i wanted to show you a sign at one of the entrances to a park to phoenix lake. high fire danger, dry weather conditions. starting today and the next month the water district will pump water from the phoenix lake, one of the reserve reservoirs for customers in central and southern marin. they are going to pump uphill, that's what adds to the price. they want to do it before the supply they have evaporates. they are also preparing a second reservoir for use in the spring if we don't get more rain. marin is different than some water districts in that it doesn't rely on the snowpack, just the rain. mount tam's reservoir normally at 77%. right now it's closer to 55%. customers are asked to watch their water use. reporting live in marin county, christie smith, "today in the bay." >> thanks very much. >> 5:11. why the federal government stepped in last night and stopped california from tightening regulations on oil refineries. >> why google is keeping an eye on what's happening in a san diego traffic court. >> we'll take a look at why it is so simple to buy the wrong s

i wanted to show you video we have of phoenix lake. this is the reserve reservoir that they will start pulling water out of to a distribution system for customers in central and southern marin according to the marin i.j., they don't normally like to do this because they have to pump uphill and that's expensive but they are running out of choices because we haven't had the rains we need. the last time that two reservoirs on mt. tam were pumped were over 20 years ago. they are seeing the reservoir at 55%, the average is closer to 80%. marin is different in that it doesn't rely on the snowpack, just the rain that it gets. at the entrance to a park leading to phoenix lake this morning there is a high fire danger sign up and dry conditions and that means it's closed. that runs through a little later this morning. right now what's happening is people are asked to watch their matter use in general. but of course rationing could be next and they may be considering that as early as april. reporting live in marin county, christie smith, "today i

because of the drought so tomorrow water officials will tap one of their stand by reservoirs, phoenix lake. it is something that hasn't been done for years. john alston is live with more. >> some residents are limiting water use by not providing glasses because of the possibity of water rationing looming in the coming months. reservoir levels are at half capacity and no rain in sight. >> you won't find the water glasses already on the tables at san rafael joe's. customers have to ask if they want water with their meal. >> i try to cut down a little bit. i take shorter showers, but i drink a lot of water. >> they decided to stop the automatic water servings a week ago and they have seen a slight drop in the water requests. >> our understanding is it requires about seven glasses of water for every glass of water you serve in order to clean the glass and the water you are served. it just makes sense of the water shortage. >> it has gotten so serious that beginning tomorrow the marin municipal water district will start pumping water out of phoenix lake on mount tam. one of the two reserve rese

because of the drought so tomorrow water officials will tap one of their stand by reservoirs, phoenix lakeone for years. john alston is live with more. >> some residents are limiting water use by not providing glasses because of the possibility of water rationing looming in the coming months. reservoir levels are at half capacity and no rain in sight. >> you won't find the water glasses already on the tables at san rafael joe's. customers have to ask if they want water with their meal. >> i try to cut down a little bit. i take shorter showers, but i drink a lot of water. >> they decided to stop the automatic water servings a week ago and they have seen a slight drop in the water requests. >> our understanding is it requires about seven glasses of water for every glass of water you serve in order to clean the glass and the water you are served. it just makes sense of the water shortage. >> it has gotten so serious that beginning tomorrow the marin municipal water district will start pumping water out of phoenix lake on mount tam. one of the two reserve reservoirs. it will drop 20 feet over

because of the drought so tomorrow water officials will tap one of their stand by reservoirs, phoenix lakeone for years. john alston is live with more. >> some residents are limiting water use by not providing glasses because of the possibility of water rationing looming in the coming months. reservoir levels are at half capacity and no rain in sight. >> you won't find the water glasses already on the tables at san rafael joe's. customers have to ask if they want with with their meal. >> i try to cut down a little bit. i take shorter showers, but i drink a lot of water. >> they decided to stop the automatic water servings a week ago and they have seen a slight drop in the water requests. >> our understanding is it requires about seven glasses of water for every glass of water you serve in order to clean the glass and the water you are served. it just makes sense of the water shortage. >> it has gotten so serious that beginning tomorrow the marin municipal water district will start pumping water out of phoenix lake on mount tam. one of the two reserve reservoirs. it will drop 20 feet over t

the only water is running uphill. >> we started pumping water out of phoenix lake. which is a reserve supply water reservoirs into our water distribution system. >> reporter: the lake is 600 feet below the water district's treatment plant. pumping 65 million-gallons of water up that high requires a lot of expensive power. it is clearly not something the district wants to do. >> we are doing that because it is a dry year. reservoir supplies are below average. we are operating our system to maximize the supplies we have. >> reporter: to give you an idea how serious the situation is for the direct, except for a few days in 2012 the pump in this lake hasn't been turned on in 20 years. marine municipal relies on run off from the mountain a few miles from where the users live. direct is asking customers to cut out unnecessary usage by fixing leaks and not irrigating plants that are probably dormant anyway. if water rationing should become mandatory in the future, at least residents seen it coming. >> we are waiting to see if rain is going to come or what is going to happen

