The Amador County Fair is a celebratory weekend where the county gets to indulge in local wines, the 4-H and FFA students get to sell their livestock that they have been raising for months, and the greasy food becomes a basic staple for the fair-goers.
With most of the county’s population indulging in the merriments of the fair, it was almost possible to forget the tragedy just outside Plymouth’s city limits. However, a single glance to the impending-smoke-plume-covered-sky reminded the people of Amador County what was looming right outside the fair gates.
The Sand Fire started on July 25 due to a vehicle crashing into dry vegetation. The spark from this collision resulted in a fire that would catch Amador and El Dorado counties off guard, with both counties sending in their unit of firefighters. A total of 40 men and women fought hard against this fire.
Although the fire only burned a little over a week, the damage that it accumulated was devastating. Sixty-seven buildings were demolished (20 homes and 47 commercial buildings), and 4,240 acres of Amador County’s land was destroyed. You never think that this kind of damage is possible until it happens right in your home town.
It is truly unfortunate that California has experienced an extremely dry winter this past season. Because of this, it has left California is an exceptionally vulnerable position in regards to fires. This summer not only brought the Sand Fire to life, but also other fires rampaging through the lands of California.
Currently, Cal Fire reports that most fires are in the northern part of California; close to the border of Oregon. One can only hope that these fires can be put out as quickly and effectively as the Sand Fire was.
I’m sure I speak for all of California when I thank the diligent firemen and women who protect our beautiful state from the destruction and devastation of wildfires.
Breanne Orey
Layout Editor
borey@ucmerced.edu