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 10, 2001

TIME: 1630 hours

The Darby Fire Update

Craig Mattson, State Park Superintendent Calaveras District, has announced that due to the smoke and the amount of heavy equipment going through the park Calaveras Big Trees State Park is temporarily closed at the North Grove. Walter Smith Parkway Gate, Stanislaus River, Beaver Creek, South Grove area, and Oak Hollow are closed to all public entry. The North Grove Campground and the North Grove Trail will remain open. For further information call Big Trees State Park at (209) 795-2334

     San Andreas - The Darby Fire continues to burn within the outside perimeter fire line boundaries. While much of the fire activity has been in Tuolumne County, there has been increased activity this afternoon in the Cone Hill, Doud's Landing, and Candy Rock area in Calaveras County. The Sheriff's Department has issued mandatory evacuations on Love Creek Road and the Doud's Landing area. While no structures have been destroyed, approximately 15-20 homes are now threatened.

     Calaveras Works and Human Services will reopen an evacuation center at the Albert Michelson Elementary School off Highway 4 on Pennsylvania Gulch Road in Murphys.

     People who live in the immediate surrounding area should be prepared to evacuate. Have valuable papers, such as deeds, mortgage papers, insurance documents, birth certificates, and photographs packed and in the car. Bring your medications, any special equipment needed for several days, and the name of your physucian.

     If you need assistance with animal transport, call Animal Control at 754-6509. For information regarding the road restrictions, 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.

     Love Creek Road at Moran Road is closed. 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.