VOLLEYBALL: Frogs overpower Grizzlies, Cats top Ripon MORE IN SPORTS:Sonora freshmengridders open year Z-O,C2 A N
D I N SIDE: Commission to weigh rezonefor medical pot dispensary, A3
1HE MOl HERLODE'S LEADING INFORMATION SODRCE SINCE1854 • SONORA, CALIFORNIA
WEDNESD AY SEPTEMBER 9, 2015
TODAY'S RijLDiRBOAR D BRIEFING
Firefighter injured; 100 acres scorched By GUY McCARTHY and LYDIA BROWNING The Union Democrat
Inside a fast-moving blaze Tuesday aflernoon on steep slopes above Phoenix Lake, firefighters faced flames that leapt 50 feet in the air while pilots in retardant-dropping planes and water-dropping helicopters worked at treetop level to protect homes and key water
Snell Street cloSLIre —Snell Street has been closed since last week as Condor EarthTechnologies, Inc. oversees work required by St. James Church per the Central Valley Regional Water Quality Control Board.A2
infrastructure.
Shifting winds fueled flames that spawned walls of smoke, changing bright, bluebird sunshine to pitch-black darkness, while residents, visitors, law enforcement, utility crews and fire personnel scrambled in vehicles up and down narrow, switchbacking roads including Big Hill Road. The Sierra Outdoor School and Old Oak Youth Ranch were evacuated, while deputies in squad cars, pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles checked on multiple residents who live on the densely forested hillsides. At least one home and two other structures described as outbuildings were destroyed. The fire was reported at 1:23 p.m. near Old Oak Ranch Road and Big Hill Road at Cedar Ridge, according to Cal Fire personnel with the Tuolumne-Calaveras Unit in San Andreas. As of 5:30 p.m. the blaze had consumed about100 acres and itwa s said to be 20 percent contained. Power lines were reported down in some areas. One firefighter was injured while fighting the fire. Details about the extent of the crew member's injury were not released. The cause ofthefire was said to beunder investigation. More than 195 fire personnel were assigned to the blaze, including 22 engine crews, six
News NotesUpcoming events in the Mother Lode.A2
Head-oncolliSIOn —Three people sustained major injuries Friday after a head-on collision on Highway 4 in Murphys.A3
Vegetation fires — Two vegetation fires were reported in Calaveras County over the weekend.A3
Vital Stats — AIIst of marriages and deaths recorded in Tuolumne County.A3
ground crews, four bulldozers, five tanker
OplnlOn —Parents'
trucks, one air attack plane, and multiple tanker planes and helicopters. Deer thrive in the area and three of them, two adults and one fawn, looked confused on Big Hill Road below one active edge of the blaze. Up on Old Oak Ranch Road closer to the flames, a lizard ran onto retardant-soaked pavement, seemingly lost in the fast changing conditions. High on Old Oak Ranch Road, firefighters tried to protect the Pacific Gas & Electric
labor pains ongoing; No, the system is not broken.A4
BUSINESS • REAL ESTATE: Home sales are up in Tuolumne County.B1 • BIZTRAINING: Low cost seminars offered in Angels Camp.B1 • COLLEGE COSTS: How not to finance a college education for your kids.B1
NEWS ELSEWHERE • KENTUCKY:The Kentucky county clerk jailed for refusing to issue marriage licenses to gay couples was releasedTuesday.AS • HUNGARY:U.N. wa ms country faces more migrants.A5
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Phoenix Penstock, a water control point that
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Heat is back, smoke is looming Smoke from two national parks fires drifting into the Mother Lode By GUY McCARTHY The Union Democrat
Temperatures 100 degrees and hotter are returning this week to Mother Lode towns including AngelsCamp, Columbia, Sonora and Jamestown. Daily highs in Angels Camp are expected to climb today and Thursday, and peak around 107 by Friday, according to National Weather Service forecasts. Sonora's high is expected around 100 today, with a peak Friday high around 103. Meanwhile the Rough Fire, sparked by lightning July 31 and burning 180 miles southeast of Sonora in Kings Canyon National Park, is now the largest active fire in California. Smoke from that blaze is drifting north into the
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"Inplacesnearestthefire we' reseeing unhealthy to hazardous conditions, and in thefoothills north and northwestfothefire we' re seeing unhealthy conditions."
fire has grown to 500 acres in Yosemite National Park.
The Tenaya Fire was discovered Monday night near the rim of YosemiteValley eastofYosemite Falls, according to park staK The firegrew Tuesday in warm temperatures and by 5 p.m. it was estimated at 500 acres. Trails on the north rim of Yosemite Valley south of Tioga Road and east of Yosemite Creek were closed.
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The Union Democrat
Smoke from the Rough Fire was also drifting north and northwest into foothill areas, including the Mother Lode. "In placesnearest the fire we're
seeing unhealthy to hazardous conditions, and in the foothills north and northwest of the fire we' re seeing unhealthy conditions," said Josh Hall, a Forest Service environmental scientist who is helping
Last weekend's Strawberry Music Festival is in the books and county officials are working to gather feedback for a post-event report. The festival was held Thursday through Monday morning for the first time at the Westside property in Tuolumne. Several businesses say they saw a boost from the thousands of visitors who flocked to the areaforthe four-day event. "It was very profitable for us," said Art Delgado,manager ofRevive Cafe and Coffee Roastery at 18698 Pine St. in Tuolumne. 'There was a line going out the door waiting for coffee and burritos and such. We just
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Event boosts area business By ALEX MacLEAN
— Josh Hall, a Forest Service environmental scientist
Mother Lode at times and another
StrawderryMusicFestival
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Friday:High 105, Low 66
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