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 8, 2001

TIME: 2100 hours

The Darby Fire Update

The CDF Information phone lines will be staffed from 6:00 AM until midnight.
754-2739, 754-4692, and 754-5773
     San Andreas - The Darby Fire continues to burn in the steep terrain of the Stanislaus River canyon, moving to the east along the North and Middle Forks of the Stanislaus River into the Mill Creek and Griswald Creek drainages and away from the residential communities. The threat to the residential areas has been drastically reduced. The fire has consumed 3,756 acres, most of which is in the Stanislaus National Forest, and is still considered 45% contained.

     CDF crews continued to work on building and improving the fire break lines in preparation for the potential backfiring operation. Weather and fire behavior allowed progress on the direct attack. With a couple of days of favorable weather anticipated, the emphasis is going back to the direct attack. Tomorrow's plan includes aggressive action using heavy helicopters to drop retardant directly on the fire's edge.

     Love Creek Road remains as restricted access. 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.

     For the duration of the fire persons with asthma or other respiratory disease, the elderly and small children should avoid going outdoors and should remain inside in an air conditioned environment. All persons should avoid outdoor exercise and strenuous activities.

     Evacuated residents were allowed to return home at 8:00 P.M. Friday evening. 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.

     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.

     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.