Category Archives: Wildlife

Fire grows to 5,044 acres in El Dorado, Placer counties

July 3, 2016 admin Leave a comment

The wildfire in El Dorado and Placer counties has now burned 5,044 acres and 20 percent contained, according to Cal Fire officials Sunday.

About 2,600 structures are threatened by the fire but none were reported damaged or destroyed by the fire so far, officials said.

Fire crews continue to monitor fire lines, hoping to slow down the so-called Trailhead Fire, especially near the Volcanoville area.

The containment lines held overnight in Placer County, where fire crews patrolling and monitoring fire lines, officials said. Residents in Todd Valley remain under voluntary evacuation.

Placer County mandatory evacuations have been downgraded to voluntary: Only residents with photo ID will be allowed beyond the staffed roadblocks. All homes east of Green Ridge Road to Oakwood Lane to Nugget Drive, Skyview Terrace Mobile Home Park, Oak Wood Court, Vinewood Court, Trail Head Court, Green Pine Court, Alton Trail Court, Gray Court, Tevis Court and White Tail Court and homes to the west of the above.

As for road closures in Placer County, Nugget Drive and Oakwood Lane are restricted to residents only, officials said.

The favorable temperatures overnight helped fire crews maintain containment lines on the El Dorado County side of the Trailhead Fire, Cal Fire said.

Crews have completed the line from west of Jakeys Hill, west to Buckeye Point and eventually to the American River, officials said. Several spot fires occurred Saturday night but firefighters were able to stop them and hold the fire at the river. Crews will continue to monitor Sunday.

In the Volcanoville area, fire crews are continuing to strengthen the fire lines west of the community in areas around Volcanoville, Kentucky Flat and Bottle Hill, officials said. There is still a mandatory evacuation order in effect for those areas.

The only campground directly affected by the fire is Dru Barner in the Georgetown Ranger District, which is within the fire closure area, Cal Fire said. No roads or campgrounds are closed in the Tahoe National Forest due to this fire.

Access to the middle fork of the American River from the Oxbow Reservoir put-in and Ruck-A-Chucky take-out is temporarily closed, officials said.

More at KCRA.com >>>

Fire, Fish, Rafting, safety, Wildlife

River access closed off due to Trailhead Fire

July 2, 2016 admin Leave a comment

Access to the Middle Fork of the American River From Oxbow Reservoir put in to Ruck-A-Chucky take out was closed Friday to protect firefighter and public safety, due to the continued growth of the Trailhead Fire.

The fire near Foresthill, in Placer and El Dorado counties, was up to 2,151 acres with 12 percent containment being reported Friday.

As of 7 a.m. Friday, no structures had been damaged or destroyed; all evacuations were still in effect.

Nearly 2,000 firefighting personnel were battling the Trailhead Fire along the Middle Fork of the American River.

At 5:30 p.m., a spokesperson from CalFire said there had been a shift on the eastern side of the fire, with a run up Jakey’s Hill that was getting close to Volcanoville.

Several dozer lines had been constructed and it was hoped that early diurnal winds down the hillside would keep the fire from reaching the Volcanoville area.

Firefighters did use some firing on the southern side of the fire to try and burn out fuels, and have been holding the fire to the north at the Placer County Line.

Crews were able to complete and strengthen lines overnight to prevent fire spread up Peachstone Gulch, and contingency lines are in place to protect the community of Todd Valley.

More at TheUnion.com >>>

Fire, safety, Wildlife

Trailhead Fire burning west of Lake Tahoe grows to 1,264 acres

June 30, 2016 admin Leave a comment

Nearly 2,000 firefighting personnel are battling the Trailhead Fire that continues to scorch hundreds of acres of land west of Lake Tahoe.

According to Califre, the blaze that’s burning in the community of Foresthill in Placer and El Dorado counties has grown to 1,264 acres as of 7 a.m. Thursday, and is now 12% contained.

It’s currently burning along the Middle Fork of the American River near Todd Valley. An estimated 2,600 structures were threatened by the blaze, and smoke from it began to filter over Donner Summit and into the Truckee area Wednesday afternoon.

Foresthill is roughly an hour and a half drive from Truckee; as the crow flies, it’s roughly an hour west of Lake Tahoe.

The Tahoe region is not in any danger from the fire.

More at TahoeDailyTribune.com >>>

Fire, safety, Water, Wildlife

Evacuations ordered in Todd Valley as fire rages in American River Canyon

June 29, 2016 admin Leave a comment

The Trailhead Fire was at 300 acres as of 9:30 p.m. Tuesday, CalFire said. The blaze began at 2 p.m. off Drivers Flat near Todd Valley.

Fire retardant lines are keeping the Trailhead Fire boxed in, though with little containment of its 250 acres in El Dorado County and 50 acres in Placer County. Mandatory evacuations continue given the steep and inaccessible terrain to firefighters.

CalFire has entered into a unified command on the fire with Eldorado National Forest with assistance from Placer County Incident Management Team.

There were 250 personnel, 48 fire engines, five crews, six dozers and three watertenders among the resources responding according to CalFire, not including the air tankers and other craft that flew overhead.

More at AuburnJournal.com >>>

Bike Trail, Boating, Rafting, safety, Water, Wildlife

Aerial spraying to control West Nile Virus scheduled

June 21, 2016 admin Leave a comment

The Sacramento-Yolo Mosquito and Vector Control District announced today that aerial treatment for mosquitoes that carry the potentially fatal West Nile virus is scheduled for north of the American River (Arden-Arcade and Carmichael) on Wednesday, June 22, and Thursday, June 23, from approximately 8 pm to midnight. Vector Control reports the spraying is necessary to reduce the risk of human infection and protect public health.