theme of what happened today, a severe water shortage is forcing marin county to pump water out of phoenix lake. one of the two reserve reservoirs. it was done briefly two years ago during a brief dry spell but has not been used consistently as a water source in 20 years. if the water does not improve, they will use this, they are asking for voluntarily conservation. >>> and a teen was air lifted with severe burns to his chest and hands after his clothes caught fire at the station. he was being dropped off at the bart station, a friend little a cigarette, his clothes ignited. police say it appears to have been an accident. >>> and a deadly fire in newark. fire officials say a man has died near elmwood avenue, breaking out about 9:40 last night. crews say it started in the kitchen. they had it under control in ten minutes. an elderly man taken to the hospital, though, sadly, did not survive. >>> happening now, a woman who lost hundreds of thousands of dollars in an on-line search for love told her story exclusively to abc 7 news. this is a story you will see only on 7. katie? >> reporter: eric,

in marin county they have begun tapping phoenix lake sending water to the system's distribution systeme below average. >> reporter: except for a few days in 2012, the pump in that lake hasn't been turned on for more than 20 years. the district is asking customers to lower usage by fixing leaks and not watering dormant plants. >> everyone is aware it hasn't been raining and so we are all just waiting to see if it's going to rain. >> reporter: farmers from the san joaquin valley rallied at the capital yesterday asking the state to request federal assistance before the drought gets worse. >> the governor can't make it rain but there are a few things that can be done. >> reporter: another thing that can be done in the future improvements to the state's water storage system. so we don't run into these sorts of tight supplies in the future p but again, that takes money. and that would be a while before it's actually implemented. live in san francisco, anne makovec, kpix 5. >>> the university of california system isic maaing plans to deal with the drought. their new president janet napolitano

weather is prompting the marin water district to tap a water district that hasn't been touched from phoenix lake near the town of ross into the county water supply, averaging 55% at capacity. if there's no significant rain, county residents can expect mandatory rationing by april. >>> water agencies say the first step is knowing exactly how much water you use. as tom vacar reports, learning how to read your water meter can help you lower your water bill. >>> the most systems, your water meter's under the rectangular concrete cover in front of your home. east bay mud's encouraging customers to monitor their own use daily if possible. >> reporter: if you want to monitor your daily water use or find out if you have a leak, simply learn how to read your meter right down here. >> if you shut off your water in the house and take the meter lid off, and see that spinning it means you have a leak. >> many have a big dial and a numerical display like a dial. >> you may need a tooth pick or pin and line it up where that -- that dial is and just come back ten minutes later. if it's moved you probably have a

. >> reporter: this is phoenix lake. emergency reserve that officials will begin pumping out tomorrow for the first time in 20 years. >> what we want to do is maximize the available water we have in our system now while we can do that. >> reporter: he told me levels today are 71% of normal, so low without rain water rationing including fines may be six weeks away. >> i think it is a good idea. we use too much water as it is. >> i think they should impose it -- should have at the beginning the of year. >> reporter: rations 37 years ago required building a water pipeline. >> that will help retain the water. >> reporter: he lived through those days and says it scares him. >> now i am afraid the people will stop calling and wanting panting and they will postpone it. >> reporter: he says this garden is a good investment, cutting water use by half. >> i am thinking of a water collection system. >> reporter: officials say conservation won't be enough, it has to rain and doesn't look good. john fowler, ktvu channel 2 news. >>> t

they are pumping phoenix lake in marin and a drought has already been declared in mendocino county and things -- doesn't look like they will be getting anytime soon. just yesterday the national weather service said that there done appear to be much rain coming for the next 90 days. live in san francisco, anne makovec, kpix 5. >>> that's a long time, three months. >> i wouldn't go there. i have seen so many of those forecasts go wrong so we hope they are. we hope we get that rain going. but right now looks like we are staying dry in the near future. today another round of records falling around the bay area as high pressure is in control. back to the 70s inside the bay and the valleys. upper 60s maybe some low 70s at the coast. it is clear and chilly temperatures down to the 20s, 41 san jose, 46 san francisco. 33 in concord. this afternoon 60s and 70s. looks like another possible report breaking day today. let's check your "kcbs traffic" with elizabeth. >>> a gravel spill in pleasanton causing some delays on westbound 580 to southbound 680 the connector ramp and now it's even backing up

just yesterday the water district started draining phoenix lake, one of the reserve reservoirs. a few years ago it explored the option of a desalination plant as a back up water supply. they beat a legal challenge who said the operation would create its own waste. governor brown's declaration of a drought emergency has not kick-started the push for a desalination plant. >> we should be thinking about it and we have to have it. but not for this route. it is for the next route. >> i think what is happening with the current drought it is something we definitely need to look at again. >> a plan to convert saltwater would cost millions and cost millions to build. he is trying to solve the immediate crisis. abc7 news. >> water around -- on the waterfront, but not in the sky. we are still waiting for rain. record setting highs and meteorologist sandhya patel is here with live doppler 7hd. >> yeah, dan. round four of record highs. live doppler 7hd is tracking no rain right now. as we look at the records for the day we had all time records at monterey, salinas and downtown and the airpor

