Friday, Sept. 22
Del Norte residents recovering from the Smith River Complex wildfires will keep their homeowners insurance for at least a year. California Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara said 15,000 policy holders living in “adjoining ZIP codes” of both the Smith River Complex and Happy Camp Complex will be protected from insurance companies canceling their policies. That protection will be in effect for one year from Aug. 29, the day Gov. Gavin Newsom declared an emergency in Del Norte County, Lara’s office said.
According to District 3 Supervisor Chris Howard, the protection extends to residents living in Gasquet, Smith River, Hiouchi and in Klamath.
Caltrans officials warn a storm may prompt them to close U.S. 199 over the weekend if they aren’t able to keep the highway safe for motorists. Caltrans has been escorting travelers from the Grassy Flat Campground to Oregon Mountain Road from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. and from 4 p.m.-8 a.m. Monday through Friday while fire crews continue to battle the Smith River Complex. Those escorts continue via one-lane over the weekend, though Caltrans warns that its maintenance crew will be monitoring for rockfall and debris slides in the burn area. They’re urging people to stay home if they don’t have to travel on U.S. 199 Sunday or Monday.
Motorists should expect up to one-hour delays when the road is open and plan to arrive 20 to 30 minutes before the highway closes.
In Curry County, crews battling the Anvil Fire have reached 9 percent containment in the southwest portion along Elk River Road near Port Orford.
Fire behavior increased due to strong winds with 35 mph gusts. Embers ignited a small blaze on the slope across the Elk River, which firefighters were able to limit to about 10 acres in size.
The Anvil Fire has been mapped at 16,664 acres and started in the Grassy Knob Wilderness area east of Port Orford.
* Del Norte High’s varsity football team returns to action tonight when it plays host to non-conference foe McKinleyville at Mike Whalen Field. Tune into the Warrior Pregame Show at 7:15 p.m. on KPOD 97.9 FM, and delnortesports.com.
* After three consecutive road games, the Brookings-Harbor High football team will play at home tonight, taking on Sutherlin at 7 p.m. The Bruins are looking for their first win of the season. Tune into KURY 95.3 for all the action.
* The Del Norte High volleyball team is now 10-1 overall this season following a straight-set victory over Brookings-Harbor High Thursday in Crescent City. The Warrior junior varsity also claimed victory over the Bruins. Del Norte takes part in a tournament in Sonoma this weekend.