Crackdown on homeless camps in Sonora continues after nearby fire | News

A city-and-state initiated crackdown on three homeless encampments in the Woods Creek watershed southwest of downtown Sonora continued Wednesday morning, less than 24 hours after a fire ignited, burned a quarter-acre, and required a full-on air-and- ground attack a few yards from the camp closest to Mother Lode Fairgrounds.

No homeless campers appeared to be present at the camp next to Stockton Road at 7 am Wednesday. California Highway Patrol personnel in the area said they had just relieved other law enforcement who watched the vacant camp overnight.

Sonora Police Chief Turu VanderWiel and other Sonora Police personnel were above one end of the camp Wednesday morning to continue their criminal investigation of whatever caused the fire on Tuesday. Across Woods Creek from the camp, yellow tape encircled a patch of the burn scar near a possible point of origin.

“We don’t know enough to connect the fire to anything yet,” VanderWiel said in an interview. “We can’t even rule out it was accidental at this time. There’s a lot of work to do. We’re just thankful the pilots and firefighters put it out as quickly as they did.”

By 8 am Wednesday, Caltrans contract workers in closed hazmat masks, gloves and suits began clearing tents and other structures that were standing Tuesday during the fire but were knocked down and leveled as of Wednesday morning.

The workers came across live chicks and at least two live roosters in the piles of debris. A Sonora Police staff person was on scene trying to collect the chicks. On Tuesday, he successfully corralled some chickens and some cats, VanderWiel said.

Caltrans and City of Sonora staff say the homeless camp closures are needed because of public safety concerns that include fire risk and excessive trash and debris. The state and the city have relied on the Tuolumne County Health and Human Services Agency for trying to relocate and assist up to 30 homeless individuals who used to occupy the three camps, which are next to Stockton Road, at the Stockton-Highway 108 overpass, and on Wigwam Road.

VanderWiel said anyone who witnessed the start of the fire Tuesday near the camp below Stockton Road and downstream from Mother Lode Fairgrounds can call Sonora Police (209) 532-8141.

Last week, the Sonora City Council approved four new laws, including an urgency ordinance and a new policy addressing homeless encampments, all intended to legally conduct the camp closures and cleanups with Caltrans this week.

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