. >> the water district says the reason for pumping the phoenix lake reserve now is they want to use the water supply before it begins to evaluate. >> it's been a few days since a naked man was last seen on a school campus in south san francisco. parents and students are still on edge. there have been about a half- dozen reports of a naked man on or near school campuses around the city. the most recent was monday at south city high. a naked man in his 40s went into a locker room and exposed himself to five girls. angry parents say there were two other disturbing incidents on campus just this month. they are expected to go before the school board tonight to demand more security cameras and police patrols on cameras. >> our children need to be protected and to find out that a naked person came on campus exposing himself is unacceptable to me. >> the school board meeting is set for 7:00 tonight. anyone with information about the naked man is asked to call south san francisco police. >>> petaluma homeowners are being warned about a wave of break-ins. police say they have see sponded to -

just yesterday the water district started draining phoenix lake, one of the reserve reservoirs. a few years ago it explored the option of a desalination plant as a back up water supply. they beat a legal challenge who said the operation would create its own waste. governor brown's declaration of a drought emergency has not kick-started the push for a desalination plant. >> we should be thinking about it and we have to have it. but not for this route. it is for the next route. >> i think what is happening with the current drought it is something we definitely need to look at again. >> a plan to convert saltwater would cost millions and cost millions to build. he is trying to solve the immediate crisis. abc7 news. >> water around -- on the waterfront, but not in the sky. we are still waiting for rain. record setting highs and meteorologist sandhya patel is here with live doppler 7hd. >> yeah, dan. round four of record highs. live doppler 7hd is tracking no rain right now. as we look at the records for the day we had all time records at monterey, salinas and downtown and the airpor

in marin county they are already tapping reserves in phoenix lake except for a few days in 2012 that hasn't been done for more than 20 years. >> we are in a unprecedented very serious situation. >> under the drout declaration water transfers will be made easier by cutting red tape. the governor will ask the federal government for money and to speed up the environmental analysis for the delta water project, a plan to build underground tunnels to send water south. for the long term, governor brown says it's time to get serious about building infrastructure to conserve our water supplies. >> between what is technically feasible and what we're doing is a huge gap. >> for every day californiaans the water restrictions are voluntary for now. >> as the weeks go by, we'll recalibrate and certainly we're holding out the possibility of mandatory conservation. >> yeah, the federal government has already made a move to help california. they've declared about half of the state natural disaster areas which means farmers are eligible for low interest loan, frank? >> so what about the possibility of

in the meantime, the water district is pumping water from phoenix lake reservoir. the plan is to pump 65 million gallons to serve most of the county. however, reservoirs in the area are only 55% of normal. if there isn't a big change soon, we could be looking atwater rationing by late march. today, one resident recalled the '76 drought and the water rationing that followed. >> it was very dry. they put across a pipe across the bridge. quit watering your garden and washing your car. >> reporter: the worst case scenario includes severe water rationing plans. but it may tap into the second reserve reservoir. that hasn't been done since the early '90s. there are the rebates available for people who buy the high efficiency systems from toilets to washers. and the counties have kicked off their awareness ad campaign, drought on, water off to remind people to conserve. but it usually kicks off in the summertime. stephanie troung, nbc bay area news. >> let's bring in meteorologist rob mayeda for a look at how severe the drought is. things seem to be getting worse. >> the d

at marin, pumping at phoenix lake. the drought declaration has already dropped and governor brown appears prepared to play catchup. >> not today, but we are certainly getting ready. >> reporter: of course, that is expected at 9:00 a.m. tomorrow. perhaps one of the things that forced governor brown's hand was the announcement from the national weather service that the extended forecast, the next 90 days. february, march, and april, expected to be very dry with very little precipitation in that forecast. reporting live in san francisco, andria borba, kpix5. >> thanks so much. let's bring in meteorologist paul deanno in now. we have known for months this drought is on us. >> you are right. this is a formality. there are some things that will occur once it is officially a drought. we knew it was a dry year, the driest calendar year on record, we are setting the stage for the driest january on record. so we have been downgraded from a severe drought to an extreme drought. now 63% of the state of california has been downgrad

that's because phoenix lake which is down below us here in the county's other reservoirs are only about half full right now after one of the driest years on record. this morning the board of supervisors held a so-called drought summit which representatives from the various -- which represents various districts. county leaders are asking people to voluntary cut water use by 25%. but the situation could get even more serious as we approach the end of the water year in april. that's when a decision will have to be made on mandatory rationing. >> given how little rain there has been which is to say none, we may recome to that conclusion sooner. it's dire. this is not just a dry year. this has been the driest year since we started keeping records for the last hundred years. >> reporter: and the drought is a huge concern for ranchers here in marin county. one dairy farmer showed up to see what if any help he may be able to get from the county as the lack of rainfall continues to threaten his business. dry pastures means he has to pay more to feed his livestock. >> so the cost is gonna still h

just yesterday the water district started draining phoenix lake, one of the reserve reservoirs. a few years ago it explored the option of a desalination plant as a back up water supply. they beat a legal challenge who said the operation would create its own waste. governor brown's declaration of a drought emergency has not kick-started the push for a desalination plant. >> we should be thinking have to it and we have to have it. but not for this route. it is for the next route. >> i think what is happening with the current drought it is something we definitely need to look at again. >> a plan to convert saltwater would cost millions and cost millions to build. he is trying to solve the immediate crisis. abc7 news. >> water around -- on the waterfront, but not in the sky. we are still waiting for rain. record setting highs and meteorologist sandhya patel is here with live doppler 7hd. >> yeah, dan. round four of record highs. live doppler 7hd is tracking no rain right now. as we look at the records for the day we had all time records at monterey, salinas and downtown and the airp

