Memorandum
Date: September 9, 2025
To: The Honorable E.J. Crandell, Chair, Lake County Board of Supervisors
From: Helen Owen, District One Supervisor
Jessica Pyska, District Five Supervisor
Subject: Adopt Proclamation Honoring Lives and Resilience: 10 Years Since the Valley Fire
Executive Summary:
The attached proclamation recognizes the 10th anniversary of the Valley Fire, which ignited on September 12, 2015, near Cobb Mountain. At the time, it was the third most destructive wildfire in California history, burning 76,067 acres, destroying 1,955 structures, displacing thousands, and leaving lasting impacts on Lake County communities.
The fire claimed the lives of five residents — Bruce Beven Burns, Robert Taylor Fletcher, Robert Litchman, Barbara McWilliams, and Leonard Neft — and seriously injured four firefighters. In the aftermath, the strength of Lake County shone through as neighbors, first responders, mutual aid partners, local government agencies, tribal nations, nonprofits, and volunteers came together to aid survivors and begin recovery.
This proclamation honors the lives lost, expresses gratitude to those who contributed to response and recovery, and reaffirms the County’s commitment to resilience, preparedness, and community collaboration as we reflect on this milestone anniversary.
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☐ Fully Article X.- and/or Consultant Selection Policy-Compliant (describe process undertaken in “Executive Summary”)
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Consistency with Vision 2028 (check all that apply): ☐ Not applicable
☒ Well-being of Residents ☒ Public Safety ☒ Disaster Prevention, Preparedness, Recovery
☐ Economic Development ☐ Infrastructure ☐ County Workforce
☒ Community Collaboration ☐ Business Process Efficiency ☐ Clear Lake
Recommended Action: Adopt Proclamation Honoring Lives and Resilience: 10 Years Since the Valley Fire