[00:00:00] Speaker A: Foreign.
[00:00:14] Speaker B: Good evening and welcome to the local news. Today is Tuesday, August 5th. I'm Jordan Pangelinan reporting for KMUD. In tonight's news, wildfire sparked by trespassing. Humboldt County Sheriff's office responds a passenger found unresponsive after pursuit on Highway 101. And KMUD's update on the Orleans complex. As crews gain control of older blazes, a new fire emerges on the horizon. So stay tuned. News on those stories and more coming right up.
Redwood Community Radio acknowledges that its transmitter sites are located on the unceded territory of the Sinkion, Huaylaqui, Wiat, Wilkat and Kato people. We honor ancestors past, present and emerging and acknowledge the ongoing cultural, spiritual and physical connection these tribes have to this region.
On July 26, 2025, the Humboldt County Sheriff's Office patrol deputies assisted numerous fire agencies with the Red fire, which occurred in a wooded area just northeast of Redway. Cal Fire investigators on scene determined that this fire was human caused and was directly related to the large population of people who illegally in the camps on this piece of private property. Thanks to swift and coordinated efforts of all fire agencies involved, the fire was contained and prevented a larger scale incident. However, an incident like this imposes more risk to rural communities like Redway. Lt. Jesse Taylor, the PIO for Humboldt County Sheriff's Office, explains more.
[00:01:50] Speaker A: Thankfully, the fire was contained relatively quickly with just some brush that had caught fire. The cause of the fire was determined to be through persons who were illegally setting up camps in that area. And so with that in mind and with cooperation with the property owner, which this was a private property parcel, the sheriff's office had gone back into the wooded area in the subsequent weeks to let people know that they're, you know, illegally trespassing on this piece of property.
[00:02:21] Speaker B: Since the fire, HCSO patrol deputies and in collaboration with both Cal Fire and the private property owner have contacted the individuals residing on this property advising them that they were trespassing and needed to vacate.
[00:02:33] Speaker A: People did vacate the property. There was one subject who did not vacate and was later arrested for trespassing. And so I think the purpose of putting out the information was to just let know people in the community that we are looking into these illegally occupied camps. Obviously, anybody who lives in southern Humboldt knows where some of the problem areas are. And we're encouraging anybody who owns a piece of private property who has noticed, you know, an uptick in foot traffic or illegal camping activity to call us and we will come out and assess, provide those warnings. We do like to give People time to, you know, self vacate and provide them with resources on relocating. But at some point, you know, we do have to push the envelope, so to speak, and make sure that they have vacated.
[00:03:18] Speaker B: On August 3, 2025, HCSO patrol deputies and Cal Fire law enforcement conducted a follow up inspection to ensure compliance with the vacate order. All encampments were found to be vacated with the exception of one individual. Ava Markowitz, 35, of Redway was arrested for violating California Penal Code 602 for trespassing. The fire was determined to have been caused by a campfire. Lt. Taylor provides further details.
[00:03:43] Speaker A: In this particular case, I think it was evidence of a campfire, which is common. You know, at night it gets chilly even this time of year. And so campfires are a common way to stay warm. Other times, you know, fires can be started through, you know, cooking or candle or, you know, any sort of ignition source. And especially this time of year with it being so dry, you know, it doesn't take but a simple accident to start a wildland fire.
[00:04:13] Speaker B: Redway has a history of similar incidents involving encampments. Lt. Taylor outlines the procedures followed when these sites are discovered and explains what it means for individuals to be vacated from the area.
[00:04:23] Speaker A: Yeah, so I don't know specifically on this particular visit, we do quite a few illegal campsite visits throughout the summer and really throughout the year. Typically what we would do is introduce our, you know, as law enforcement, make sure that everybody is aware that they are violating the property owner's rights to have them, you know, for illegal occupation. After that warning is given. We like to give people ample time. We're not, you know, going to come back the next day and, you know, we like to make sure that everybody has enough, you know, enough time to relocate. A lot of times we'll offer resources, whether it be through our county mental health and other transportation resources, to try to, to get people to relocate voluntarily. We don't particularly want to enforce or have to make arrests, and what we're really looking for is just voluntary compliance.
