A man who died after getting tangled amid submerged trees in the American River at River Bend Park was identified by the Sacramento County Coroner’s Office on Sunday as Josh Ray Rasmussen, 32, of Fair Oaks.
At 4:41 p.m. Saturday, the Sacramento Metropolitan Fire District received a report that a man had jumped from a raft into the river and had not surfaced.
A fire boat crew found the man, who had been been tangled in the trees, officials reported.
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A man, rafting on the American River, jumps into the swift current to cool off and never re-surfaces.
Placer, Yuba and Nevada county residents should not worry if they see raging orange flames and plumes of smoke today as a prescribed burn that started at 10 a.m. continues through the evening.
The burn is occurring underneath the Middle Fork American River Canyon bridge, about a mile northeast of Auburn. The Lake Clementine Trail is also closed as part of the burn.
Smoke will be visible from Interstate 80, Highway 49, Auburn, Foresthill and the surrounding areas, according to Cal Fire.
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Parking and boating fees at Folsom Lake and Auburn state recreation areas are increasing.
The fee bumps, which start July 1, are to help maintain the heavily used recreation areas at a time of dire budget reductions and park closures. Changes include a $2 increase to launch power boats.
Among the increases at Folsom:
• Folsom Lake or Lake Natoma power boat launch fee: Current fee $8. New fee, $10.
• Willow Creek day use parking: Current fee, $5. New fee, $10.
• Rattlesnake Bar, Granite Bay, Beals Point, Folsom Point, Brown’s Ravine, Peninsula day use parking: Current fee $10. New fee, $12.
• Beals Point developed campground peak days: Current fee, $30 a night. New fee, $33 a night.
Among the increases at Auburn:
• Lower Lake Clementine power boat launch fee: Current fee, $8. New fee, $10.
• Yankee Jims, Grizzly Bear, Confluence, Long Point Trail parking areas: Current fee: nothing. New fee: $10.
A 20-year-old man from Travis Air Force base vanished on Saturday evening while trying to navigate rapids on an air mattress near the American River bridge on Highway 49.
Lt. Paul Norton of the Placer County Sheriff’s Department told the Auburn Journal that Levy Williams and Eugene V. Young, 19, of Vallejo tied two air mattresses together and set off down the river.
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Sacramento Fire Department’s special operations could be cut out of the 2012-2013 fiscal city budget; affecting several programs whose focus is rescue and public protection.
The water boat rescue program; heavy and confined space rescue; high angle and low angle; and trench rescue teams would be completely eliminated from the department. Three out of four hazmat teams would also disappear.
The SFD’s union said fire fighters respond to almost 80,000 calls each year. Only 500 of those calls are for hazmat, but fire fighters said those are the critical calls.
“You’re talking about vapor releases and liquid toxins that can kill on impact,” said Todd Filburn of Fire Fighters Local 522.
On the American River, families were enjoying the shallow end of the water, but were cautious of the swift and cold currents.
“You have to do your part to be safe, because the time rescuers can get to you, it’s too late,” said father Barry Cookson, who was tying inner tubes together and anchoring the line to a cement brick.
“That way the kids just float in a circle and you don’t lose anyone, because you will lose someone in the river.”
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The historic Mountain Quarries Railroad Bridge serves as a reminder of the rich history of the Auburn area shortly after the rafts hit the water just past the confluence of the North fork and the Middle fork of the American River.
After a few tame rapids and miles of beautiful scenery, the Auburn Dam site and the man-made rapids alongside the Placer County Water Agency pump house are a nod to what those in the rafting business hope is a bright future for the area.
Eight whitewater rafting companies were granted permits to a new route on the Middle Fork in mid-May and commercial trips will likely take place with regularity throughout the summer months.
Norm Schoenhoff has owned Whitewater Excitement since its inception in 1979. The majority of the company’s business takes place on the South Fork of the American River, starting in Lotus. But he believes the quick trip down the Middle Fork could be a great option for folks looking for a relaxing float on weeknights or a quick weekend trip.
“There are really only a few rapids – nothing over Class II, maybe Class III,” Schoenhoff said. “It would be a good family trip or a good trip for kids.”
Guides have the option of starting near the Highway 49 Bridge, or heading up the Quarry Trail via van and putting in on the Middle Fork. The water moves along at a leisurely pace, allowing boaters to take in the remarkable landscape and wildlife. The peaceful river winds through the steep canyon just below Auburn and gives even longtime Auburn residents a unique perspective of the area.
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Despite the cooler temperatures overnight a couple of grass fires broke out overnight in Sacramento keeping fire fighters busy.
One fire started around 2:00 Monday morning near the levy at the end of 10th Street near the American River.
The blaze burned nearly half an acre before crews got it under control.
Officials say the fire was likely started in a homeless camp.
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A pair of massive water diversion gates in the Delta near Walnut Grove has become stuck open due to a mechanical problem, posing a potential threat to juvenile salmon migrating to the ocean.
The Delta Cross Channel Gates, operated by the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, are used to divert Sacramento River water into the interior of the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta, and then to Reclamation export pumps near Tracy.
This time of year, the gates are normally closed on weekdays to ensure migrating salmon are not diverted from their migratory path in the Sacramento River, and opened on weekends to accommodate boat traffic.
But on Tuesday, while officials were attempting to close the gates after the Memorial Day weekend,one of the two gates could not be closed due to a mechanical problem. So Reclamation has left both gates open while it works on a fix.
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Thousands of people are expected to pack area rivers this Memorial Day weekend.
Rescue crews will be out at Discovery Park urging rafters and swimmers to wear life jackets in the river.
Drowning Accident Rescue Team President Bob Erickson said he is 90 percent sure his team will be called out to perform a rescue.
Park rangers will be cracking down on those breaking the booze ban.
They will issue citations if necessary.
Sacramento Metro fire officials said 60 percent of the drownings they respond to every year are alcohol-related.
Pool safety is also a big concern, especially for children.