Public Safety · Lake County
The Lake County Air Quality Management District announced that the annual burn ban for 2026 will be lifted on Sunday, November 1. Residential and agricultural burn permits become available online at www.lcaqmd.net starting that date, with fees of $66 for residential and $98 for agricultural permits. Burning is allowed only on permissive burn days and requires a parcel of one acre or larger, at least 100 feet from neighbors and 30 feet from structures. A smoke management plan permit is required for multi-day operations, tule burning, piles over 10 feet in diameter, vineyard or orchard removals, and burns exceeding 20 acres in one day.
Public Safety · Mendocino County
The National Weather Service in Eureka issued a freeze warning on Tuesday at 12:13 p.m. for Northwestern Interior Mendocino, Northeastern Interior Mendocino, and Lake County, valid from 1 a.m. to 9 a.m. Wednesday. Sub-freezing temperatures as low as 26 degrees are expected. The NWS warns that frost and freeze conditions could kill crops, damage sensitive vegetation, and harm unprotected outdoor plumbing. Residents are advised to move tender plants indoors and wrap, drain, or allow pipes to drip slowly.
Public Safety · Lake County
A major heat wave earlier in October prompted National Weather Service extreme heat advisories for residents of Lake, Mendocino and Sonoma counties, affecting more than 35 million Californians. In Lake County, the super El Niño set early October temperature records, though meteorologist Jacob Boomsma noted they were not "super anomalous." Meteorologists from NWS offices in Ukiah and Eureka said the event is projected to bring above-average rainfall this winter, with lakefront residents advised to prepare for higher water levels and those near streams and rivers urged to prepare for big storms. The precipitation from last week greatly decreased the risk of stray fires, though experts urge residents to prepare for winter as they would any other year.
