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‘You are the ones drowning.’ CA park official issues pointed warning to this specific group

By Sacramento Bee staff

With two potential drownings already this year in the Auburn State Recreation Area that he supervises, Mike Howard was blunt when he spoke at an event Wednesday about dangerous river conditions brought on by the melting record snow pack.

“Somehow this message is not getting to the people who need it the most,” said Howard, the sector supervisor for the Auburn State Recreation Area. “Sixteen to 24-year-old males: I’m talking to you. You are the ones drowning in these rivers at a far higher rate than anyone else.”

Since 1983, 54 people have drowned in the Auburn State Recreation Area, he said.

A body found last week at Folsom Lake was identified Monday as 22-year-old Victor Nguyen of Antelope, who was reported swept away on April 29 from near where Howard was speaking.

A Bay Area man who jumped into the north fork of the American by Yankee Jims Bridge near Foresthill on May 14 is still missing.

Howard spoke as part of a media event to highlight the river danger before Memorial Day weekend. Representatives from the Placer County Sheriff’s Office, the county Office of Emergency Services, the county fire department and Cal Fire joined the event, which featured a demonstration of the challenges of river rescues.

The group of first responders have created a website with safety tips as part of their “Be River Wise” campaign.

First responders from the Placer County Sheriff’s Office, Cal Fire and California State Parks demonstrate the challenge rescues on swiftly running water at the confluence of north and middle forks of the American River near Auburn on Wednesday. One person has died, and another remains missing, in the American River in Placer County in recent weeks.
First responders from the Placer County Sheriff’s Office, Cal Fire and California State Parks demonstrate the challenge rescues on swiftly running water at the confluence of north and middle forks of the American River near Auburn on Wednesday. One person has died, and another remains missing, in the American River in Placer County in recent weeks. Hector Amezcua hamezcua@sacbee.com
Visitors walk with their dogs near the American River confluence at the on Wednesday. State and local officials are warning that the swift and cold water from the record-breaking snow pack will pose “extreme danger” much later into the summer than usual.
Visitors walk with their dogs near the American River confluence at the on Wednesday. State and local officials are warning that the swift and cold water from the record-breaking snow pack will pose “extreme danger” much later into the summer than usual. Hector Amezcua hamezcua@sacbee.com
Mike Howard, sector superintendent of the Auburn State Recreation Area, warns of the dangers posed by record snow melt at the American River confluence on Wednesday at a press event where first responders from the Placer County Sheriff’s Office, Cal Fire and California State Parks demonstrated the challenges of river rescue.
Mike Howard, sector superintendent of the Auburn State Recreation Area, warns of the dangers posed by record snow melt at the American River confluence on Wednesday at a press event where first responders from the Placer County Sheriff’s Office, Cal Fire and California State Parks demonstrated the challenges of river rescue. Hector Amezcua hamezcua@sacbee.com
The confluence of the north and middle forks of the American River is swollen with record snow melt on Wednesday, as first responders from the Placer County Sheriff’s Office, Cal Fire and California State Parks demonstrate the challenges of river rescue.
The confluence of the north and middle forks of the American River is swollen with record snow melt on Wednesday, as first responders from the Placer County Sheriff’s Office, Cal Fire and California State Parks demonstrate the challenges of river rescue. Hector Amezcua hamezcua@sacbee.com

This story was originally published May 18, 2023 at 6:30 AM.

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