CDF NEWS RELEASE
California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection

TUOLUMNE-CALAVERAS UNIT

CONTACT: Sharon Torrence, CDF Information Officer Mary Pitto, County Public Information Officer (209) 754-2739 and (209) 754-6303

RELEASE DATE: Sept 7, 2001 TIME: 1330 hours

     San Andreas-The Darby Fire, which started ½ mile east of the Stanislaus powerhouse 100' from the river's edge, has now consumed approximately 2,228 acres and is 40% contained. There are now 1,844 fire personnel. Most of the new strike teams that were ordered yesterday have arrived and have been deployed to the Arnold area. There have been 2 minor injuries, and no structures have been lost.

     CDF is looking for anyone with information about a maroon color newer model Toyota pickup with a matching camper shell. The pickup was seen in the Camp 9 area near the Collierville power house about the time the fire started and is considered as a potential witness. If you have any information, you may contact the fire investigator at 532-0821.

     The fire has destroyed a portion of the flume that provides water to the City of Angels, Six-Mile Village, Carson Hill, Vallecito, Douglas Flat, and Murphys. It is estimated that the City and other communities have only a minimum supply of water in storage unless extreme conservation measures are used. Those affected are encouraged to conserve water supply for essential domestic use only. These measures are necessary to extend the life of the water supply. Residents are to limit all water use to a minimum, i.e. no landscape watering, no irrigation usage, limited showering, and limited flushing of toilets.

     It is expected that the permanent reconstruction will take 90 to 120 days due to the inaccessibility of the location. A committee of various agencies has been meeting to put together a short term and long-range plan for providing water to these communities. This committee is still exploring alternative measures to provide continuous water service to the areas.

     There were no new evacuations last night or this morning. The Sheriff's Department issued mandatory evacuations of approximately 397 homes in the Sunrise Point and Canyon View Subdivisions up to and including the south side of Highway 4 into Avery, the Indian Hills Subdivision and the Forest Meadows Subdivision on Sandalwood, Vine Maple Drive, Oak Wood Drive, Laurel Ridge Court, Laura Lane, Laurel Court, and Heather Drive. People who live in the immediate surrounding area should be prepared to evacuate.

     There is an evacuation center at the Albert Michelson Elementary School off Highway 4 on Pennsylvania Gulch Road in Murphys. The American Red Cross is staffing this facility and the Salvation Army will be preparing and providing meals. If you are trying to find friends or relatives at the center, call the school's main line at 728-3441 or the local Red Cross at 533-1513.

     If you need assistance with animal transport, call Animal Control at 754-6509.
For information regarding road restrictions or closures, call the CHP San Andreas Office from 8:00 AM until 5:00 PM at 754-3541 and at their Stockton Dispatch center after 5:00 PM at 943-8600.

     Calaveras County Office of Emergency Services and CDF will continue to monitor the situation and provide updated information, as it becomes available. Local residents are encouraged to monitor their local news sources for any change in conditions. A CDF Fire Information Center is open and can be called at 754-2739, 754-4692, and 754-5773.
Other information may be found at the CDF Website at www.fire.ca.gov and the County's Website at www.co.calaveras.ca.us.