BLM California News.Bytes Issue 1004

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Wildflowers in a field under a blue partially cloudy sky.

Applegate Field Office

ISSUE 1004 - June 17, 2022



Recreate Responsibly

Rock climbers on a rock formation.

Reach for the rocks at Sawtooth Canyon

Sawtooth Canyon Campground, also known as “New Jack City,” is tailor-made and customized to appeal to rock climbing enthusiasts who can challenge their skills against the jagged rock cliffs. The area offers many different recreational activities, including camping, wildlife viewing, hunting, and picnicking. (BLM CA Facebook)

 

Poppies on a hillside.

Wildflower blooms tucked away

As spring winds down and summer heat rises, wildflowers like California poppies along the Merced Wild and Scenic River are still blooming! The river, celebrating its 35th anniversary, is known for great rafting, camping and hiking opportunities! (BLM CA Website)

A person uses a flashlight to look at a phone.

Lost hikers can send an SOS to space

The Sarsat satellite system is a kind of celestial lifeguard for explorers, boaters, and aviators who might be in need of search and rescue. The system relies on simple devices that have one job—send a location-revealing distress signal, anywhere, in any weather—and a system of satellites that listen for those calls. (WIRED)


Headlines and Highlights

Solar panel arrays in the desert at sunset.

Two solar projects in California approved

The Biden-Harris Administration approve construction of two solar projects in southern California. The Arica and Victory Pass projects will support up to 1,000 jobs and generate up to 465 megawatts of power. (BLM News Release)

Shelly Lynch posing for a photo.

CA Desert District Manager selected

Michelle “Shelly” Lynch named new BLM California Desert District Manager! She will be responsible for 11 million-acres of public lands spanning nine counties and roughly 200 employees spread across five field offices. Congratulations Shelly! (BLM CA News Release)

A girl and her horse.

Adopted wild horses and burros show off their skills

The Mustang Heritage Foundation hosted a Trainer Incentive Program event where youth and adults had 100 days to train their newly adopted BLM wild horse or burro in basic halter skills. It was an incredible showcase of skills and they also had a lot of fun with the freestyle event using costumes! (BLM CA Facebook)

People posing for a photo in front of a fire engine.

Educating the public on fire prevention

Recently Bureau of Land Management fire and law enforcement personnel had the opportunity to speak to more than 3,000 attendees of the Temecula Balloon and Wine Festival about the importance of fire prevention and using public lands responsibly. (BLM CA Facebook)


Fire and Fuels Management

A lush green forest.

Arcata Field Office issues seasonal fire restrictions

Bureau of Land Management announces seasonal fire restrictions for lands managed by Arcata Field Office, beginning Tuesday, June 21. The fire order includes no campfires and barbecues, except within established campfire rings and BBQ grills in developed campgrounds and recreation sites. (BLM CA News Release)

A river running through a forested valley.

Seasonal fire restrictions for the Redding Field Office

The BLM will implement #firerestrictions for #publiclands managed by the Redding Field Office in Shasta, Siskiyou, Butte, Trinity and Tehama counties, beginning Wed., June 15. Certain areas will prohibit campfires and BBQ's, please read the news release for full details.

Firefighters walking in a smoky forest.

BLM hotshots assist CAL FIRE

Because wildfire knows no boundaries, local, Tribal, State and Federal agencies coordinate wildfire suppression efforts to best protect the public and natural resources throughout California! The Diamond Mountain Hotshots, Lassen National Forest crews and CAL FIRE worked together to suppress a 1.5-acre wildfire caused by lightning. (BLM CA Facebook)

Know before you go.

#FireTipFriday

Did you know 9 out of 10 wildfires are human caused and completely preventable? Always check the fire restrictions for the area you will be visiting - many areas right now prohibit campfires due to the high fire danger. Find out about BLM California fire restrictions below!


Current Fire Restrictions

Wildfire Information Dashboard and Fire Restrictions. Click here for interactive maps.

BLM California fire restrictions or temporary public land closures are used to reduce the risk of wildfires and protect the public. Often times these preventative measures focus on human-related activities, such as campfires, off-road driving, equipment use and recreational target shooting, since human-related activities are the number one cause of a wildfires. View all current fire restrictions and fire orders on our interactive maps or the BLM Fire Restriction webpage.

