People still stuck at Mammoth Pool due to Creek Fire. Rescue pending

As many as 20 people, along with 15 dogs, remained trapped Sunday night at Mammoth Pool Reservoir due to the massive Creek Fire, according to the Madera County Sheriff’s Office.

The California Army National Guard’s 40th Combat Aviation Brigade attempted an air rescue earlier in the day — but the smoke intensified and made visibility difficult, forcing the rescuers to turn around.

“There have been reports that everyone is safe and everyone evacuated, but that’s not the case,” said Thousand Oaks resident Janet Ziff, whose 25-year-old son Alec was among those still stuck at Mammoth Pool.

“There are still people who haven’t been rescued.”

The California National Guard was planning a second rescue attempt Sunday night, coordinating a ground rescue that would potentially require a bulldozer to move abandoned vehicles.

Late Saturday night, 214 people were airlifted via Blackhawk helicopters after they were unable to evacuate the Mammoth Pool area in time.

A Sierra National Forest official had advised those stranded to shelter-in-place, even if it meant going in the water.

Ziff said her son and his group of 15 friends were among those who never had a chance to leave Saturday — initially unaware there was a mandatory evacuation issued earlier in the day until it was too late, and separated from the large group that was rescued later that night.

So Alec and his friends spent Saturday night and most of Sunday in recreational vehicles while waiting for help, according to his mother.

The Ziff family spoke briefly to Alec early Sunday.

But cell phone service remained spotty at best, and it had been at least six hours since they’d last talked.

“It’s scary,” Ziff said. “The biggest concern is the smoke ventilation. And the area is full of cars that are all abandoned and burnt.

“I just want my son safe.”

This story was originally published September 6, 2020 at 8:34 PM.