[00:05:17] Speaker B: Lt. Taylor also outlines the Humboldt county sheriff's office's next steps in monitoring the area to prevent future incidents, particularly those that could pose a serious threat if they occur near homes or businesses.
[00:05:30] Speaker A: Yeah, it's a delicate situation. I remember when I was the sergeant down there assigned to Garberville in southern Humboldt. It's something that you have to stay on top of almost daily. And that includes, you know, site visits, walking through, being a constant presence, sometimes with cooperation through the property owner, you know, putting up Signage and letting folks know that, you know, we're going to return and we're going to continue to put, you know, to have the property owners, which is, you know, respected by continually, you know, monitoring and enforcing illegal trespass issues. But like I said, unless you're really visiting those sites and getting to know the folks and really trying to do some outreach and trying to, you know, provide them the necessary tools to, you know, to get on their feet, it's. It's a really tricky and delicate situation.
[00:06:16] Speaker B: Knowing some of these individuals have no resources or have the stability to relocate. Taylor emphasizes the importance of law enforcement establishing a relationship with these individuals. Taylor reflects on their time as a sergeant in the Garboville community and steps he took to make sure these people were comfortable asking for help.
[00:06:34] Speaker A: Speaking for myself when I, when I was again assigned down there, I think it was that building that relationship and having that mutual respect with folks. I mean, after you establish that and have some trust and rapport with people, they, you know, you will have a lot of success with people just appreciating that. And really, you know, because, you know, I think there's a misconception that there's just no compassion on law enforcement, and that's completely false. We really do feel for these folks. We understand that, you know, some people are down on their luck and just simply don't have the ability to find housing. And so we understand that. And, you know, being able to get to know that person on an individual basis a lot of times proves to be successful.
[00:07:26] Speaker B: The Humboldt County Sheriff's Office patrol deputies will continue to monitor these camps and make sure that the public safety is prioritized. Anyone with information about this case or related criminal activity is encouraged to call the Humboldt County Sheriff's Office at 707-445-7251 or the Sheriff's Office Crime Tip Line at 707-268-2539. If you are currently experiencing homeless in Humboldt county, you may access the Coordinated entry system by dialing 211 and or by visiting 21 1, humboldt.org. additional resources and information for those experiencing or at risk of homelessness are also
[email protected] under this story.
The Orleans Complex on the Six Rivers and Klamath National Forest is compromised of three fires, two of which remain active. The recently ignited Big Cliff fire in the Klamath National Forest, three miles southeast of Idlewild Campground stands at 654 acres with a 2% containment. The big Cliff fire is utilizing full suppression tactics. Hotshot crews made significant progress around the spot fire on the southeast side of the fire yesterday and this area will remain a priority and as of the latest report, the Butler Fire has burned approximately 21,058 acres and is now at a 93% containment. The Butler Fire has not grown for several days. Resources are monitoring and patrolling, mopping up, chipping material and back hauling equipment. A few interior pockets are still smoldering, but the fire is not expected to move beyond its current footprint. Dry conditions are forecasted in the afternoon with minimum relative humidity in the valleys reaching the teens.
High temperatures reach the low to mid-90s in the valleys with low to mid-70s in the higher elevations. For current evacuation statuses, visit Siskiyou County Sheriff's Facebook and the Siskiyou Office of Emergency Services Facebook as well. Additional evacuation information and a map can be found on the Genesis
[email protected] that's protect.G-E-N-A-Y-S.com Forest, road and trail closures remain in place throughout the area. See the webpage for Six Rivers National Forest or the Siskiyou County Sheriff's Office Facebook for additional information.
