News.Bytes, Bureau of Land Management California ISSUE 780 - OCTOBER 12, 2017 - Fire - Your Public Lands - Headlines and Highlights - BLM and DOI Highlights - Wildlife Question of the Week - Upcoming Events FIRE 23 Killed in NorCal Wildfires That Destroyed 3,500 Structures; At Least 285 Missing Firefighters worked tirelessly to battle fast-spreading flames in Northern California’s wine country as the return of dangerous winds threatened to worsen the blazes that have killed 23 people. At least 285 people remain missing as the wildfires wiped out communities and scorched 170,000 acres. About 3,500 structures have been destroyed. (KTLA5 News) http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,2xxhd,3xn3,h7a5,10be,1bct,ijo3 California Fires Coverage: Fires in Sonoma and Napa Counties Grow At least 23 people have died in Northern California fires that continue to ravage multiple counties, while the Anaheim Hills fire in Southern California has scorched between 5,000 to 6,000 acres. (LA Times) http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,2xxhd,3xn3,cwnm,iulg,1bct,ijo3 One Less Spark One Less Wildfire! Please remember to place your targets on dirt or gravel. Shoot in areas free of dry vegetation—and avoid shooting on hot windy days. Bullet fragments can be extremely hot and can easily start a fire. Use safe targets. Shooting at steel targets or rocks may throw sparks into the nearby vegetation. Use paper targets or clay pigeons. (BLM California Facebook) http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,2xxhd,3xn3,ecap,kr2b,1bct,ijo3 Related: BLM restrictions (BLM website) http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,2xxhd,3xn3,dadv,irkz,1bct,ijo3 BLM Plans Prescribed Fire Projects in Shasta, Trinity, Butte Counties The Bureau of Land Management Redding Field Office has planned prescribed burning projects for this fall, winter and spring, to improve landscape health, reduce wildfire risk and to remove brush piles remaining from vegetation improvement projects. Burn dates have not been set. (BLM news release) http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,2xxhd,3xn3,7z7g,j7fq,1bct,ijo3 BLM Lifting Fire Restrictions for Lands Managed by Eagle Lake, Applegate Field Offices With the return of cooler weather and reduced wildfire dangers, the Bureau of Land Management rescinded fire restrictions on public lands managed by the Eagle Lake and Applegate Field Offices in Lassen, Modoc, Plumas, Sierra, eastern Shasta and eastern Siskiyou counties in California and in Washoe County, Nevada. Restrictions were lifted Friday, September 29. (BLM news release) http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,2xxhd,3xn3,b3n7,lw78,1bct,ijo3 BLM Lifting Fire Restrictions for Lands Managed by Ukiah and Arcata Field Offices With the return of cooler weather and reduced wildfire dangers, the Bureau of Land Management today rescinded fire restrictions on public lands managed by the Ukiah and Arcata field offices in Del Norte, Humboldt, Trinity, Mendocino, Lake, Sonoma, Napa, Yolo, Colusa, Glenn and Solano counties. The BLM is also lifting restrictions on target shooting that have been in effect since midsummer on public lands managed by the Ukiah Field Office. (BLM news release) http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,2xxhd,3xn3,9rd9,3sp9,1bct,ijo3 Reduced Fire Restrictions within Some Areas of the California Desert District The Bureau of Land Management California Desert District initiated Stage III Fire Restrictions last spring for BLM-managed public lands within Los Angeles, San Bernardino, Riverside, Imperial, Inyo, Kern and San Diego counties. As of October 5, the District is reducing fire restrictions in select areas from Stage III fire restrictions to Stage I and II levels. This decision is being made due to the changing weather conditions. (BLM news release) http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,2xxhd,3xn3,7zjy,ltvn,1bct,ijo3 YOUR PUBLIC LANDS A Natural Masterpiece: Public Lands and Homelands Long before the concept of conservation was established in the public mind, artists were traveling America’s great wilderness and bringing back images of grand vistas, unspoiled skies and diverse cultures. So it should come as no surprise that the vast beauty of America’s public lands and tribal homelands have inspired artists for centuries. In turn, these artists have often inspired and heralded conservation movements, revealing the natural and cultural beauty of America to the world. (DOI blog) http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,2xxhd,3xn3,bfa8,js30,1bct,ijo3 Thank You to 2017 National Public Lands Day Volunteers National Public Lands Day is the largest volunteer event for America's public lands. NPLD is held on a Saturday in late September when thousands of Americans volunteer to improve and enhance our nation's public lands. NPLD officially took place on Saturday, September 30, 2017. In BLM California, NPLD events will continue into the fall. (BLM California Flickr) http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,2xxhd,3xn3,i7iq,gzkt,1bct,ijo3 Get Hooked on Fishing on Public Lands and Waters Fishing is a favorite outdoor pastime for many people. Alone or with friends and family, fishing can be a fun and relaxing opportunity to enjoy the outdoors. In 2016, over 35 million people went fishing, many of them on public lands and waters. From the calm of fly fishing in a Montana stream to the thrill of sportfishing in the Gulf of Mexico, fishing is a great way to support conservation and inspire your next water-cooler story. (DOI blog) http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,2xxhd,3xn3,hve2,bnzq,1bct,ijo3 HEADLINES AND HIGHLIGHTS #FindYourWay: Old Spanish Trail Association Conference Comes to Barstow, CA The 24th annual Old Spanish Trail Association Conference was held in Barstow, California October 5 to 8, 2017, with representatives from multiple BLM offices in attendance. The Old Spanish Trail Association is a non-profit group dedicated to celebrating the history of the Old Spanish Trail, an early trade route which first connected Los Angeles, California and Santa Fe, New Mexico. The Old Spanish Trail was in use from approximately 1829 to 1848, and was designated a National Historic Trail by Congress in 2002. (BLM California Facebook) http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,2xxhd,3xn3,2phs,jfv4,1bct,ijo3 Ormat to Drill Geothermal Monitoring Well near Mammoth Lakes Crews working for Ormat Nevada, Inc. have started work on a geothermal monitoring well on an existing well