Second Disaster Looming As Rain Predicted In Butte Fire Burn Scar
MOUNTAIN RANCH (CBS13) — With rain in the forecast, a sandbag brigade is trying to prevent erosion, flooding and mudslides in the area already devastated by this summer's Butte Fire.
Calaveras County opened a sandbagging station in Mountain Ranch. A California Conservation Corps crew was on hand to help stone one disaster from becoming another.
"We're trying to prevent the mudslide coming down on buildings and on the roadsides," said Jason Barrett.
The Butte Fire burned more than 70,000 acres in Amador and Calaveras counties, killing two people and destroying 475 homes. Flames also scorched vegetation that helps capture rainwater and prevent erosion.
"When you don't have the grasses and trees the soil is exposed. when the rain comes down they don't have anything where it can be absorbed," said Lisa Medina.
Residents in the fire area are encouraged to start sandbagging now. Even if storms expected on Wednesday and Sunday don't deliver a large amount of of rain, a long winter with the possibility of a long, wet El Nino is looming.
"We are trying to get the message out there to make sure the people are ready and prepared," she said.
Joe McGehee's home was damaged in the fire. Now he's trying to protect what he has left.
"Trying to build a barrier to keep the mud from sliding down the hill and taking out the rest of the house," he said.
He says recent rains have already created dangerous conditions.
"The other day when we got that big rain i saw my road, you couldn't pass over it without 4-wheel drive," he said.
