Clearlake reports 83‑acre "Cash Fire," sets up local assistance center for displaced residents

City planning staff reported to the Clearlake Planning Commission that the recent "Cash Fire" burned about 83 acres, damaged or destroyed multiple structures and prompted an emergency community response.

City staff described heavy impacts in two local mobile home parks and said 57 homes were lost; staff also said "a total of just under a 50 total buildings" were affected and emphasized the risk of ash and hazardous debris entering the Cache Creek watershed during the next rain event. The city has established an evacuation shelter and will open a local assistance center at the community center for three days to help residents access records, recovery resources and short‑term housing referrals.

Staff said most affected residents lack insurance and that the city is coordinating with local nonprofits, county agencies and state partners. The county declared a public health emergency and the city said a Department of Toxic Substances Control team will be on site to identify and remove household hazardous materials such as fuel tanks and oil to make impacted areas safer for residents to return.

City staff also warned cleanup and recovery will be lengthy and that state or federal disaster declarations have not been triggered, making large‑scale state or federal assistance unlikely in the immediate term. The staff update concluded with a call for community support and an acknowledgement that significant work remains to restore infrastructure and housing.