  Cache Creek, Ukiah Field Office - Photo by Chris Lloyd, BLM
2020 Photo Contest Submission
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ISSUE 916- August 21, 2020
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Lightning-sparked wildfires burn throughout California
Dozens of large fires have burned hundreds of thousands of acres this week from lightning-sparked fires across the state. On BLM-managed lands there are two large fires in NE California where fire crews are actively engaging in fire suppression. Follow us on social media for the latest fire updates on Facebook or Twitter!
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BLM-CA provides interagency support to the El Dorado National Forest
Two Single-Engine Air Tankers (SEAT’s) contracted by Bureau of Land Management California and based out of Rogers Field in Chester, were tasked to assist and provide interagency aviation support to the El Dorado National Forest (ENF) by dropping retardant on the Margaret Fire which was caused by lightning. This was the first time these SEAT’s had ever dropped retardant on the ENF. (BLM CA Facebook)
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COVID-19 could threaten firefighters as wildfire season ramps up
The number of acres burned so far this year is below the 10-year average, but the fire outlook for August is above average in nine states, according to the National Interagency Fire Center. Twenty-two large fires ignited on Aug. 17 alone after lightning storms passed through the Northwest, and two days later, California declared a state of emergency due to uncontrolled wildfires. (TIME)
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National Preparedness level elevated
The National Preparedness level was raised to PL5 which is the highest level of wildland fire activity. Several geographic areas are experiencing large, complex wildland fire incidents, which have the potential to exhaust national wildland firefighting resources. At least 80 percent of the country’s IMTs and wildland firefighting personnel are currently committed to wildland fire incidents. At this level, all fire-qualified employees become available for wildfire response.(BLM CA Facebook)
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Keep your family safe from wildfire smoke
Current smoke conditions around the state continue to worsen as wildfires continue to burn during this heat wave. For some helpful tips to reduce health risks in areas with wildfire smoke, please check out these helpful tips.
For local air quality conditions, please visit AirNow.
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For the latest info on current wildfires in CA, visit these helpful websites:
- Inciweb
- Cal Fire
- National Fire Situational Awareness Tool
Remember to also follow on social media your local fire units for updates specific to your area and heed all evacuation warning & orders.
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Temporary emergency closures issued for two BLM Monuments due to wildfires
Due to current wildfire danger, the Bureau of Land Management has issued a temporary emergency closure for some of the BLM-managed public lands within and adjacent to the Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument in Lake and Napa counties as well as the Ft. Ord National Monument in Monterey County.
For all closures & fire restrictions, please visit BLM-CA's website.
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National forests packed: Here are some outdoor tips for restless visitors
With many parks, forests and recreation sites currently seeing three-times the visitors, it is important to remember to #RecreateResponsibly when enjoying your public lands. Watch this short news clip to see what you can do to reduce waste and wildfire risk! (KCRA News)
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Be fire safe - Do your part!
Your engine exhaust pipe or a spark from a trailer chain can cause a wildland fire, putting firefighters, other visitors, and communities at risk. Take the time to check your chain and don’t park on dry grass! For more vehicle safety tips, visit Ready for Wildfire.
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Practice social distancing outdoors
Outdoor activities can provide many health benefits when practiced safely. We recommend visiting areas close to home while avoiding very popular or crowded locations where social distancing may be difficult and limiting group activities to members of your household. Do your part when visiting public lands. (BLM CA Website)
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Not your average BLM job!
When people think of the tasks assigned to Bureau of Land Management resource management specialists, snorkeling probably does not come to mind. But it was all in a days work for our Redding Field Office wildlife technicians recently, as they worked on a project to survey and document fresh water mussels on the wild and scenic Trinity River in Trinity County, CA.
Our folks were working with partners from the U.S. Forest Service and Trinity River Restoration Project to conduct the first-ever mussel survey on the river, documenting abundance and distribution of the special-status species.🐢 This work will provide important data for planning river restoration projects. (BLM CA Facebook)
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Wildfire smoke between a swirling low & a major hurricane
Check out this satellite imagery by GOES-West of the Earth that shows the current wildfire smoke and the other weather patterns affecting California wildfires.
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Calling all photographers who enjoy public lands!
Have you heard about the Federal recreation lands photo contest? Share your best photos from any BLM monument or recreation site, National Parks or Forests. The contest has some amazing prizes, including cash! Think you have what it takes to win? For full details visit the Share the Experience website.
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Current Fire Restrictions
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Trump administration finalizes plan to open up Alaska wildlife refuge to drilling
The Trump administration announced Monday it would open up 1.5 million acres of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to oil and gas drilling. A document signed by Interior Secretary David Bernhardt would open up the entire 1.56 million-acre area of the refuge’s Coastal Plain. The whole refuge is 19.3 million acres. The administration argues the decision will lead to jobs, but green groups and opponents for years have warned of a devastating environmental effect from opening up the area to drilling. (The Hill)
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The BLM expands off-range holding capacity for excess wild horses and burros with four new corral contracts
In support of the Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM) mission to sustainably manage wild horses and burros on public rangelands, the agency announced today that is has completed the necessary environmental analyses to award contracts for three new and one expanded off-range corral facilities in the states of Colorado, Utah and Wyoming. (BLM News Release)
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Harnessing Arctic energy for a secure, prosperous future
In April of 1987, after six years of energy and environmental study, former Secretary of the Interior Donald Hodel recommended to Congress that the so called “coastal plain” of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) should be available for oil and gas exploration, development and transportation. Congress had created the 19.3 million-acre ANWR in 1980, setting aside 8% of the refuge, a 1.6 million-acre area along the Arctic Ocean Beaufort Sea coast, for study of its energy potential. Secretary Hodel’s recommendations were never implemented. (DOI News Release)
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Secretary Bernhardt highlights outdoor recreation and RV manufacturers signing the Pledge to America's Workers
U.S. Secretary of the Interior David L. Bernhardt was joined by U.S. Senator Todd Young and U.S. Congresswoman Jackie Walorski (IN-02) as they highlighted the importance of outdoor recreation and the resurgence of the American economy during a visit to East to West RV. (DOI News Release)
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Besides raising their body temperature, why do Western Pond Turtles like to bask in the sun?
1. To work on their tan
2. To get in a good nap
3. To ponder the meaning of life
4. To rid themselves of parasites
Keep scrolling to find the answer.
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Public land mining claim fees and waivers are due to BLM by September 1st
Public land mining claim fees and waivers are due by September 1st. Claimants who wish to retain their existing mining claims on federal public lands through the 2021 assessment year must pay a maintenance fee or file a Maintenance Fee Waiver Certification (Small Miner’s Waiver) on or before the deadline to prevent the mining claim from being declared forfeit and void. For full details please read the news release.
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Question of the Week Answer
The answer is 4! Hanging out in the sun helps these turtles produce vitamin D, an essential nutrient for healthy living. Certain artificial lighting can help the body synthesize vitamin D. however, basking can also help relieve an animal of ectoparasites, the scientific term for harmful organism’s on the outside of an animal. Leeches are a blood-sucking ectoparasite that can cause anemia in reptiles. Drying out in the sun causes the leeches to shrivel up and die. Algae on basking aquatic turtles can also dry out and fall off, allowing the shells to retain their aerodynamic nature.
Sources: Nature Mapping The Super Fins
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