. >> this drug stressed coyote today had no fear of us or of hikers at phoenix lake and emergency reserve that water officials said they will begin using tomorrow for the fest time in 20 years. >> what we want to do is maximize available water that we have in our system now while we can do that. >> marin municipal water district mike vaun told me district reservoir levels today are so low that without significant rain, water rationing including fines may be just six weeks away. >> i think it's a good idea. i think we used too much water as it is, and i think we should all try to ration water where we can. >> they should propose starting at the beginning of the year. it's been obvious we haven't had enough rain. >> rationing 37 years ago required biltding a water pipeline across the richmond san rafael bridge. that'll help retain, you know, the water. >> water-efficient landscaper henry today replanting this site lived through those days and says rationing now scares him. >> and now i'm afraid thoo people are going to stop calling and wanting any planting. they're going to postpone it unti

over the next 30 days, the distrist will pump water from phoenix lake to the bon tempe treatment plant on mount tam. due to record-low rainfall since january of last year, the water district's reservoir storage is well below average at 55 percent of capacity. average storage for this date is 77 percent of capacity. but the warm weather, and lack of rain.creating dangerous fire conditions. the national weather service has issued a red- flag fire warning for the north bay and east bay hills effective until 10 o'clock this morning officials say the fire danger there is very high. and fire crews are on high alert. for the time being.fire officials are asking residents in the oakland hills to postpone any yard work. which could create sparks.and start a grass fire. solano fire officials say, the fire on kimball island in the delta is still burning. they are allowing hotspots to burn out on their own. the fire started late tuesday afternoon -- reportedly by transients. at the end of the night. three homes and several other buildings were destroyed. more than 40- acres charred. this is video

. >> it's so dry, the marin municipal water district is pumping in water from phoenix lake. this is the first time that's happened in 20 years. >>> today east bay m.u.d. considered doing something it has never done before. the district is talking about tapping into its emergency supply in sacramento county. it won't get a final answer from the state until next month. the board does plan to discuss a voluntary rationing plan at its next meeting. that is scheduled for two weeks from today. >>> meanwhile, the san francisco public utilities commission is asking customers to voluntarily cut down on water usage by 10%. it serves more than 2.5 million customers in four bay area counties. a formal announcement is expected at the end of the week. in the south bay, the santa clara valley water district is examined to take up a water conservation proposal when it meets tonight. >>> and your eyes are not fooling you. this really is rainfall in northern california. showers moved into willits area this morning. there is even a new system moving south toward the bay area. paul deanno is tr

. >> reporter: some counties are one step ahead of the governor in marin pumping at phoenix lake, in mendocino county the drought declaration already dropped and governor brown appears appeared to play catch- up. >> not today but we're certainly getting ready. >> reporter: andria borba, kpix 5. >> the governor's announcement is planned at his office in san francisco at 9:00. >>> and some developing news down in southern california where a wildfire that started less than 24 hours ago has stopped spreading. cbs reporter teri okita says hundreds of people have had to leave their homes. >> reporter: high winds whipped the wildfire through the san gabriel mountains burning close to communities 30 miles east of los angeles. many residents could only watch in disbelief. >> started off with a couple of little embers. thought we were safe, really don't know right now. >> reporter: more than 700 firefighters are scrambling to put out hot spots through the 1700 acres of charred brush. the crews have stopped flames from advancing into populated neighborhoods for now. fire officials say they are

. >> from sky seven hd this, is phoenix lake in marin county.ncies but one is on their hands tonight. good evening, everyone, i'm yaro lynn johnson. >> for the first time in 20 years marin water district is tapping reserve water destroy because of phoeni with the story and leanne, it's proof lack of rain is getting serious. >> no rain in sight, some that have water from the lake starts to evaporate. >> takes electricity to pump water out of the lake. the pump is taking water up to hill to be used by rez devenlts the marin municipal water strict says customers won't pay extra. >> the reservoirs are below average. >> water level will drop by 20 feet. on an average year, it's at 77%. cam ran knows the area well. >>

over the next four weeks, the district will pump water from a phoenix lake to a treatment plant on mounte water district's reservoir level is well below average at 55% of capacity. >> solano fire officials say, but the fire on campbell island in the delta is still burning. they are allowing hot spots to burn out on their own pripet the fire started late tuesday afternoon reportedly by tra insients. at the end of the night, three homes and several buildings were destroyed. more than 40 a.. this is video from our helicopter partnership with abc 7 news. campbell island is just north of any act. no injuries were reported. >> the warm weather and the lack rain has created a dangerous fire conditions. the national weather service has issued a red flag warning for the north bay and east bay hills of effective until 8:00 a.m. this morning. officials say that the fire danger there is very high. for the time being, fire officials are asking residents in oakland hills to postpone any yard work which could create a sparked. >> we have a red flag warning in effect but the wind is not too bad. we coul