Tune in to KMWOOD Local News for continuing coverage of our local 2025 fire season experience.
Turning to Mendocino on July 24, CHP from the Garberville area attempted to initiate a speed enforcement stop on a Toyota Camry driven by Jose Gonzalez. Gonzalez failed to yield and fled northbound on the U S Route 101 at a high rate of speed just south of Standish Hickey State Park. Gonzalez drove toward an active construction zone, at which time CHP discontinued their pursuit. CHP Public Information Officer Christian Cepeda provided further details explaining the reasons behind the initial discontinuation and the reinitiation of the pursuit.
[00:10:20] Speaker A: So the reason was traffic hazard is per policy, we want to discontinue the pursuit if it's going to be a greater danger to the public.
And they made the judgment call and discontinued the initial pursuit. I mean, it was just after traveling through the construction zone without lights and sirens in a regular fashion, waiting for, you know, the Caltrans unit to whoever the construction crew was able to direct this through and then spot in the vehicle after that.
[00:10:47] Speaker B: The pursuit concluded after a successful deployment of a spike strip on the US 101 at Dean Creek. Upon taking Gonzalez into custody, CHP officers located an unresponsive passenger in the Toyota, later identified as Josh Madison, 35. Cepeda has more on the passenger on.
[00:11:08] Speaker A: Making contact or after the stop.
There was a second occupant in the vehicle that was not responding to voice commands and the officers approached the vehicle, noticed he was unresponsive and immediately pulled him out of the car, tried to get him to wake up and administer Narcan.
[00:11:25] Speaker B: Both Gonzalez and Madison were taken to the hospital for medical clearance and ultimately were booked into the Humboldt County Jail. Gonzalez was books for reckless evading a peace officer, driving under the influence of drugs and possession of a controlled substance. Madison was booked for being under the influence of a controlled substance and for penal code 496, which is receiving stolen property.
There are no current updates according to Sebeda.
[00:11:51] Speaker A: Currently there is no updates. There was multiple of the things from other jurisdictions that they were dealing with, so currently it's just as is.
[00:12:01] Speaker B: For now, the incident ended safely with no injuries reported from the pursuit itself. As of now, no additional details have been released. KMUD will update if new information becomes available.
In national news Gaza residents are still facing starvation despite limited aid allowed in by Israel in Gaza. For kpfa, Rami Al Megari reports.
[00:12:24] Speaker C: Here in Gaza City, local residents and displaced ones still complain of skyrocketing prices of goods and commodities, despite the fact that dozens of truckloads and air dropped aid supplies have recently been sent to Gaza following an Israeli decision to allow aid in. Khadija is an elderly mother who was displaced from Gaza City after her family home was destroyed during the war.
[00:12:55] Speaker D: We want a solution. We will not leave Gaza, but find us a solution I tell you. Throw chemicals on us and kill us. Can you imagine? One tomato is $50. If we find something to eat, we.
[00:13:09] Speaker A: Can'T complete a decent dish.
[00:13:11] Speaker E: We can't afford that.
[00:13:12] Speaker D: We can't afford flour or tomatoes. We are here only waiting to die.
[00:13:21] Speaker C: Khadijah's complaint is shared with others in Gaza City. Abdullah is the head of a four member family.
[00:13:32] Speaker F: I fed my family with whatever is available or affordable. Half a kilo of lentils is sold for $7. When I can't afford it, I go to charitable kitchens to get some food. For the past two months I have not been able to afford flour and could not bring any home. Unfortunately, thieves and gangs take over the flour and other goods. We demand a stop to the bloodshed and the delivery of AIDS to those who need it in a fair way. Thirdly, we demand the lifting of closure of Gaza and ending the humiliation that the Gaza Strip is going through.
[00:14:11] Speaker C: The bloodshed over points of aid delivery continues unabated either at the flashpoint in Northen or southern Gaza are at Food distribution sites run by the Israel backed US NGO US Gaza Humanitarian Foundation.
