- Elizabeth Larson
- Posted On
Hidden Valley Lake repopulation to begin Sunday afternoon
SOUTH LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – After a week of being away from their homes due to the Valley fire, thousands of Hidden Valley Lake residents are to be allowed to return to their residences on Sunday afternoon.
Following a community meeting in Lower Lake on Saturday afternoon, Sheriff Brian Martin told Lake County News that the repopulation of Hidden Valley Lake was to begin at noon on Sunday.
Frustrated Hidden Valley Lake residents have been pushing to get back home, especially as reports have increased of looters making their way through communities evacuated due to the fire.
Shortly after the meeting ended, Cal Fire followed up with its own report, stating at that noon on Sunday the mandatory evacuation order would be lifted for the communities of Hidden Valley Lake, Jerusalem Grade, Grange Road and Butts Canyon Road.
Resident screening locations have been established at traffic control points, the agency said.
Access to Hidden Valley Lakes will be through the Hartmann Road entrance only and there will be
no Hidden Valley Lake access from Spruce Grove Road, according to Cal Fire.
To support the orderly return of residents to their homes, the following road closures have been revised, and go into effect at noon on Sunday:
– Hartmann Road at Highway 29 (screening location);
– Grange Road at Highway 29 (screening location);
– Butts Canyon Road at Highway 29 (screening location);
– Butts Canyon Rd at Snell Valley Rd (Screening location).
Cal Fire said Saturday evening that no additional evacuation orders were being lifted at that time.
Community members are urged to use special caution when reentering their homes, and to be aware that there may be hazards including dangerous chemicals and materials that are by-products of fires.
They're also asked to use caution when driving through the fire area, as thousands of firefighters are still at work.
Pacific Gas and Electric Co. said to avoid electrical wires that are down and to call them immediately at 1-800-743-5000 if downed lines are encountered. The company also asks residents not to connect generators without a licensed electrician.
Hundreds of trees and poles in the south county have been damaged and should be considered hazardous, officials said.
PG&E is ready to assist and will provide a mobile command vehicle, local customer service, and a reconnection staff to answer questions and provide resources. These services are located in the parking lot across the street from the Cowpoke Cafe, along Highway 29 in downtown Middletown, on Saturday and Sunday.
For additional information on returning home after a wildfire, go to: http://calfire.ca.gov/communications/downloads/fact_sheets/PGE_ReturningHomeAfterAfterAFire_print.pdf .
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