>> reporter: you know what's happening at phoenix lake will no douth have an impact on drinking water in different parts of marin county. you also come to terms with the fact water is pressure to many people. >> the water taken to be used by residents in southern and western marin county. >> it was rainy. but we haven't used it about 20 years >> storage is below average. average year it's at 77% >> normally you'd see moss. this would be green. it's not. >> i've gone through this decades ago. we need rain. >> two things people can do are to repair leaks and stop irrigation system. >> i'm thinking also wonder how those rain dances work? and if by april storage levels are low, water district may need to call for cut backs to water use. >> university of california is stepping up to help preserve the state's water fully the uc president proposed ten schools reduce consumption 20% by year 2020. and napolitano plans to take up the proposal at next week's region meeting in san francisco. >> now, southern california a raging wildfire destroying five structures and led to evacuatio evacuations.

. >> from sky seven hd this, is phoenix lake in marin county. for more than 20 years the water has been used only in emergencies but one is on their hands tonight. good evening, everyone, i'm yaro lynn johnson. >> for the first time in 20 years marin water district is tapping reserve water destroy because of phoenix we are live with the story and leanne, it's proof lack of rain is getting serious. >> no rain in sight, some that have water from the lake starts to evaporate. >> takes electricity to pump water out of the lake. the pump is taking water up to hill to be used by rez devenlts the marin municipal water strict says customers won't pay extra. >> the reservoirs are below average. >> water level will drop by 20 feet. on an average year, it's at 77%. cam ran knows the area well. >> i don't like to see things die. i don't like the fire hazard. >> these hike is led here and other parks in marin county. >> concerned about not having rain. very concerned. we're waiting for rain. praying and going to do a rain dance. >> two things people can do a

happening but for the first time over the next 30 days, the district will be pumping water uphill from phoenix lake, to the district's treatment lake and it wants to use the supplying now before it evaporates. we spoke to them and he worries they will prevent people from planting. >> we had a great year and now i am afraid people will postpone it until we get some rain. >> reporter: he said a lomein innocence guard -- low maintenance garden will cut the water in half. and they have tight restrictions and the restaurants are already cutting back and it will have to cut in to another reserve supply. live from marin county i am tara moriarty ktvu channel 2 morning news. >>> well this is a frightening incident and at south side, police are still looking for the naked man who walked into the girl's locker room on monday. he exposed himself after cheerleading practice and angry parents said there are two others and they are expected to go before the board tonight and they have more police patrols. >>> 0:68 -- 6:08 is the time over a battle over cell phone cell phone towers. this evening parents are worri

the marin municipal water district will drill water from phoenix lake. it is one of two reservoirs the county relies on during dry years, and this is certainly one of them. reservoir storage is now well below 55% of capacity, and depending on how much water is left in april, the district may call for mandatory cutbacks. we'll have more on this story coming up on abc 7 news at 11:00 over on channel 7. >>> meantime, the town of willits in mendocino county is down to a 100-day supply of water and could run out altogether. we traveled to willits to find out what they're doing to keep from going dry. >> reporter: it's just a trickle. the water now flowing into centennial reservoir a major source of water for the small town of willits. >> this looks very concerning to me. >> reporter: willits city leaders announced they have about 100 days of water left, a number that's holding steady thanks to a huge conservation effort by the city's 5,000 residents. >> the message has gotten out to the community and they've really stepped up their conservation. since our las

today the marin municipal water district will begin pumping water out of phoenix lake one much its tworve reservoirs. officials say it was done briefly two years ago during a dry spell but hasn't been used consistently as a water supply for about 20 years. some san rafael restaurants have decided to stop the automatic water service to help conreceive. >> our understanding it requires about seven glasses of water for every glass of water you serve in order to clean the glass ware plus the water you serve. >> if the water levels don't improve by april marin might impose rationing for the first time since 1991. for now officials are asking for voluntary conservation. >>> it's 6:35. ac transit has launched an investigation into an incident caught on tape showing a bus driver denying access to a disabled man. it happened in san leandro. the video was posted on youtube on friday. the bus driver tells the man there's no space noirm. the man protest, position himself in front of the bus. minutes later wheelchair lift is deployed. ac transit responded. for safety sake there are reasons why the

or of hikers at phoenix lake. >> oh, cool. >> an emergency reserve that the water officials will usetomorrow for the first time in 20 years. >> what we want to do is maximize the water that we have in our system now while we can do that. >> the water district told me levels today are 71% of normal, so low that without significant rainwater rationing including fines may be just 6 weeks away. >> i think it say good idea. i think we use too much water as it is. and we should ration it. >> they should impose it starting at the beginning of the year. obvious that we have not had enough rain. >> rationing 37 years old required building a pipeline across the bridge and restrictions. >> reporter: this landscaper today replanting this home's hillside lived through the days and rations now scares him. >> now i am afraid people will stop calling and stop planting and postpone it until we get rain. >> reporter: he is as this low maintenance garden is a good investment. cutting water use by half. >> i am thinking of a water collection system in my own backyard. >> reporter: conservation alone wil

