All Access Denied
Tuolumne County, CA — Unless you’re a resident or members of the Rim Fire emergency response team you won’t get into Tuolumne City. The advisory evacuations have expanded from the area known as Sherwood Forest to the east entrance of Twain Harte down Highway 108 to Willow Springs and Soulsbyville. Click here for a map. Highway 108 is open to traffic.
That is not the case in Tuolumne City, Spokesperson Scott Johnson says, “The California Highway Patrol is manning road closures at all entrances into Tuolumne City unless you are a resident and can prove you are a resident.”
Below are the additional areas under advisory evacuation areas:
• Tuolumne City
• Ponderosa Hills
• Pine Mountain Lake (other than Units 11, 11A and 12 which are mandatory)
• Camp Mather
• Berkeley Family Camp
• Hardin Flat
• Ferretti Road
• Clements Road
• Camp Tawonga
• Buck Meadows
• San Jose Family Camp
• Rainbow Pool
• Yosemite Inn
• Early Intake
• Evergreen Lodge
• Packard Canyon
• Spinning Wheel Forest Service Facility
• Cherry Creek Campground evacuated
The areas in the mandatory evacuations (Pine Mountain Lake Units 11, 11A and 12) include Hillcroft Drive, Yorkshire Road, Lake Spur, Clements Road, Cliffton Way, Neil Court, Hemlock Street, Woodside Way, Owl Court, Iris Court, Jimmersail Lane and Beaver Court.
Johnson they have not started using the reverse 911 system in Tuolumne City or Ponderosa Hills yet because the advisory evacuation notice is precaution at this time. However, they are recommending residents get prepare in the event a mandatory evacuation is ordered. Some streets in downtown Tuolumne City are shut down due to law enforcement activity in the area.
The only shelter open is at the Mother Lode Fairgrounds in Sonora. Red Cross officials tell us they have seen a stream of people coming in since the Pine Mountain Lake evacuations started. At about 8pm on Thursday, they had 90 people registered and anticipate more to come through the doors. They say many people came with their pets in hand.
If you need help to move your animals, Tuolumne County Animal Control is kenneling pets. They can coordinate places for livestock to go. You can call them at 209-694-2730. Also, the Sherriff’s Posse Fairgrounds are taking in horses. You will need to bring your own water bucket and feed. Temporary pens can be hooked up to the arena as well. You can call 209-532-8269 or 209-559-1323.
