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Bike Trail, Events, Rafting, Water

Eppie’s Great Race draws more than 2,000 competitors to American River Parkway

More than 2,000 people sprinted, pedaled and rowed in Eppie’s Great Race today, with veteran Vic Vicari, fresh face Diana Hellman and a group named “Vitek Vikings” seizing the honors of Ironman, Ironwoman and the team champion.

“The World’s Oldest Triathlon” consists of a 5.82-mile run and a 12.5-mile bike ride along the American River Parkway trail, and a 6.35-mile paddle on the river. Since its origin in 1974, organizers have presented about $970,000 to the race’s primary beneficiary, Sacramento County Therapeutic Recreation Services.

More at SacBee.com >>>
Events, Rafting, safety, Water

Expansion of American River alcohol ban considered

Sacramento officials are mulling whether to expand a holiday ban on alcohol on the American River after a recent event was marred by violence and arrests.

The Sacrament Bee reported ( http://bit.ly/OE7CPc) that the county Board of Supervisors would discuss extending the ban after last weekend’s “Rafters Gone Wild,” an event that drew more than 3,000 revelers to the river.

Authorities said rocks and bottles were thrown at officers and paramedics during Saturday’s event, as they tried to break up brawls and provide aid.

More ate MercuryNews.com >>>

Events, Fish, Salmon, Water, Wildlife

Salmon fishing season opens Central California rivers

Recreational salmon fishing has begun on Central California rivers in what officials call the first normal season since the fall-run Chinook salmon crash five years ago.
The river fishing season was closed in 2008 and 2009.

State Fish and Game fisheries spokesman Stafford Lehr says fishing should be good on the Sacramento, Feather, American and Mokelumne rivers.

More at SacBee.com >>>

Events, Rafting, safety, Water

Drunken brawls erupt on sunny American River raft route

Even the most serene setting can turn ugly, given enough time and alcohol.

That truism was proved Saturday on the American River during the second annual Rafters Gone Wild. Luring more than 3,000 people onto the water for a peaceful float, the event eventually degenerated into a series of brawls and rock-throwing incidents.

For much of the day, law enforcement and fire rescue officials busied themselves keeping watch over rafters having trouble with rapids or falling out of their boats.

By 5 p.m., however, dozens were fighting on the shores of Ancil Hoffman Park, beating each other with paddles or rocks and hurling stones at fire and rescue boats, officials said.

“It started out fairly reasonable, but as they day went on, the drunkenness and the fights increased with them,” said Sgt. Randy Lewis, a Sacramento County park ranger. He added that law enforcement officials were dealing with fights constantly after 5 p.m.

More at SacBee.com >>>

Events, Rafting, safety, Water

Authorities out in force as Rafters Gone Wild gets under way

More than 1,000 rafters have taken to the American River in today’s second annual Rafters Gone Wild event publicized through Facebook and other social media that’s expected to draw as many as 3,000 revelers to the Sacramento waterway.

Law enforcement and rescue personnel are out in force, with as many as 50 to 60 officers patrolling the waters, authorities said.

Scott Cockrum, deputy chief of the Sacramento Metropolitan Fire Department, said there has been one call for rescue so far with a person struggling in the San Juan rapids without a life jacket. While the rafting events initial hours have been calm, Cockrum said it could take hours before authorities start to see problems on the river.

More at SacBee.com >>>

Events, Rafting, safety

Rafters Gone Wild return to party Saturday on American River

A perfect storm of high summer temperatures, a fast moving river and thousands of rafters – some partying with alcohol – Saturday on the American River  has garnered the full attention of law enforcementagencies and rescue organizations.

More than 3,000 rafters are expected to participate in this year’s Rafters Gone Wild event on the American River between Sunrise Boulevard and River Bend Park. This is the second year the event – whose popularity has evolved briskly via Facebook – is taking place.

Last year, roughly 3,500 people flocked to the river, with law enforcement agencies making 12 arrests and providing aid to nearly 100 people.

“The weather is going to be in the high 90s, and that makes people want to get out on the water and drink,” said Jason Ramos, spokesman for the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Department. “From our standpoint, we have to be prepared.”

The event, which will begin at 11 a.m., is described on Facebook as a day of summer rafting fun for those 21 or older, and will include mud wrestling, cliff jumping, music, homemade grain alcohol and a fruit brew called jungle juice. A river cleanup is slated for Sunday.

It is the alcohol factor that most troubles law enforcement. “We know beyond a shadow of a doubt that we will have problems that come along with alcohol,” said Ramos.

Six law enforcementand rescue agencies will monitor the event.

More at SacBee.com >>>
Fire, safety, Water, Wildlife

Progress in fighting Robbers fire

Firefighters will spend the day trying to fully contain a sprawling Placer County wildfire that has displaced almost 300 people since Wednesday.

About 1,400 firefighters are battling the Robbers Fire, which began at 3:30 p.m. Wednesday in Shirttail Canyon between Colfax and Foresthill, about 40 miles northeast of Auburn. The fire has burned 1,157 acres and is 10 percent contained.

Firefighters scored a win late Thursday when they stopped the blaze from moving into a steep canyon that would have funneled the flames north toward the small community of Colfax, said Cal Fire spokesman Brice Bennett. Firefighters will spend Friday shoring up their defenses at the canyon’s mouth, he said.

More at SFGate.com >>>

Events, Rafting, safety

Regional Parks, Safety Crews Warn of Upcoming ‘Rafting Gone Wild’ Event Dangers

On Saturday, July July 14 thousands of rafters and revelers are expected to take the American River in what has become known as “Rafting Gone Wild,” an event promoted through Facebook.

The event has attracted more than 16,000 invites on the Facebook event page with more than 4,300 people apparently planning to go. The total number of invites marks an increase of more than 4,000 people over last year’s event and local law enforcement and rescue crews haven’t lost sight of the inherent dangers now more prevalent than ever.

Because of the enormity of the event, public safety agencies from across Sacramento Couty are joining forces to enforce any applicable laws.

More at Patch.com >>>

Fire, safety, Water, Wildlife

Fire near Foresthill spurs evacuation order

Residents of homes scattered throughout a rugged area of Placer County northwest of Foresthill were evacuated Wednesday afternoon as a fire that started near the north fork of the American River burned up the side of the canyon.

The fire was reported to be 20 percent contained – at 200 acres – shortly before 10 p.m.

The fire, which began about 3:20 p.m., was on the east, or Foresthill side, of the river. As of early evening, it was moving toward Iowa Hill.

More at SacBee.com >>>