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California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection
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. San Andreas - Evacuated residents were allowed to return home at 8:00 P.M. Friday evening. Evacuations were lifted because the imminent danger to the residences no longer exists. The fire is moving down into the canyon and away from the residential areas. CDF will continue to monitor the fire and place engines in subdivisions that were evacuated until the fire is 100% contained. The Sheriff's Department will continue to have security patrol in the subdivisions that were evacuated. Safety remains a major concern for residents and fire personnel. Residents should drive slowly and with caution due to the continued presence of heavy firefighting equipment. Residents should limit their travel in and out of the restricted areas as firefighters continue to complete containment lines. The Darby Fire, which started ½ mile east of the Stanislaus powerhouse 100' from the river's edge, has consumed 2,600 acres and is 45% contained. The fire is continuing to move to the east along the North and Middle Forks of the Stanislaus River. Today, CDF will concentrate on preparing for a backfiring operation, using fire to fight fire, to obtain containment. As the fire includes land within the Stanislaus National Forest, CDF and the US Forest Service have united to accomplish containment. The fire crews have completed a fire break running north-easterly along the rim of the Stanislaus canyon and to the east of Love Creek Road, up towards McKay's Point. This fire break will be used for the backfiring operation, firing from the rim south, with the Stanislaus River providing the fire break on the south side. The east fire line is currently in inaccessible terrain, causing the fire break to be constructed well in advance of the fire line. The safest, most efficient way to deal with safety to the fire fighters and the public is to construct the east line from just south of McKay's point going in a southeasterly direction to the Middle Fork of the Stanislaus River. Dozers will be used in the Love Creek area for preparation of structure protection and construction of the east fire break line. The US Forest Service today will issue a Forest Order for temporary closure of roads to allow the equipment and fire fighters to complete the preparation. Love Creek Road at Moran Road will be restricted to residents and property owners only. Residents and property owners should be prepared to show proper identification to be allowed in. USFS Road 5N35 and 5N35A, to McKay's Point, will be closed. No access will be allowed past this point. This operation will continue for the next several days, with the backfiring anticipated to begin either Sunday or Monday. The backfiring operation will cause a significant increase in size of the area burned. The resources are available to enable this operation. As of this morning there are 361 engines with 1,153 fire fighters, 76 hand crews with 1,406 crew members, and 4 California Conservation Corps teams on this fire. In addition, there are 33 bulldozers, 22 water tenders, 8 air tankers, 3 air attacks, 9 helicopters and 303 support staff. A large number of fire fighting equipment will remain in the area and be stationed for structure protection in necessary areas for the backfiring operation. One hundred and fifty engines and 30 strike team leaders will be demobilized today. There have been 2 minor injuries, a sprained ankle and a sprained knee, and one moderate injury, a leg laceration. No structures have been destroyed. Residents of the City of Angels, Six-Mile Village, Carson Hill, Vallecito, Douglas Flat, and Murphys are reminded to continue to conserve the water supply for essential domestic use only. These measures are necessary to extend the life of the water supply. Environmental health officials advise residents upon returning home to determine whether the residence experienced a power failure. If there was a loss of power, food and the water supply may be contaminated. An information guide is available to assist residents. Call Environmental Health at 754-6553. If residents have lost pets or find stray animals, contact Animal Control during normal business hours (Monday-Saturday) 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.
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