According to local official estimates in Gaza, more than 1,000 Palestinians have been reportedly shot dead since March when the GHF was inaugurated. GHF denies those accusations and the Israeli army says it has begun investigations. Sameher is a displaced mother from Khan Yunis in southern Gaza Strip. Her son Hassan Abu Alwan was shot dead near Rafah in southern Gaza on July 20th.
The grieving mother says her 18 year old son had no choice but to bring food to his ailing father and three sisters.
[00:15:15] Speaker D: Even air dropping aid is unsafe and deadly. Can you imagine a pallet that falls from the sky could kill someone on the ground.
This is the wrong way.
We hope that the aid supplies come to us by a secure system of delivery.
We are completely tired and inside me there is a volcano for the death of my son.
A volcano that is never getting calmer.
He was my only son who I had dreamed of, but it was God's destiny that he is no longer alive.
[00:15:51] Speaker C: Over the weekend, larger crowds of hungry Palestinians rushed to the Israel Gaza borderlines, mainly near the Zikim border point, to get food supplies from truckloads. This week those deliveries continue, but Israeli army fire dispersing the crowds has killed dozens so far. Abdul Karim Al Sahar is a displaced resident from the northern Gaza Strip town of Beitanoon now living in Gaza City. He told Pacifica that he and many others were exposed to to assaults by gangs who loot the aid.
[00:16:35] Speaker F: I have attempted to come here multiple times. Only today I was able to get a big bag of flour and I swore to give half of it as charity to needy ones around. But the thieves snatched it from me right on the truckload. May God take revenge on them. I swear by God that my children are starving and crying at home as I have nothing there and no money. May God take revenge on them. Come see my daughter. Her body was turned into bones and she is crying. They have stolen it from me. Unfortunately.
[00:17:08] Speaker C: Current mechanisms for distributing aid to the population of Gaza have been met with local and international criticism. The United nations has called on Israel to make sure aid is distributed via UN institutions such as UNRWA and the world through the program.
Yet KAIOS continues. Mohammed Abu Jayab, an economic analyst based in the central Gaza Strip town of Deir el Bala, explains.
[00:17:46] Speaker F: If you want to talk about the chaotic situation of aid delivery, the thieves and the prevention of delivery of aid to the population by organized means, let us say that it seems that the current Israeli policy is based on starving the population without triggering anger from the international community. The starvation is real and the Israeli government and its head are well aware of that. What happens is merely allowing in the aid amid chaos that would block people from getting those aid by preventing international organizations from placing the supplies in the store safely so they can be distributed fairly.
On the other hand, Israeli leaves that aid in the hands of these and collaborators in areas under Israeli control, either in southern Rafah or in Zakim in northern Gaza, or with some collaborating Bedoyan family who loot the aid in central Gaza Strip right near the Israeli tank. Any aid without safe passage or security, the situation will remain in place. What proves this is the fact that recently when local security wanted to protect those truckloads in northern Gaza Strip, the Israeli army hit them instantly, taking their lives.
[00:19:07] Speaker C: Over the past months of war, the Israeli army has repeatedly targeted Hamas police task forces and guards of aid supplies as part of Israel's stated campaign to eliminate Hamas. Israeli officials maintain that aid should not reach the hands of Hamas in line with Israel's declared goal of ending Hamas rule in Gaza. For Pacifica Radio kpfa, I am Rami Al Muhari in Gaza.
[00:19:40] Speaker B: Texas Democratic lawmakers leave state to block scheduled Republican redistricting vote KPFA's Christopher Martinez reports.
[00:19:50] Speaker G: The Texas House of Representatives had planned to vote Monday on a redistricting plan favoring Republicans for the upcoming midterm elections, but they had to cancel the vote because they lacked a quorum, and they lacked a quorum because because Texas Democrats had left the House. Republican Dustin Burroughs is speaker of the Texas House.
