Category Archives: safety

River rescues spark increased patrols

Sacramento Metro Firefighters on the swift water rescue team have been very busy. Firefighters said they made 28 rescues between Monday and Tuesday along the American River alone.

Because of he recent activity, Sac Metro, Sacramento City, and the Folsom Fire Department are all teaming up for “Operation River Safe”.”We are putting six boats and more than twenty trained firefighters on the American River to be in position to respond to water emergencies.

With the conditions, it’s a matter of if, not when,” said Sacramento Metro Fire’s Pat Ellis.Triple-digit heat and abnormally high water flows have combined for a very dangerous situation.

More at KCRA.com >>>

Nearly 30 stranded rafters rescued from the American River in the past three days

Sacramento Metropolitan firefighters rescued nearly 30 stranded rafters along the American River in just the past three days. The reason? The fast flowing American River is shoving rafts into trees, now under water, and popping the rafts like party balloons.

Sacramento County Park Ranger Steve Ingall describes the rafts as “modified pool toys.”

“People are just blatantly running the risk of killing themselves,” said Ingall.

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River access closed at sunrise boat launch

Snowmelt causing American River water levels to rise forces Sacramento County officials to close boat launch access near Sunrise Boulevard.

The increasing water levels along the American River are totaling more than 12,000 cubic feet per second (CFS), according to the California Bureau of Reclamation.

River rescue authorities continue to urge those partaking in river activities to use caution if they decide to get in the water at all.

More at patch.com >>>