'Bike Angel' Launches Bicycle, Helmet Drive For Clayton Fire Victims

LAKE COUNTY, CA – The "Bike Angel," a former Bay Area resident, is launching a bicycle drive hoping to ease the pain and loss of the Clayton Fire victims in Lake County.

Longtime Livermore resident Candy Alcott may have moved out of California, but sprang into action from her new home in Florida as soon as she heard Lake County was burning.

The Clayton Fire, burning since Aug. 13 south of Lower Lake, hit 97 percent containment with 3,929 acres consumed, according to the latest figures from Cal Fire.

Current data indicates that the fire has destroyed 300 structures -- including 189 single-family homes, eight commercial structures and 102 other structures, such as sheds and smaller outbuildings.

Last year, Alcott rallied the Bay Area community founding a group dubbed “Bike Angels” and was able to garner hundreds of bicycle donations for the children and adults in Lake County's Valley fire, which killed four people, injured four firefighters and destroyed 1,280 homes.

Alcott says there are already 20 Clayton Fire families in need of bicycle replacements on her growing list.

“Hope, optimism and being positive ... that is how Bike Angels roll,” Alcott told Patch.

Those interested in donating bicycles, helmets, gift cards or money can call Alcott at 925-525-7682 or order bicycles through Walmart in Clearlake as part of the Bike Angels United program.

Follow Alcott and the progress of the Bike Angels United on Facebook.

Editor Autumn Johnson contributed to this report/photo courtesy Bike Angels United Facebook