[00:20:08] Speaker E: The sergeant in arms and any officers appointed by her are directed to send for all absentees whose attendance is not excused for the purposes of securing and maintaining their attendance under warrant of arrest if necessary, until further order of the House.
[00:20:22] Speaker G: Texas governor Greg Abbott promptly swore out civil arrest warrants for the Democrats, but Texas state Minority party leader Jean Wu says leaving the state was the right thing to do to protect the people of Texas.
[00:20:34] Speaker E: Their attempts to disenfranchise Texans is being the tool they're using is a racist gerrymandered map, a map that seeks to use racial lines to divide hardworking communities who have spent decades building up their power and strengthening their voices.
And Governor Abbott is doing this in submission to Donald Trump.
[00:21:07] Speaker G: Wu was speaking to reporters in Illinois, where he was joined by Governor J.B. pritzker, who said the Democrats are protecting the voting rights of people across the nation.
[00:21:16] Speaker E: We know that you are making great sacrifices to resist the power grab that's being perpetrated by Donald Trump, by Governor Abbott and by Texas Republicans.
[00:21:27] Speaker G: Governor Pritzker, who owns the Chicago Hyatt Hotel, has said he'll provide free rooms to the Texas Democrats. Other Democrats were in Albany, New York, where Governor Kathy Hochul welcomed them as profiles in courage who are standing up to what she calls a blatant power grab.
[00:21:43] Speaker A: I have news flash for Republicans in Texas.
This is no longer the Wild West.
[00:21:49] Speaker E: We're not going to tolerate our democracy being stolen in a modern day stagecoach hoist by a bunch of law breaking cowboys.
[00:21:57] Speaker G: Texas Democrat Carl Hastie said there's been no respect for the Constitution or for people since President Donald Trump was sworn into office.
[00:22:05] Speaker A: It's really like being in a bad.
[00:22:07] Speaker E: Movie of just a hostile takeover of.
[00:22:11] Speaker A: What is supposed to be the greatest country.
[00:22:14] Speaker B: In this world.
[00:22:16] Speaker G: Yet another Texan in New York, Texas House Democratic Caucus Vice Chair Michaela Plesa says the fight is not just about lines on a map. It's about lives on the line.
[00:22:26] Speaker E: I remember when Trump called Georgia, he called the Secretary of state, he told them, I need to just find 11,780 votes.
What did Georgia say?
[00:22:38] Speaker A: No?
[00:22:40] Speaker E: Well, Donald Trump called our governor and he said, I just need a small change. I just need you to send me five congressional members.
What did our governor say?
Sure, give me a minute.
Coming right up.
[00:22:58] Speaker G: Some blue state governors are doing more than hosting Texas Democrats. States like California and New York are considering their own redistricting plan in response to the Texas move. Some good government advocates criticize that path as a move backwards towards more partisan and less representative democracy. But New York Governor Hochul says you have to fight fire with fire.
[00:23:20] Speaker A: This is a war.
[00:23:21] Speaker E: We are at war.
And that's why the gloves are off.
[00:23:25] Speaker A: And I say bring it on.
[00:23:27] Speaker G: Reporting for Pacifica Radio News kpfa, I'm Christopher Martinez.
[00:23:33] Speaker B: In National Native News, Brian Bull reads today's headlines.
[00:23:38] Speaker E: This is National Native News. I'm Brian Bowles sitting in for Antonia Gonzales. The native village of Kliquan, just north of Haines, Alaska, is grappling with landside risk that's intensifying with climate change. It's also posing a major obstacle to the community's growth. The village is in the thick of a research project to better understand the threats. And as Avery Elfelt reports for the Alaska Desk, residents hope the information will guide housing development in the years to come.
