Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility

West Bank Town Becomes ‘Big Prison’ as Israel Fences It In

3 hours ago

Trump Says He’s Willing to Let Migrant Farm Laborers Stay in US

3 hours ago

US Electric Vehicle Tax Breaks Will Expire on Sept. 30

22 hours ago

Eyeing Arctic Dominance, Trump Bill Earmarks $8.6 Billion for US Coast Guard Icebreakers

23 hours ago

Trump’s Sweeping Tax-Cut and Spending Bill Wins Congressional Approval

24 hours ago

Americans Celebrate Their Independence With Record-Breaking Travel Numbers

1 day ago

US Supreme Court to Decide Legality of Transgender School Sports Bans

1 day ago

Nvidia Set to Become the World’s Most Valuable Company in History

1 day ago

Poll: 41% in US ‘Extremely Proud’ to Be American, Near Historic Low

1 day ago
Heatwave, Rabid Bats, COVID, Smoky Air, Flex Alert. What's Next for Fresno?
Bill McEwen updated website photo 2024
By Bill McEwen, News Director
Published 5 years ago on
August 19, 2020

Share

Today defines what it means to be Fresno Strong.

Public health officials are telling folks not to touch dead bats because they could be rabid.

The heatwave continues, electricity conservation is a must, the air is smoky, and there’s a rabid bat warning amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Wednesday’s high temperature is expected to be 107 degrees, and an Excessive Heat Warning remains in effect.

Though the state — thanks to conservation efforts by residents — avoided rolling electricity blackouts on Monday and Tuesday, there’s a Flex Alert today from 2 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Because of wildfires, the Valley Air District has issued a Health Caution and is advising residents to remain indoors.

Public health officials are telling folks not to touch dead bats because they could be rabid.

Meanwhile, Fresno is one of 42 counties on California’s COVID-19 watch list.

And, that means children and parents are having to navigate the first days of distance learning and the usual family dynamics that can be challenging in so-called “normal times.”

So, where do we begin?

Tips on staying safe and cool during a heatwavean

Report but Don’t Touch Dead Bats

This heatwave isn’t just straining the electricity grid and causing wildfires. It’s deadly for bats. Don’t be surprised if you find one on the ground near your house or somewhere else.

“These bats can be potential carriers of rabies,” said the Fresno County Department of Public Health in a news release. “Rabies is a very serious disease and is almost always fatal if not treated before symptoms appear.”

The department reports that a rabid bat was found in central Fresno recently and six bats last year tested positive for rabies.

Make sure dogs and cats are vaccinated.

If you come across a dead bat in the city of Fresno, call the Central California SPCA, (559) 233-7722. Residents in unincorporated county areas should call Fresno Humane Animal Services, (559) 600-PETS.

For more information on rabies, call (559) 600-3332 or visit www.fcdph.org/PETS.

Wildfires Filling Valley With Smoke

Multiple wildfires are bringing smoke into the San Joaquin Valley and making breathing difficult.

“Anyone experiencing poor air quality due to wildfire smoke should move indoors, to a filtered, air-conditioned environment with windows closed.” — Valley Air District

People “with existing respiratory conditions, including COVID-19, young children and the elderly, are especially susceptible to the health effects from this form of pollution,” the Valley Air District said in a news release. “Anyone experiencing poor air quality due to wildfire smoke should move indoors, to a filtered, air-conditioned environment with windows closed.”

The three fires cited by air officials as being responsible for the health: the Lake Fire in Southern California, the Canyon Zone Fire in Stanislaus and San Joaquin counties, and the Hills Fire nine miles south of Coalinga near Highway 33.

The Hills Fire has burned 1,500 acres and is 35% contained. Cal Fire reports that 462 personnel are battling the blaze in steep terrain. Containment is expected by Aug. 27.

These are a few of the many wildfires underway in California.

On Tuesday, Gov. Gavin Newsom declared an emergency, easing the way to secure federal grants and also out-of-state firefighting help.

Photo of wildfires
Bill Nichols, 84, works to save his home as the LNU Lightning Complex fires tear through Vacaville, on Wednesday, Aug. 19, 2020. Nichols has lived in the home for 77 years. Fire crews across the region scrambled to contain dozens of wildfires sparked by lightning strikes as a statewide heatwave continues. (AP Photo/Noah Berger)

Rolling Blackouts Averted, but Conservation Still Needed

After warning Tuesday that as many as 2 million homes and businesses might be subject to rotating blackouts, the California Independent System Operator canceled its emergency declaration Tuesday night.

“That’s a wrap. You did it, California consumers,” California ISO tweeted, adding: “Thank you for keeping the electricity flowing.”

Wednesday morning, the managers of the state’s electricity grid, said that today’s Flex Alert would move up an hour. During a Flex Alert, residents are asked to do whatever they can to save power.

How to See If Your House Might Go Dark

You can follow the state’s electricity supply, current demand, and expected peak demand in real-time at this link.

In addition, PG&E customers can look up their address to determine if their household will be affected by a rolling blackout. Visit www.pge.com/rotatingoutages to check your address.

graphic of tips to reduce power use and avoid rolling electricity blackouts

DON'T MISS

What Are Fresno Real Estate Experts Predicting for 2025 and Beyond?