or of hikers at phoenix lake. >> oh, cool. >> an emergency reserve that the water officials will use for the first time in 20 years. >> what we want to do is maximize the water that we have in our system now while we can do that. >> the water district told me levels today are 71% of normal, so low that without significant rainwater rationing including fines may be just 6 weeks away. >> i think it say good idea. i think we use too much water as it is. and we should ration it. >> they should impose it starting at the beginning of the year. obvious that we have not had enough rain. >> rationing 37 years old required building a pipeline across the bridge and restrictions. >> reporter: this landscaper today replanting this home's hillside lived through the days and rations now scares him. >> now i am afraid people will stop calling and stop planting and postpone it until we get rain. >> reporter: he is as this low maintenance garden is a good investment. cutting water use by half. >> i am thinking of a water collection system in my own backyard. >> reporter: conservation alone will not he

the marin municipal with your district will pump water out of phoenix lake.irs. it was done briefly two years ago during a dry spell but hasn't been used as a water supply 30 years. if water levels don't improve by april marin may impose rationing for the first time since 1991. right now they are asking for voluntary conservation. very dry. >> going to be that way for a very long time. climate prediction center happens to do most of the medium and long range forecasting. they say we have equal chances of moisture coming in at average levels the rest of winter. but just looking at the pattern at least the next two weeks i don't see any rain coming in. that means we have to make it up in february and march and that's the only hope we have. next 12 hours we're starting in the 30s. 60s along the coast this morning. all of us will be in the 60s. warm. nice day to sit outside and enjoy the sunshine and temperatures in the low to mid-60s. peak in the 70s during the afternoon hours and fall back into the you upper 60s at 4:00. we'll set some records by the time we ge

. >>> starting today the phoenix lake reserve reservoir will be tapped to supply water to customers in marin. it's in response to the ongoing drought. over the next 30 days, the marin municipal water district will pump millions of gallons of water 600 feet uphill to the bone temp reservoir. officials say 2030 was the driest year on record. >>> let's get right over to liz now for a look at traffic. liz. >> okay, thanks, guys. this morning, we are starting off with clear conditions for the most part around the bay area. i was actually trying to check right now to see if they cleared all the overnight roadwork. no accidents or stalls. there is some roadwork and it may be in the clearing stages right now between san leandro and oakland specifically 880 northbound and southbound we saw it between marina and davis. they had various lanes blocked and approaching downtown exits near oak and broadway. a lot of the major roadwork and lane changes across the golden gate bridge have wrapped up. so here is a live look. traffic is quiet across the golden gate bridge. they have four southbound lanes

the water district started draining phoenix lakes, one of it's reserves reservoirs. a few years ago it explored building a but some argued it would create its own waste. there is is not a kickstart to that plan. >> dasah is more long-range, but not for this drought. that's for the next drought. >> i think what is happening with the current drought it's something we definitely need to look at again. >> a plant to convert salt water could cost mills and take years to build. they are just trying to survive the immediate crisis. >> it's are a:04. we learned the name of a teenage bicyclist who was hit and killed by a light rail train yesterday. the 14-year-old danica garcia was rushed to the hospital but died from hurry injury. it was at stoke streight and southwest express way. 40 people were on the train but none of them were hurt. >>> a driver for the on demand car lift lyft struck a person yesterday afternoon. the driver stopped and is cooperating with police. >> we sometimes use the phrase too much but this people three people really are lucky to be alive after a pla

the water district started draining phoenix lake, one of it's reserves reservoirs. it explored the option of building a desanitation plant. that was on the san rafael bay to help with the water supply. but some argued it would create its own waste. >>nov gore's brown declaration has not kickstarted that plan. >> dasal is more long-range, but not for this drought. that's for the next drought. >> i think what is happening with the current drought it's something we definitely need to look at again. >> a plant to convert salt water could cost millions and take years to build. marin is just trying to survive the immediate crisis. in marin county, john alston, abc7 news. >> we learned the name of a teenage bicyclist who was hit and killed by a light rail train yesterday. 14-year-old danica tyler garcia was rushed to the hospital but died from her injury. it was at stoke street and southwest expressway. there were about 40 people were on the train, but none of them were hurt. >>> in san francisco, police say a driver for the on-demand car service, lyft, struck a person yes

the water district started draining phoenix lake, one of it's reserves reservoirs. few years ago it explored the option of building a desalination plant. that was on the san rafael bay to help with the water supply. but some argued it would create its own waste. >>gov. brown's declaration has now kickstarted that plan. >> desal is more long-range, but not for this drought. that's for the next drought. >> i think what is happening with the current drought it's something we definitely need to look at again. >> a plant to convert salt water could cost millions and take years to build. marin is just trying to survive the immediate crisis. in marin county, john alston, abc7 news. >> it's 8:04 now. >> we learned the name of a teenage bicyclist who was hit and killed by a light rail train yesterday. 14-year-old danica tyler garcia was rushed to the hospital but died from her injury. ski 7hd shows us where the accident happened at stoke street and southwest expressway. there were about 40 people were on the train, but none of them were hurt. >>> in san francisco, police say

