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California forest fire temporarily strands July 4th revelers

APTOPIX California Wildfires
Noah Berger/AP
Firefighters battle the Electra Fire in the Rich Gulch community of Calaveras County, Calif., on Monday, July 4, 2022. According to Amador County Sheriff Gary Redman, approximately 100 people sheltered at a Pacific Gas & Electric facility before being evacuated in the evening. (AP Photo/Noah Berger)
APTOPIX California Wildfires
Posted at 8:15 AM, Jul 05, 2022
and last updated 2022-07-05 13:09:57-04

JACKSON, Calif. (AP) — Fourth of July revelers stranded by a wildfire in a mountainous California region that’s a top tourist destination have safely evacuated, but the fire is still chewing through forests in two counties.

The fire in Sierra Nevada Gold Country tripled in size to more than 4.7 square miles Tuesday morning.

The fire erupted Monday afternoon at a recreation area packed with people.

Between 85 to 100 celebrating at a river were forced to take shelter at Pacific Gas & Electric Co. facility.

Amador County Sheriff Gary Redman tells The San Francisco Chronicle that they were safely evacuated.

Evacuations were ordered in Amador and Calaveras counties. More than 400 structures are threatened.

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WILDFIRE RESOURCES

ASSEMBLE AN EMERGENCY SUPPLY KIT

Put together your emergency supply kit long before a wildfire or other disaster occurs and keep it easily accessible so you can take it with you when you have to evacuate.

Emergency Supply Kit Checklist:

  • Face masks or coverings
  • Three-day supply of non-perishable food and three gallons of water per person
  • Map marked with at least two evacuation routes
  • Prescriptions or special medications
  • Change of clothing
  • Extra eyeglasses or contact lenses
  • An extra set of car keys, credit cards, cash or traveler’s checks
  • First aid kit
  • Flashlight
  • Battery-powered radio and extra batteries
  • Sanitation supplies
  • Copies of important documents (birth certificates, passports, etc.)
  • Don’t forget pet food and water!

Items to take if time allows:

  • Easily carried valuables
  • Family photos and other irreplaceable items
  • Personal computer information on hard drives and disks
  • Chargers for cell phones, laptops, etc.

Always keep a sturdy pair of shoes and a flashlight near your bed and handy in case of a sudden evacuation at night.