LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – The Jerusalem and Rocky fires have resulted in smoke, haze and degraded air quality intermittently throughout Lake County.

Several other major fires burning in Northern California, including the Humboldt Complex and other Northern California, Oregon and Washington fires, are all contributing significant smoke to the air. 

With the forecast for north winds, the county may experience smoke from these fires.

The Lake County Quality Management District reports that air quality conditions currently are in the “good” range.

Though the Jerusalem and Rocky fires are not expected to contribute significant amounts of smoke, areas impacted by smoke from any of the fires currently burning in Northern California are forecast to have “moderate” to “unhealthy” air quality.

Similar conditions are expected through the weekend, and possibly into next week.

Conditions can change quickly from “good” to “unhealthy for sensitive individuals.” Localized areas may experience intermittent particulate levels in the “unhealthy” range. 

All areas of Lake County may be significantly impacted, should meteorological conditions worsen.

The “good” to “moderate” air quality forecast results from lower levels of fine particulates in the smoke and the possibility of increased ground-level ozone.

Ozone is generated when combustion products in the smoke combine with the high temperatures, sunlight and humidity. Other chemical reactions reduce visibility by forming secondary particulates.

Dust masks are not protective against fine particulate, which is the pollutant most detrimental to health caused by wildfire smoke. Such masks are only useful in filtering out the ash and larger particles that are encountered in burn areas. 

Air purifying respirators, such as N-95 filtering face pieces, may be effective in reducing harmful particulate matter, but also increase the work of breathing, can lead to physiologic stress, and are not recommended as a general protective measure.

With the potential for significant smoke from the regional fires, individuals enjoying the outdoors  especially those at higher elevations – such as Mt. Konocti park, Boggs Forest and the Mendocino National Forest – should be prepared for potential smoke impacts. Caution is recommended.

NORTHERN CALIFORNIA – Thirty new law enforcement cadets graduated from the California Wildlife Officer Academy during ceremonies at the Performing Arts Center in Paradise on Aug. 14.

The graduating class includes 23 sponsored warden cadets who will begin field training immediately. Another seven self-sponsored cadets paid their way through the academy and will apply to become wildlife officers.
 
"After 31 weeks of hard work at the academy, these cadets have earned the right to begin protecting California and ensuring the future of wildlife resources for the people of this great state," said California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) Chief of Enforcement David Bess.
 
The CDFW Wildlife Officer Academy is certified through the California Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) and offers training consistent with every law enforcement agency in California.
 
For the 23 sponsored cadets, graduation concludes a rigorous 31 weeks of formal academy training, but marks the beginning of an additional three weeks of specialized training and certifications, followed by an additional 15 weeks of field training with seasoned field training officers (FTOs).

Upon successful completion of the FTO program, these new officers will begin their incredible career patrolling California and protecting the fish and wildlife resources.
 
A special moment occurred during this year's graduation, when Cadet William H. Castillo was pinned by his father, Lt. Sam Castillo.

Lt. Castillo is nearing retirement after a noteworthy 30-year career as a wildlife officer and lieutenant for CDFW. Lt. Castillo will pass the torch to his son to honor the commitment of all wildlife officers who dedicate their lives to protecting California's natural resources.
 
Annually, wildlife officers make contact with more than 295,000 people and issue more than 15,000 citations.

Wardens mostly work alone, in remote areas, contacting subjects who nearly always have some form of weapon, and they do so knowing that backup could be hours away.

Wardens cover large patrol districts, the average being more than 600 square miles. They do all this with a sense of pride and honor, for a job that is not only rewarding, but truly enjoyable.
 
In 2007, CDFW teamed with Butte College to provide peace officer academy training for prospective wardens.

That partnership provided CDFW a state of the art academy facility and a POST-certified training program for wildlife officer cadets on the Butte College Oroville campus.
 
Butte College has a 40-year history of police recruit training. The 928-acre community college campus, the largest in California, is also a designated wildlife refuge.

CDFW anticipates the next round of warden cadet selection to begin in September or October of 2015, for the January 2017 academy.

For more information about becoming a warden and to monitor when applications will be accepted, please visit www.dfg.ca.gov/enforcement/career/ .

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

Highway 20

– PG&E has been issued a Caltrans encroachment permit for utility work about 1.3 miles east of the Lake/Mendocino County line on Tuesday, Aug. 18. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays.

– Pavement repairs from Rosemont Drive to Pingree Road 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.

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., Sunday evening through Friday morning. Motorists should anticipate 15-minute delays.

– Caltrans will perform routine maintenance at the junction of Routes 29/175 near Lakeport beginning Tuesday, Aug. 18. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., weekdays. Motorists should anticipate 15-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.
 
– Drainage repairs at various locations from Hardy Creek to the South Fork Eel River Bridge will continue. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., weekdays. Motorists should anticipate 10-minute delays.
 
