California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection
Amador-El Dorado Unit

CONTACT: Teri Mizuhara, Fire Prevention Specialist II, 530.708.2724
RELEASE DATE: December 5, 2011

El Dorado Complex

CAMINO - "All the fires that began on Wednesday's "wind event" have been contained and controlled but CAL FIRE is closely watching the severe wind storm predicted for Tuesday. We have prepositioned additional CAL FIRE equipment (ten fire engines and four Type 1 Handcrews from across the state) in strategic locations in the event the winds do cause fires." says Incident Commander Brian Estes of the Amador-El Dorado Unit of CAL FIRE. "We did what we do best, taking aggressive action to lessen the damage to life and property. We are very proud of the work everyone did, especially in the early hours of the incident, working side by side with local fire agencies" add Chief Estes.

"Additionally, we want to warn everyone that these burned areas pose a very serious hazard because fire and wind weakened trees can snap out and fall to the ground with little or no warning. On Wednesday a 35 year old man was killed instantly in Big Sur when a tree fell on top of him. Stump holes (stumps that have been burning underground) can pose another very real danger in an area that has been burned because the surface of the stump can be covered with dirt or ash. These stump holes can have temperatures are in excess of 700°F and can cause third degree burns almost immediately" warns Chief Estes.

Local fire activity:
Sciaroni Fire is located in Grizzly Flats and is 61 acres and 100% contained
Groovy Fire is located off Highway 50 near Plum Creek Road is currently 46 acres and 100% contained.
Onyx/Creek Fires in the Pollock Pines area are 13 acres and 100% contained.
The Kirk Fire at Stinson Road in the Omo Ranch area is 5 acres and 100% contained.
The Omo Fire near Slug Gulch is 3 acres and 100% contained.
The Grizzly Fire at Sweeney Road is 1 acre and 100% contained.
The Eagle Fire off Grizzly Flat Road is 1 acre and 100% contained.
The Meadow Fire in the Pollock Pines area is 1 acre and 100% contained.
The Winward Fire in the Diamond Springs area is 1 acre and 100% contained.

Residents need to be aware that they may smell or see smoke over the next several weeks due to smoldering vegetation within fire control lines, this is normal and should not be a cause for alarm.

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