. >>> also starting today, the phoenix lake reserve reservoir will be tapped to supply water to customers in marin county. it's in response to the ongoing drought over the next 30 days. the next month. marin municipal water district will pump millions of gallons of water 600 feet uphill to the bon tempe reservoir. officials say 2013 was the driest year on record. >>> some other stories around the bay now on this thursday. an oakland teenager charged with setting another teen on fire going back to court today. lawyers for 16-year-old richard thomas want the case moved to juvenile court. sasha fleischman was set on fire aboard an ac transit bus in oakland back on november 4. >>> the u.s. chemical safety board has rejected recommendations from its staff to overhaul the way refineries are regulated. the vote took place last night at the city council chambers in richmond. a 2012 refinery fire happened there. the staff has 4 months to modify the report. >>> fremont police are looking for two suspects in a home invasion robbery. the homeowner told police two men wearing ski masks came up to him

phoenix lake is a reserve reservoir. that means it is only used during dry years. and now it is being pumped. to send water to the central and southern parts of the county. because the marin municipal water district's supply is roughly 20 - percent lower than it should be this time of year. for now, the district is only asking customers to rationing could be in the forecast, if conditions and the district says, we need a lot of rain to avoid that scenario. a pump at a second back- up reservoir near novato. is being prepared. just in case those reserves need to be tapped as well. the university of california system is getting proactive when it comes to water conservation. u-c president janet napolitano announced the university's goal of reducing per capita water use by 20 percent across the u-c system by 2020. napolitano said the university's faculty, staff and students are stepping up to take on the challenge to preserve water. the 2020 goal complements the university's carbon neutrality initiative and other sustainability projects. the campaign will be discussed a

. >>> starting today, the phoenix lake reserve reservoir will be tapped to supply water to customerse reservoir. >>> stay with us. traffic and weather coming right up. we love this new extra crispy boneless. he's taller than i remember. ♪ ♪ bulldog: out with the old and in with the new! mattress discounters' year end clearance sale ends monday! puppy: what's this red tag mean? bulldog: through monday save up to 40% on clearance mattresses. puppy: oh, here's another. bulldog: that means up to $300 off serta, posturepedic even tempur-pedic. puppy: i found another red tag! bulldog: what! where? puppy: right here, silly. ha-ha-ha! bulldog: tickles! mattress discounters' year end clearance sale ends monday. ♪ mattress discounters ♪ >>> good morning. a traffic alert in san leandro is long since cleared. unfortunately, the delays are still there. it is really backed up on westbound 580 through the dublin grade and toward the castro valley y. all lanes are back open now northbound 238 right before the 880 interchange. also seeing slowdowns along the peninsula, eastbound 92 at delaware. the s

this is lake phoenix, about 65 million gal lons of water. let's check in rob mayeda. 1977, 1992, and now 2014, our water is simply running out. >> when you look at the impact statewide, 63% of california under extreme droupgt, and thin cluds all bay area counties now, looking atwater restrictions and a significant agricultural impact, as the reservoirs drop down to about 40% of where they should be this time of the year. perhaps the best signature of this drought, compare last year at this time, you can see the snow pack in the sierra. this suspect a geology map, this is the view of the snow pack as of this week, 2014, only the higher peaks in the sierra. as you look at nevada, that's mt. rose and there's hardly any snow there. it looks more like a desert there. so this is the scenario we're seeing now. we're looking at numbers as low as 8% of average for the northern sierra. some of the biggest snow building months, we're starting to see the levels close to 8%. we usually see that snow pack max out from february into march. so all this is p

drought concerns are forcing the county to get water out of phoenix lake.ioning could start in six weeks for some of the customers. >>> a teenaged boy is recovering from burns this morning after his clothing was accidentally set on fire last night. it happened as he was being dropped off at the concord b.a.r.t. station. he had gasoline on his clothing after working on a car earlier. the fire ignited when the person who dropped him off lit a cigarette. >>> and san jose police believe they have captured a serial arsonist who has been terrorizing a neighborhood. janine de la vega is joining us live at police headquarters and you just got some new information from some of the neighbors. a news conference will be held in about an hour where we expect to learn new details from police about the arrest. we just learned from a resident who lives near where the arsons occurred that a neighbor spotted a suspicious person who resembled the arsonist on 24th street last night and then called 911, and soon soon after that, an arrest was made. now people in the neighborhoo

reporter: the marin district started pumping water out of one of its two reserve water reservoirs, lake phoenix. it hopes it will be enough to sustain residents until the next major rainfall. overall, the reservoirs were at full capacity last year. this year they're at 55% of normal. the district says 2013 was the driest year on record, with measuring stations only accumulating 11 inches of rain. >> that is unprecedented. our prior low was 19 inches for annual rainfall. we normally get 52 inches. >> reporter: marin and sonoma have already launched their water on/off the campaigns. >> this is worse. >> reporter: george koch remembers the drought in the '70s. >> quit watering your garden and washing your car. >> reporter: he feels it will be even more severe this time around. >> pray for rain. do a rain dance. >> reporter: is that what you're going to be doing? >> yeah, right. >> reporter: now the last time the water district had to pump from one of its two reserve reservoirs was march 2012 but was ultimately saved by rain that did come. locals calling it miracle march. now they're hoping for tha

