Amador County – The Amador-El Dorado Unit of the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection launched its own website with pertinent information for everyone living within the boundaries of Amador and El Dorado counties, and portions of Alpine, Sacramento and San Joaquin counties.

Unit Chief Kelly Keenan said the Unit “worked very hard over the last year putting this website together,” and through the Cal-Fire Amador-El Dorado Unit website you will see who we are, what we do, and the breadth of services we offer residents on a daily basis.” He hoped people would “take a few minutes to see what we are all about.”

The site said the Amador-El Dorado Unit encompasses 2.6 million acres, and has direct protection duties over nearly 900,000 acres.

The Unit also boasts a new Amador Division Chief, Brian Estes, who took over the position last month, and who comes from a wide range of experience, and has a 23-year career in fire fighting. He said Tuesday that this position in Amador County is likely a long-term post for him and career-wise, it is a plateau. He oversees training and also the Pine Grove Conservation Camp, which is the last California Department of Justice youth conservation camp in the state. It also holds the most history, being the first fire camp created as a Civilian Conservation Corps camp.

The website said the Amador-El Dorado Unit dates back to the World War II era when the infrastructure expanded to meet the growing population and emerging threat of wildland fire along the west slope of Amador and El Dorado counties. The Unit also includes the American River and the Lake Tahoe Basin.

Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.