Golf Fire Caused By Improperly Discarded Cigarette, Cal Fire Says

LAKE COUNTY, CA — The 20-acre Golf Fire that caused a minor injury to a firefighter was caused by an improperly discarded cigarette, authorities with Cal Fire said in a final update Sunday about the wildfire.

The Golf Fire started at about 1 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 8, at Soda Bay Road and Golf Drive in southern Lake County near Clear Lake. Residents of 40 homes were evacuated as the fire threatened the Riviera West community.

Fortunately, crews spared the homes; None were damaged or destroyed, according to spokesman Bruce Lang of Cal Fire's Sonoma-Lake-Napa Unit.

Some 400 firefighters and at least four air tankers and four helicopters were utilized to attack the fire, and by Sunday, the Golf Fire was 100-percent contained.

"... You may see CAL FIRE personnel in the area checking for smoke the next several days," Lang said. "Do not be alarmed, your safety is our No. 1 priority."

Cooperating public safety agencies during the Golf Fire were: Cal Fire, Kelseyville Fire Protection District, South Lake Fire Protection District, Lakeport Fire District, Lake County Fire Protection District, Williams Fire Protection Authority, City of Colusa, Marin County Fire Department, Bureau of Land Management, Lake County Sherriff’s Office, PG&E and California Highway Patrol.

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