Bike Trail, Boating, Rafting, safety, Water, Wildlife

West Nile Virus cases spike in Sacramento County

June 20, 2016 admin Leave a comment

Sacramento County is reporting an abnormally early and strong start to West Nile Virus cases, with numbers that are second highest in the state.

According to the California Department of Public Health West Nile Virus website, Sacramento County has 47 cases in which the virus was found in dead birds and 16 cases where it was found in mosquito samples.

In comparison, at this time last year, there was one case, total.

“We have one of the largest surveillance programs in the state, so obviously the more mosquitos you trap, the more that you collect, the more you test, and the more activity you are going to find,” said Luz Maria Robles, with Sacramento-Yolo Mosquito and Vector Control. “We have about 23 species of mosquitos within our two counties, and out of 23 only two are capable of transmitting West Nile Virus.”

Robles said the increased rain, combined with heat, is the perfect breeding ground for the virus-carrying mosquitos.

“Heat accelerates a mosquito’s life cycle so that means they more quickly go from an egg to an adult mosquito,” Robles said. “So this year it’s like we got a little bit of a head start, or we started the season off with a bang, because we did have rain followed by that warm weather.”

The hardest hit areas of West Nile Virus are north of the American River from Arden-Arcade through Carmichael. Robles credits residents as being an important tool by reporting dead birds.

More at KCRA.com >>>

Boating, safety, Water, Wildlife

Beat the heat: Kayaking on Lake Natoma

June 8, 2016 admin Leave a comment

Kathy Lynn, of El Dorado Hills, went kayaking for the first time and wasn’t sure of what she was about to experience.

“Kayaking was always something I wanted to do,” she said. “I live so close to the facility and I thought it would be relaxing and fun. The only thing I was concerned about was getting into the kayak without it tipping over.”

Lynn is excited to do it again because she had a very enjoyable experience, she said.

“It was very relaxing and there weren’t a lot of people out on the lake the day I went,” Lynn said. “I am so happy I finally had the chance to get out there and do it!”

If you are looking for a relaxing day on the lake, but don’t have a boat, kayaking might be perfect for you.

At the reasonable price of $11 for non-Sacramento State University students and $8 for students, smoothly paddling through the water is a perfect weekend activity.

First when arriving at the Sacramento State Aquatic Center, you check in at the front counter and rent the kayak, said Brian Dulgar, the director the facility. Next, you fit yourself with a properly sized life jacket. Sizes range from toddler all the way to XXL, he said. The, you grab a paddle, get in your kayak by the water and paddle away for as long as you want.

“Kayaking is for everyone,” Dulgar said. “I have two daughters and they grew up here. They were exposed to water starting at 18 months old. We encourage all ages to try it and have the ability to become comfortable around and in the water.”

A nice thing about kayaking is that on a day with a nice temperature it can be an escape from life and an relaxing experience, he said.

More at FolsomTelegraph.com >>>

Bike Trail, Boating, Fish, Wildlife

Bald Eagles Spotted in Sacramento County

May 26, 2016 admin

A couple of bald eagles have been seen recently near Lake Natoma, just about 20 miles east of Sacramento off Highway 50.

During a visit to the lake on Wednesday, FOX40 spoke with several people who reported recent bald eagle sightings.

“I was shocked that we even have them here,” remarked Mary Ann Williams, who captured iPhone images of the birds perched high up in a tree while she was hiking with a friend a few weeks ago.

“I don’t know why, but I looked up, and I couldn’t believe my eyes,” Williams said.

Wildlife experts say bald eagles are thriving due to conservation efforts.

“For the last 40 years or so, every wildlife agency has worked to bring them back,” explained Andrew Hughan of the California Department of Fish and Wildlife.

Lake Natoma, surrounded by high dense trees, is a suitable habitat.

More at Fox40.com >>>

Bike Trail, Boating, Events, History, Rafting, safety, Water, Wildlife

California’s outdoor writers flock to Auburn, Placer County

May 25, 2016 admin

They came. They saw. They were conquered – by Placer County’s outdoor attractions.

That was the consensus of local tourism industry spokespeople after 58 writers and photographers with the Outdoor Writers Association of California were treated to a variety of opportunities to explore and learn about Placer County’s outdoor amenities as part of the group’s conference Sunday and Monday in Auburn.

Bob Semerau, association president emeritus, had praise Tuesday for organizers and Auburn attractions.

“Experiencing the broad spectrum of outdoor adventure opportunities to be found in Placer County has given the membership a real appreciation for this lovely part of California,” Semerau said. “Fly fishing the middle fork of the American River with Grady Garlough of Rise Up River Trips highlighted the pristine and wild natural beauty to be found throughout the region. And the fishing was awesome.”

Mora Rowe, Placer County Visitors Bureau executive director, said Tuesday that many facets of the county’s outdoor tourism-based industry were presented to the organization in tours and recreational opportunities.

They included bass fishing on Folsom Lake, a tour of ancient geology and watersheds in the Foresthill area and target practice at the Auburn Trap Shooting Club. At the Auburn Quarry near Cool, experienced rock climbers were offered the opportunity to climb a cliff.

More at AuburnJournal.com >>>

Bike Trail, Boating, Fish, Rafting, safety, Water, Wildlife