Angels Camp, CA…On 07.31.20 about 5pm the fire dispatch center starting receiving 911 calls for a wildland fire in the field behind O’Reilly Auto Parts on 740 S. Main St. At 5:03pm (4) fire engines were dispatched to this incident along with Chief Officers from the City of Angels Camp, Altaville Melones Fire District and Calfire. The first fire engine arrived at 5:05pm, the next two arrived within one minute and the fourth shortly after.
The initial conditions reported by the first arriving fire engine were, approximately 1 acre on fire with threats to structures in the area. Additional fire engines and aircraft were requested. (6) Additional Calfire engines, (5) additional Local Government fire engines, (1) Local Govt. Strike team and aircraft were dispatched. The fire moved rapidly to the south and west.
Homes were identified as immediately threatened from the fire on S. Main St., Utica Ln and in the areas of Bush and Echo St. Evacuations were ordered for these areas. Angels Camp PD, Calaveras County Sheriffs Dept. along with CHP was requested and assisted fire agencies with evacuations.
Multiple 911 calls continued for possible people trapped by the fire as well as homes and other structures on fire. Fire agencies and Law agencies responded to these calls to identify the needs and take action.
As aircraft arrived they immediately identified the major structure threat areas and fire retardant was dropped to protect homes and to assist with further spread of the fire.
A unified fire command structure was put in place between the City of Angels Camp and Calfire to address all issues as well as strategy and tactics.
Law enforcement closed highway 49 in the area affected by fire activity.
The City of Angels Camp and Calaveras County both activate their emergency Operations Centers to assist and the Red Cross assisted at the scene.
Damage-
About 10 acres burned, (1) home destroyed, home was unoccupied, (1) out building destroyed, (1) garage minor damage, (2) houses with minor damage, multiple fences damaged, multiple spot fires to yards and landscaping areas.
Injuries- None
Person’s displaced-None
Origin and Cause-
Origin was in field next to O’Reilly Auto, Cause-Under investigation, considered suspicious and witness statements are ongoing.
South County Fire Departments, Angels Camp & Altaville Melones Release Details on O’Reilly Fire added by admin on
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Thank you dedicated fire personnel. Although I am no longer in Calaveras, my heart, thoughts and prayers are always there with my Calaveras family.
And this has always been a fire hazard Angels City has ignored since and before the early 70’s. There was a fire in this same canyon in the 80’s but not as bad nor a violent as this fire was. When will the citizens of Angels Camp hold their city government to clean up, clear up and hold all areas privately owned accountable to clean up their fire hazards yearly. Until you the citizen hold your city government accountable this is a constant reality in fire season.
The community should just get together and clean up these areas. If we wait for the city to it will have to burn first.