Caltrans Crews Assist in Rim Fire Efforts

Caltrans District 10 is part of the team dealing with the Rim Fire near State Route 120 in Tuolumne County. More than 40 crew members have been on the mountain since last Thursday, August 22. They’re working 12 to 14 hour shifts removing fire damaged trees, repairing guard rail posts and replacing numerous signs to safely open the roadway for motorists, tourists and businesses.


Caltrans maintenance crews teamed up to tackle this enormous undertaking. Maintenance Supervisor, Matt Connolly says they are working together to get the highway open as quickly and safely as possible.

“In a normal day we can replace 40 posts. For the Rim Fire, we have been able to replace more than 100 posts a day. So far we’ve repaired 680 guard rails, our crews are in overdrive,” says Connolly.

Amarjeet Benipal, the Acting Caltrans District 10 Director says, “Thankfully we are not in this situation often but when we are needed, Caltrans is there to help our communities.”

Lyn Serpa, wife of James Serpa, one of the crew members working to get the highway opened said, “The men and women of Caltrans leave their families to go work in dangerous situations to make our roadways safe for the public, we should all be proud. They have a job to do and we just want them to do it well and come home safe.”