toys to the children of the displaced families of the Valley fire.

NORTH COAST, Calif. – Caltrans reports that the following road projects will be taking place around the North Coast during the coming week.

Included are Mendocino County projects that may impact Lake County commuters.
 
LAKE COUNTY

Valley fire closures: Route 29 is closed south of the junction of 29/53 in Lower Lake. Route 175 is closed from Red Hill Drive to Middletown. Both closures will be in effect until further notice.

Highway 20

– Pavement repairs from Rosemont Drive to the junction of Routes 20/53 will continue. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 6 p.m. to 9 a.m. weekdays. Motorists should anticipate 15-minute delays.
 
– Lake County Special Districts has been granted a Caltrans encroachment permit to perform utility work from Paradise Cove to Mitchell Road. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. weekdays. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays.

Highway 29

– Pavement repairs from Main Street in Kelseyville to the junction of Routes 29/175 near Lakeport will continue. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. Motorists should anticipate 15-minute delays.

Highway 53

– Lake County Sanitation District has been granted a Caltrans encroachment permit to perform utility work near Anderson Ranch Parkway beginning Wednesday, September 23. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays.

MENDOCINO COUNTY

Highway 1

– Highway repairs just north of Ocean Meadows Circle will continue. One-way traffic control with a temporary signal will be in effect 24 hours per day, seven days per week. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays.
 
Highway 20

– Pavement repairs from the Wildwood Campground to 1.2 miles east of Road 350 will continue. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Motorists should anticipate 15-minute delays.

Highway 101

– Caltrans will perform slide repairs near the Korean War Veterans Memorial Bridge (near Frog Woman Rock). Northbound traffic will be restricted to one lane 24 hours per day, seven days per week. Motorists may experience minor traffic slowdowns.

– Pavement repairs from 0.3 miles north of Nelson Road to the Route 101/253 interchange will continue. Work hours are 6 p.m. to 8 a.m. weekdays. In two-lane sections, one-way traffic control will be in effect, and motorists should anticipate 15-minute delays. In four-lane sections, traffic will be restricted to one lane in each direction, and motorists should anticipate minor traffic slowdowns. At the Robinson Overcrossing and El Roble Overcrossing interchanges, ramps will be intermittently closed, and motorists should seek an alternate route. No consecutive offramps or onramps will be closed at the same time.
 
– Highway construction from Sherwood Road to Reynolds Highway will continue. Intermittent one-way traffic control will be in effect from 9 p.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday evening through Friday evening. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays.

– Mitigation work from the North Willits Railroad Crossing to the entrance of Georgia Pacific will continue. Intermittent full highway closures will be in effect from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays. Motorists should anticipate 10-minute delays.
 
– Pavement repairs from Harwood Road to Rattlesnake Creek will begin Monday, Sept. 21. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays. Motorists should anticipate 15-minute delays.
 
– Bridge rehabilitation at the Jitney Gulch Bridge will begin Monday, Sept. 21. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays.

Highway 128

– Culvert rehabilitation at various locations from 1.0 mile west of Navarro Ridge Road to Indian Creek will continue. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. weekdays. Motorists should anticipate 10-minute delays.
 
Highway 271

– Bridge rehabilitation at the Big Dann Creek Bridge and Cedar Creek Bridge will begin Monday, Sept. 21. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays.

– Bridge rehabilitation at the McCoy Creek Bridge will begin Monday, Sept. 21. A full road closure will be in effect 24 hours per day, seven days per week. Motorists should seek an alternate route.

A retaining wall project on Route 128 in Sonoma County will impact Mendocino County traffic. Full nighttime road closures from 11 p.m. to 5 a.m. will be in effect Monday evening through Friday morning. Motorists will need to seek an alternate route such as Route 253 to U.S. Highway 101.

The Caltrans Traffic Operations Office has reviewed each project and determined that individual project delays are expected to be less than the statewide policy maximum of 30 minutes, unless noted otherwise above.

For information pertaining to emergency roadwork or for updates to scheduled roadwork, please contact the California Highway Information Network (CHIN) at 1-800-GAS-ROAD (1-800-427-7623).

CLEARLAKE, Calif. – The Yuba College Clear Lake Campus Counseling Department will be offering a series of workshops to assist the community with personal responses during the recovery from the Valley fire.

The following workshops will be offered to assist students, staff and the community. 

The workshops will cover common responses to trauma. 

Tips to help restore normal feelings and functioning will be shared, and resources will be distributed.

– Monday, Sept. 21, 1 p.m., Room 150: Common responses to trauma and healthy coping responses.
– Tuesday, Sept. 22, 1 p.m., Room 601: Common responses to trauma and healthy coping responses.
– Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2:30 p.m., Room 603: Common responses to trauma and healthy coping responses.
– Thursday, Sept. 24, 10 a.m., Room 603: Coping with children’s reactions to fire and critical incidents.
– Thursday, Sept. 24, 3 p.m., Room 603: Coping with children’s reactions to fire and critical incidents.
– Friday, Sept. 25, 1 p.m., Room 150: Personal responses to crisis.

LAKEPORT, Calif. – The Lakeport Public Works Department reported that beginning on Thursday the USDA Main Street Project, which is updating the city's sewer and storm drain system, will move on towards Clearlake Avenue.

Southbound traffic will be closed between Clearlake Ave and 11th Street during this phase.

It is estimated that this work will take one to two days.

Northbound traffic will not be effected by the closure. Special traffic routing is provided to businesses in the area, which are remaining open.