|
California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection
San Andreas- "The Darby Fire " which has consumed 14,280 acres, was declared 100% contained as of 6 PM. Sunday, September 16, 2001, however a significant threat still exists to the surrounding unburned areas due to the steep inaccessible terrain. Crews will continue to work on the North side of the Middle Fork drainage until the fire is fully controlled. Full control is expected Friday, September 21, 2001 at 6:00 PM. Incident Commander Tim Sappok said, "This was one of the most challenging fires the team has ever been assigned to". Demobilization continues with the total number of personnel assigned expected to be down to 2200 by this evening. There have been 35 injuries and one travel trailer was destroyed. The suppression cost to date is $18,363,448. The CDF Emergency Watershed Protection and the USFS Bum Area Emergency Rehabilitation teams have begun to review both suppression impacts, such as the fire lines constructed by hand crews and dozers and fire impacts to determine the extent of repair and rehabilitation that will be needed. Big Trees State Park will remain closed to the public through September 21, 2001, subject to further closure if needed. CDF is using the area for staging equipment and personnel. Safety of public and firefighters remains the number on priority. Love Creek Road will remain restricted to residents only through Monday September 17, 2001. Residents must be prepared to show identification. For information regarding road restrictions or closures, call CHP San Andreas Office from 8:00 AM until 5:00 PM at 754-3541 or at their Stockton Dispatch center after 5:00 PM at 943-8600. A CDF Fire Information Center
is open and can be called between the hours of 6:00 a.m. through
10:00 p.m. 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.
|