can new york city, for instance, learn from phoenix and salt lake city, to focus not just on veteranshomeless people? >> so let me ask you that, mayor. i love that there's a friendly competition between you and the mayor of phoenix. this is my favorite kind of municipal competition to be going on. but what would you say to a place as complicated, as, say, a new york or a philadelphia in how they might begin to address this problem? >> i think your panelist identified, really, the key. and that is, we -- what we have done with veterans is what we've been doing with our homeless population across the board. we have focused on the chronically homeless and getting them housed. and we've reduced, by 75% or more, the homeless population in salt lake city. by focusing first on providing those services. and it really takes everyone working together. and the federal government is a critical partner in providing resources in many ways. some of it financial, some of it expertise, some of it sharing ideas that come from other areas. and the private sector has been unbelievable. every organization

the mayor in phoenix and salt lake city made a challenge they were going to get every single chronically homeless vet on the street and both of them have done that. and that is just just one step toward ending veteran's homelessness completely. we are seeing that where you will make this a priority and focus on it and work to bring creative resources you can do remarkable things. and i will just say this: at a time when our trust deficit in government, particularly the federal government, is just as bad as our fiscal deficit, to be to say to an american we have our veterans/heroes off the street is a powerful way to say government works. and we can do stuff together between the federal and local level that makes a difference in people's lives. so i want to make sure we are working together and we are coming back to you asking you all to make commitments about what you can do to end veteran's homelessness and other forms particularly chronic homelessness. we want your partnership and you stepping up and doing more on this. i think it is also important that we recognize and this comes agai

phoenix. vegas, a little cooler there, 58. little chilly salt lake city. rest of the nation, some of the warmest weather found in southern cal. that's your >> san diego looking all right. >> that looks like a vacation right now. >> beach weather. >> exactly. i want to live in san diego. >> that's a heat wave is what that is. all right. thank you, bill. straight ahead, the answer to just what this crop circle is all about. >>> plus, dennis rodman arrives in north korea today where the former nba star is to play for kim jong-un's birthday. we have those details next. r. >>> welcome back, everybody. iraqi troops are battling for two key cities overrun by al qaeda militants in anwar province, fallujah and ramadi. at least 34 people were killed sunday. secretary of state john kerry said the u.s. will help iraq with the offensive, but made it clear that no u.s. troops will be sent in. >>> german chancellor angela americaler cracked her pelvis during a skiing accident in the swiss alps. her spokesman says the fracture will require her to rest for three weeks and

look at the warmth and mild air, tucson, 76 today, phoenix, 78, salt lake city right there at 41 forsee some milder nights after we saw the pictures of frost, they've been everywhere on twitter and facebook. but look what's happening. new orleans, by the time you start next week, your early morning temperature, 50, so looking at jacksonville, you're doing the same thing, and across the nation we want to leave you with a look, dallas, 58. can i tell you >> and a very special request to say good morning to -- >> foxy roxy. >> foxy roxy is in atlanta, lara. >>> what's coming up on your "gma morning menu," "pop news" still ahead. we'll tell you about hugh jackman's big role. >>> an exclusive first look at american eagle's upcoming line. why they're using real teenage girls in their new ad campaign. >>> and then, josh, say it for me. >> improve this. >> improve that. so excited. sabrina soto is here. major cost-cutting, awesome design tips for you coming up on "good morning america" live in times square. did we mention it's friday? ♪ >>> "gma's morning menu" is brought to you by new, fast

i want to call mayor stanton in phoenix, mayor becker in salt lake city. they may a challenge to get every single chronically homeless vet off the streets and both of them have done that. that is one step toward ending veterans homelessness completely. we are seeing where you make this a priority and focus on it and work with us to bring creative resources, you can do remarkable things. at a time when our trust deficit in government is just as bad as our fiscal deficit, to be able to say to an american that we have gotten our heroes off the streets is a very powerful way to say government works and we can do stuff together that really makes a difference in peoples lives. i want to make sure we are working together. we will be coming back to you ask you to make commitments about what you can do to end veterans homelessness and other forms of homelessness where we have a focus and so stay tuned. we want you to step up and do more on this. i think it is important we recognize, and this comes from my work at the local level, that so often what you see in a fed

phoenix to la. both cities tied 69 degrees. the wind chill map shows coldest air over minneapolis, great lake, northeast. we're mild everywhere pretty much rockies westwards. temperatures continue to be warm with pacific air. a lot of quick moving fronts moving through the west. brief periods of rain and windy conditions. thisle afternoon is one of those as a weak system comes through. that's the cold front off the coast. doesn't look like this will make it southward. there will be snow in the cascades, maybe as much as a foot over the next 24 hours. it will be spread out. winter weather advisories are issued. that know is mostly over 3,000. forecasted city, on and have the umbrella handy in seattle through the weekend. >>> so the historic arctic outbreak leaves some arguing the drought situation in california is by far the bigger story. it doesn't get as much attention. >> when we warm up, we'll be dealing with drought. >> we're going to be. >> thank you bill. >>> it's so cold out there an escaped prisoner surrenders to police to get warm again. >>> plus solar flares directed at earth. >>> and a shortag