Highway 20

– Pavement repairs from Noyo Acres Drive to 1.4 miles west of Little Lake Road will begin Friday, Aug. 14. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., weekdays. 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 mile north of Nelson Road to the Robinson Creek Bridge will begin Monday, Aug. 17. Work hours are 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., weekdays. In two-lane sections, one-way traffic control will be in effect, and motorists should anticipate five-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 Burke Hill Drive (Exit 544) and Cox-Schrader Road (Exit 545) 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 Casteel Lane to Reynolds Highway will continue. Intermittent one-way traffic control will be in effect from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Saturday. Motorists should anticipate 10-minute delays.
 
– Pavement repairs from just north of Huntsman Way to Rattlesnake Creek will begin Monday, Aug. 17. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 7 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., weekdays. Motorists should anticipate 15-minute delays.
 
– Black Oak Ranch of Laytonville has been granted a Caltrans Encroachment Permit to allow access for the Enchanted Forest event to be held 4.5 miles north of Laytonville Friday, Aug. 14, through Sunday, Aug. 17. Motorists are advised to drive with caution through the area and may experience minor delays.
 
Highway 128

– Culvert rehabilitation at various locations from 1.0 mile west of Navarro Ridge Road to the Mendocino/Sonoma County line will continue. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., weekdays. Motorists should anticipate 15-minute delays.
 
Caltrans advises motorists to drive with caution when approaching work areas and to be prepared to stop at traffic control stations.
 
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.

MIDDLETOWN, Calif. – Come see the artifacts of domestic life during the late 19th and early 20th centuries in south Lake County as the Gibson Museum & Cultural Center presents an exhibition of such things, now through the end of September.

This late summer display takes a peek at how women provided care and nurturing for the family.

A hand-cranked laundry wringer, an early bread toaster (you'll find the same model in the Smithsonian Museum), and a waffle iron designed for use on a coal stove show industrial efforts to make mom's life a little easier.

There's more to see, but it's not only kitchen duty.

Take a look at turn-of-the-century shoe fashions, needlework, quilts and more.

The home exhibit is nestled among mining, American Indian, and local geology artifacts and information.

Gibson docents are happy to answer questions. It's all a part of your heritage.

The Gibson Museum is located at 21267 Calistoga Road (across from Middletown Square) in Middletown.

The museum is open to visitors Wednesday, Friday and Saturday from 1 to 5 p.m.

Learn more at www.thegibsonmuseum.com .

NORTH COAST, Calif. – The Cal Fire Mendocino Unit has announced the sale of one additional firewood permit per household on Jackson Demonstration State Forest (JDSF) beginning Monday, Aug. 17, at 8 a.m.

Firewood permits are for two cords per household at a cost of $20 per permit. 

Further, a second firewood gathering area is being opened on Aug. 17.

Permit holders with remaining tags can return to the JDSF office in Fort Bragg with their permit and remaining tags in order to receive an updated map of the new firewood area. 

Firewood areas are tentatively scheduled to close on Sept. 30, or until wood supply is gone, a significant rain event, or other resource constraints force closure, whichever occurs first.   

Firewood permits and information on how to safely engage in collecting firewood are available at the Cal Fire Fort Bragg office located at 802 North Main St., Fort Bragg, telephone 707-964-5674.

Office hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. (closed from noon to 1 p.m.) Monday through Friday.

Multiple uses of JDSF for a wide variety of activities that benefit the public, the economy and natural resources are what our demonstration forests are all about.

LAKEPORT, Calif. – Branch 168 of Sons In Retirement held its monthly meeting at the TNT Restaurant in Lakeport on July 10.

The guest speaker was Cathy Farris, speaking on the topic of genealogy.

Farris explained her own experience tracing her family’s history. Many of the members also shared their experiences.

Farris pointed out that www.FamilySearch.org is one of the largest and most trusted Web sites. This and many other genealogical Web sites are available at the Family History Center of the LDS Church free of charge and you don’t have to be a member of the church.

The high point of the meeting was when Larry Powers was elevated to Honorary Life Member by the membership.

Powers has been a member of SIR Branch 168 for 22 years. He has served as Big SIR of Branch 168 as well as many other positions in the branch and the state organization.

Sons In Retirement is a social organization for men of retirement age who are pursuing the goal of enjoying their later years. It has 142 branches with 18,000 members throughout the state.

Branch 168 holds a luncheon on the second Friday of each month at the TNT Restaurant in Lakeport. Branch 133 holds their luncheon on the third Friday of the month in the Greenview Room at Hidden Valley Lake.

Anyone interested in learning more about the Sons In Retirement group is encouraged to contact Larry Powers, chair of the membership committee of Branch 168 at 707-263-3403, or John P. Jones, chair of the membership committee of Branch 133, or visit the state Web site at http://sirinc.org/sirhappenings/ .