MEDIA RELEASE

Contact: Tracy Gouette, PIO Incident Command Team 7	805-896-6337
Sharon Torrence, Public Information Officer	209-754-5527
Tom Mitchell, County Public Information Officer	209-754-6303

Release Date: August 7, 2004	Release Time: 1:30 p.m.
	Release Number: 1

The Calaveras Complex started on Friday August 6, 2004 and consists of three separate fires all located within Calaveras County. The Armstrong Fire started at approximately 2:00 p.m., has burned 85 acres and is 10% contained. The Mineral Fire also started at approximately 2:00 p.m., has burned 1,000 acres and is 10% contained. The Copper Fire, started at approximately 4:30 p.m., has consumed 2,500 acres and is 10% contained. The cause of all three fires is still under investigation.

Due to the prediction of higher temperatures and lower humidities in the next several days, and the increased potential for high fire activity, sixty (60) Structural Protection Engines are currently being deployed along the Highway 4 corridor between Forest Meadows and Avery as a precautionary measure. Assigned personnel are there to assist and advise local residents.

One minor injury to a firefighter has been reported. The fire destroyed one mobile home and one wooden structure.

Allowing evacuated residents to return to their homes is a high priority, but will only be done when the California Department of Forestry determines it is safe to do so. They are reviewing the situation every six (6) hours.