[00:24:05] Speaker D: Decades ago in the Chilkat Valley, heavy rains would send mudflows tumbling down the Tocshinook Mountains, over the International highway and into Kluquan Dan Hodge remembers it well. He says the slides in the 70s, 80s and 90s would damage buildings and send rocks and mud under the deck of his family's home.
[00:24:23] Speaker C: Growing up as a kid, we hated.
[00:24:25] Speaker E: August and September weather because we knew the rains were coming and we knew the waters would be coming down.
[00:24:32] Speaker D: Then about 25 years ago, a community member built a berm to direct the debris away from the village. It worked, says Hoch, who is now an environmental specialist with the Chilkat Indian Village. But that's starting to shift as the slide path evolves and in some instances points the sediment back toward Klukwan. That has major implications for the community's long term future. The tribe wants to expand the village, which is currently home to roughly 90 residents. But the major question is where new housing should go amid intensifying landslide risk. The conundrum isn't isolated to Klukwan. Communities around the world are scrambling to figure out how to protect homes and build new ones as natural disasters intensify with climate change. In the Chilkat Valley, work is already underway to better understand and reduce those risks.
[00:25:19] Speaker G: And we're walking across large mounds of debris, big boulders.
[00:25:24] Speaker D: That's Josh Roaring, a University of Oregon based geomorphologist involved in the project. Walking through a dense patch of forest on a recent field visit to Klukwan, he points to little black boxes strapped high on trees.
[00:25:36] Speaker A: These are called infrasound sensors, so they're.
[00:25:38] Speaker E: Recording things that we are not hearing. But it is happening in the environment.
[00:25:43] Speaker D: The tribe will ideally be able to use that information to plan new berms, support grant applications and support safe community development, Hotch says. That could encourage tribal members to move home. That idea is personal. He moved back to Klukwan about a decade ago after spending a number of years in Oregon for boarding school and later for work.
[00:26:02] Speaker E: Great to be home. I need more people back at home.
[00:26:05] Speaker D: The ongoing research is an early step in that direction. In Klukwan, I'm Avery Elfelt.
[00:26:12] Speaker E: Native leaders visited Ireland this summer, including a delegation which presented a Navajo rug to Ireland's parliament. Sho mcpullen explains.
Former Navajo Nation Attorney General Ethel Branch presented the Irish Parliament with a rug by weaver Florence Riggs. Branch led a delegation from the Navajo and Hopi family's COVID 19 relief fund.
The rug was a thank you gift for the estimated $3 million in donations from Ireland to the two nations during the pandemic, including $100,000 from U2 drummer Larry Mullen.
The rug depicts the Kindred Spirit sculpture in the Irish county of Cork, which honors Choctaw Nation donations to Irish famine victims in the 1819 40s. That gift inspired the World Peace Gathering last month featuring branch and hereditary Chief Phil Lane Jr. Of the Yankton, Dakota and Chickasaw tribes. During the event, he honored the Irish people. They've suffered as we've suffered, and they still are the most giving people per capita of the world, in the entire world.
I can get a hand for the Irish for that.
For National Native News Irish And I'm Sean McCullen in Ireland. And I'm Brian bowl in the KLCC Studios of Eugene, Oregon, Native Voice 1.
[00:27:38] Speaker F: The Native American radio network.
[00:27:55] Speaker B: That's all for tonight's broadcast. Thanks for listening. Thanks to our engineer, Katie Phillips, and thanks to our reporters Christopher Martinez, Rami Almagari and Brian Bowl. KMUD News is online and you can find us on kmud.org and now streaming on most podcast platforms, including Apple Podcasts and Spotify, where you can download our stories and newscasts for offline listening during the rural commute notes. You can also follow us on social media. If you have questions or suggestions, you can give us a call at 707-923-2605 or send an email to newsmud.org Redwood Community Radio is funded by Press Forward, the national movement to strengthen communities by reinvigorating local news. Learn more at PressForward News. Reporting for KMUD, I'm Jordan Panjalian.
[00:28:43] Speaker C: Sam.