Statewide year-round restrictions

Criteria to build a campfire, where allowed, outside of developed campgrounds:

  • maintain a five-foot diameter area cleared to bare soil and free of any overhead flammable materials in all directions around the campfire,
  • have on hand a functioning round-point shovel, with an overall length of at least 35 inches, that can be easily accessed within a reasonable amount of time in response to a fire ignition,
  • possess a valid California Campfire Permit, available free of charge at CAL FIRE's website.

Additional statewide restrictions can be found on the BLM website.

District and Field Office fire restrictions

Bakersfield Field Office                    California Desert District

Bishop Field Office                           Mother Lode Field Office

Central Coast Field Office


Question of the Week

True or False? Owls don't construct their own nests.

An owl perched on a fence while a raven swoops in.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Scroll down for answer!

Photo by Russell Namitz, BLM


Careers on Your Public Lands

Two people in uniform next to a bicycle.

Now Hiring for BLM California

Bureau of Land Management California is looking to fill multiple jobs across the state. For all current vacancies, visit USAJOBS!

Featured Job: Park Ranger - 2 vacancies!

Location: Bishop and Ukiah, CA
Pay: $44,740-71,146/year, GS-7-9
Position closes June 29th - Apply today!

Here's a few more open positions:

Monument Manager - GS-12, Permanent

Forestry Technician (Lead IHC Member) - GS-6/7, Permanent

Natural Resources Specialist - GS-7/9, Permanent

Botanist - GS-12, Permanent


DOI & BLM National News

Three firefighters walking alongside a brushfire.

Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to provide $103 million for wildfire mitigation and resilience

During a visit to the National Interagency Fire Center today, Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland announced the allocation of $103 million in fiscal year 2022 for wildfire risk reduction efforts throughout the country from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and the establishment of an interagency wildland firefighter health and wellbeing program. (DOI News Release)

A sage grouse in a field.

$9 million from Bipartisan Infrastructure Law awarded to sagebrush projects in the west

These projects will combat invasive grasses and wildfire, reduce encroaching conifers, safeguard precious water resources for neighboring communities and wildlife, and promote community and economic sustainability. (DOI News Release)

DOI logo.

Interior Department revokes Secretary's Order that interfered with litigation processes

Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland issued Secretary’s Order 3408, which revokes Secretary’s Order 3368, which imposed redundant, inefficient and vague obligations on the Department and its litigation processes that do not serve the goals of transparency and efficiency. (DOI News Release)

Solar panel array.

Secretary Haaland commemorates the transfer of operations at the Dworshak National Fish Hatchery to the Nez Perce Tribe in Idaho; there's $9 million on the way to help restore and protect the sagebrush ecosystem; the BLM approves the construction of two western solar energy projects. (DOI YouTube)


Upcoming Events

A large tree in a green field.

Father's day weekend hike at Fort Ord

Join the Bureau of Land Management and Blue Zones Project Monterey County for a fun and interactive hike in celebration of Father's Day at Fort Ord National Monument! On Saturday, June 18, Ranger Tammy will lead the easy to moderate 3.6 mile hike, and will share all of her wonderful knowledge and expertise about the area and it's flora and fauna! (Blue Zones)

A mountain range covered in purple and yellow flowers.

Central California RAC virtual meeting

The Bureau of Land Management Central California Resource Advisory Council (RAC) will meet virtually on Wednesday, June 22, from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The public is welcome to participate but must register in advance. (BLM CA News Release)

A river flows over rocks in a forest.

Join us for a Trinity River clean up

Volunteers are welcome to join us for a Trinity River Clean-up!  Anyone interested in benefitting the health and beauty of the Trinity River is welcome to join the Bureau of Land Management and partners Saturday, June 25, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Please register in advance. (BLM CA News Release)

A wooden building in a lush green forest.

Nature writing workshop at Headwaters Education Center

Mark your calendars! August 20th the Arcata Field Office is hosting a writing workshop at the Headwaters Education Center, off the Elk River Trail. Check out the Facebook event for all the details or call 707-825-2300!

Question of the Week Answer

If you answered True, you would be correct! 

A large owl in a nest.

Owls, like this Great Horned Owl, do not construct their own nests, but use natural cavities, rock ledges or nests from other birds such as Common Ravens which they usurp for their own. Female owls are larger than their male counterparts, which is true of all raptors, and will solely incubate the eggs while the male does the hunting until the chicks are old enough (feathered and fledged) to be left alone. Great Horned Owls can be found from the tip of South America all the way north to the Arctic Circle and color variation is correlated with prevailing regional humidity where the darkest populations occur in the Pacific Northwest.

Source: Birds of the World

Photo Credit: Michael Schramm/USFWS

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