DON'T MISS

First California EV Mandates Hit Automakers This Year. Most Are Not Even Close

DON'T MISS

Fresno Crash Involving Unlicensed Teen Driver Sends Woman to Hospital

DON'T MISS

Madre Fire Burns More Than 52,000 Acres in San Luis Obispo County

DON'T MISS

RIP John Harris: Fresno County Rancher, Racehorse Breeder Was a Visionary Leader Who Leaves a ‘Profound Legacy’

DON'T MISS

Valadao, Costa Spar on What Passage of Trump’s Bill Means for Medicaid Recipients

DON'T MISS

US Military Says 200 Marines Being Sent to Support ICE in Florida

DON'T MISS

Boeing Secures $2.8 Billion US Satellite Contract

DON'T MISS

Kaweah Health Names Its New Chief Nurse. She’s From Texas

DON'T MISS

Clovis Police Say At-Risk Missing Woman Found Dead in Mariposa County

DON'T MISS

Over 100 Former Senior Officials Warn Against Planned Staff Cuts at US State Department

DON'T MISS

US Electric Vehicle Tax Breaks Will Expire on Sept. 30

UP NEXT

RIP John Harris: Fresno County Rancher, Racehorse Breeder Was a Visionary Leader Who Leaves a ‘Profound Legacy’

UP NEXT

Valadao, Costa Spar on What Passage of Trump’s Bill Means for Medicaid Recipients

UP NEXT

Kaweah Health Names Its New Chief Nurse. She’s From Texas

UP NEXT

Clovis Police Say At-Risk Missing Woman Found Dead in Mariposa County

UP NEXT

Fresno Police Recover Some of the $40,000 in Fireworks Stolen From Bullard High Team

UP NEXT

Riverdale High School Coach Arrested for Allegedly Arranging to Meet Minor

UP NEXT

Could Cuddly Colby Be the Darling Gem for You?

UP NEXT

Valley Crime Stoppers’ Most Wanted Person of the Day: Sandra Neredia Jaquez

UP NEXT

Trump Impounds Billions in Education Funding. For Fresno Unified, It’s $7.1 Million

UP NEXT

Americans Celebrate Their Independence With Record-Breaking Travel Numbers

Bill McEwen,
News Director
Bill McEwen is news director and columnist for GV Wire. He joined GV Wire in August 2017 after 37 years at The Fresno Bee. With The Bee, he served as Opinion Editor, City Hall reporter, Metro columnist, sports columnist and sports editor through the years. His work has been frequently honored by the California Newspapers Publishers Association, including authoring first-place editorials in 2015 and 2016. Bill and his wife, Karen, are proud parents of two adult sons, and they have two grandsons. You can contact Bill at 559-492-4031 or at Send an Email

Oil Dips Ahead of Expected OPEC+ Output Increase

3 hours ago

613 Killed at Gaza Aid Distribution Sites, Near Humanitarian Covoys, Says UN

3 hours ago

Fresno County Authorities Investigating Suspicious Death of Transient Man

3 hours ago

West Bank Town Becomes ‘Big Prison’ as Israel Fences It In

3 hours ago

Israeli Military Kills 20 in Gaza as Trump Awaits Hamas Reply to Truce Proposal

3 hours ago

Valley Crime Stoppers’ Most Wanted Person of the Day: Rachelle Maria Blanco

3 hours ago

Russia Pounds Kyiv With Largest Drone Attack, Hours After Trump-Putin Call

3 hours ago

Boxer Chavez Jr Expected to Be Deported to Mexico to Serve Sentence, Mexican President Says

3 hours ago

Markets’ 90-Day Tariff Pause Rollercoaster Nears an Uncertain End

3 hours ago

Trump Says He’s Willing to Let Migrant Farm Laborers Stay in US

3 hours ago

Trump to Sign Tax-Cut and Spending Bill in July 4 Ceremony

President Donald Trump is scheduled to sign a massive package of tax and spending cuts into law at a ceremony at the White House on Friday, ...

2 hours ago

President Donald Trump speaks during a press conference in the Roosevelt Room at the White House in Washington, D.C., U.S., May 12, 2025. (Reuters File)
2 hours ago

Trump to Sign Tax-Cut and Spending Bill in July 4 Ceremony

The Madre Fire burning near New Cuyama has scorched 52,592 acres as of Friday, July 4, 2025, morning, making it California’s largest wildfire of the year, with only 10% containment and multiple evacuation zones in place. (CalFire)
2 hours ago

Madre Fire Spurs Evacuations Across 3 Counties, Tops as 2025’s Largest Wildfire in California

2 hours ago

Clovis, Sanger, Madera, and Bass Lake Will Light the Sky With Fireworks Shows Tonight

A pumpjack operates at the Vermilion Energy site in Trigueres, France, June 14, 2024. (Reuters File)
3 hours ago

Oil Dips Ahead of Expected OPEC+ Output Increase

Palestinians gather to collect what remains of relief supplies from the distribution center of the U.S.-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, in Rafah, in the southern Gaza Strip, June 5, 2025. (Reuters File)
3 hours ago

613 Killed at Gaza Aid Distribution Sites, Near Humanitarian Covoys, Says UN

Billy Wayne Sinisgalli, a 54-year-old transient known locally as Wayne, was found dead along a rural Fresno road Wednesday in what authorities are investigating as a suspicious death. (Fresno County SO)
3 hours ago

Fresno County Authorities Investigating Suspicious Death of Transient Man

Israel Builds a Fence Around the West Bank
3 hours ago

West Bank Town Becomes ‘Big Prison’ as Israel Fences It In

A view of the site of Thursday's Israeli strike that damaged and destroyed residential buildings, at Shati (Beach) refugee camp, in Gaza City, July 4, 2025. (Reuters/Mahmoud Issa)
3 hours ago

Israeli Military Kills 20 in Gaza as Trump Awaits Hamas Reply to Truce Proposal

Help continue the work that gets you the news that matters most.

Search

Send this to a friend