pad just south of Shady Rest Park, near Mammoth Lakes. The Bureau of Land Management Bishop Field Office, in coordination with the Inyo National Forest Mammoth Lakes Ranger District, approved the installation as part of the Groundwater Monitoring and Response Plan for the Casa Diablo IV Geothermal Development Project. (BLM news release) http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,2xxhd,3xn3,6bl9,65vl,1bct,ijo3 Video: Powered by Public Lands, BLM California's Oil and Gas Program The Bureau of Land Management in California is responsible for managing one of the most productive individual onshore oil and gas leases in the lower 48 states. Hundreds of land lease holders now extract millions of barrels of oil annually from public lands in California, which cover more than 200,000 acres and 7,900 usable wells. Join us on a virtual tour of oil fields in Kern County. (BLM California YouTube) http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,2xxhd,3xn3,6t4s,7e35,1bct,ijo3 BLM AND DOI HIGHLIGHTS An Unlikely Hero in Puerto Rico Recovery Efforts Sometimes heroes have four legs. While conducting a security assessment of a closed hospital in Humacao, Puerto Rico, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service employee James Casey noticed something unusual: A small dog that would prove to be an extraordinary hero. (DOI blog) http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,2xxhd,3xn3,elwb,4ptc,1bct,ijo3 BLM Cancels 10 Million Acre Sagebrush Focal Area Withdrawal Proposal Based on a recent analysis and review of data available that showed that future mining is not a significant threat to sage grouse habitat, the Bureau of Land Management has canceled its Sagebrush Focal Area withdrawal application and the Department’s proposed withdrawal of 10 million acres of federal lands from location and entry under the mining law in Greater Sage-grouse habitat in six Western States. The BLM also terminated the associated environmental analysis process. (BLM news release) http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,2xxhd,3xn3,b9tv,6dey,1bct,ijo3 BLM Invites Public to Comment on Sage-Grouse Conservation Plans, Furthering State Collaboration Given a finding by the U.S. District Court for the District of Nevada that the Bureau of Land Management’s designation of Sagebrush Focal Areas in its 2015 greater sage-grouse plan amendment for Nevada was illegal, the Bureau today offered the public an opportunity to comment and share issues for its consideration as it explores potential amendments to greater sage-grouse land use plans, to help improve sage-grouse conservation, and to strengthen communication and collaboration between states and the federal government. The plans, which were adopted in 2014 and 2015, provide guidance and direction about the management of public lands in 10 Western states: California, Colorado, Idaho, Nevada, Oregon, Wyoming, North Dakota, South Dakota, Utah and Montana. (BLM news release) http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,2xxhd,3xn3,9kam,3gag,1bct,ijo3 Interior Welcomes Six New Hires to the Department The Department of the Interior announced the addition of six appointees to join the Department. These individuals will fill key positions throughout the Department, including in the Bureau of Land Management, the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Water and Science, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Fish, Wildlife and Parks, and the Office of Intergovernmental and External Affairs. (DOI news release) http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,2xxhd,3xn3,11ym,5gwm,1bct,ijo3 Bureau of Land Management third quarter oil and gas lease sales hit combined $170.7 million In keeping with the Administration’s goals of promoting America’s energy dominance, seven Bureau of Land Management state offices generated $170.7 million in bonus bids during their quarterly oil and gas lease sales. Among these sales, rights to a total of 218 parcels, covering 134,834.71 acres were sold. (DOI news release) WILDLIFE QUESTION OF THE WEEK Fill in the Blank (hint: 4 words) Oncorhynchus mykiss stonei aka ____________________ is the latest addition to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife’s production and release efforts. ____________________ is a unique sub-species of rainbow trout endemic to the upper McCloud River area of Shasta and Siskiyou counties of northern California. This fish has beautiful coloration and unique adult characteristics – a pronounced crimson lateral stripe, adult parr marks, relatively large black dorsal spotting, yellow-white hues on the underbelly and white-tipped fins. Keep reading for answer below. UPCOMING EVENTS Now - January: Wild Horse and Burro Adoption Events The BLM offers wild horses and burros for adoption or purchase at events across the country throughout the year. Upcoming wild horse and burro adoption events are planned into 2018. The most current adoption and purchase event schedule is provided on the BLM website. All times are in local time. Event information is shown in local time and subject to change without notice. Please call the Wild Horse and Burro Information Call Center at (866) 468-7826 for the most updated information. (BLM website) http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,2xxhd,3xn3,96ot,38qc,1bct,ijo3 Now - April 30: Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains National Monument Announces Winter Visitor Center Schedule As the Coachella Valley begins to move into the winter months, the Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains National Monument Visitor Center will initiate its winter visitor center schedule. From October 1 to April 30, 2018, the visitor center will be open five days a week from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Thursday to Monday, and close on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. (BLM news release) http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,2xxhd,3xn3,9vms,j0wi,1bct,ijo3 Save the date for a Monument night adventure on October 14! Details in above news release. October 14: Fall Wild Horse Adoption Join BLM and Sacramento County Sheriff’s Department to adopt inmate trained, saddle started mustangs on Saturday, October 14 in Elk Grove, California! (WHB website) http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,2xxhd,3xn3,8e82,7ptg,1bct,ijo3 Related: Meet the horses (BLM California Facebook) http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,2xxhd,3xn3,c2tn,j9c6,1bct,ijo3 October 16: BLM Asks Riders to Use Caution During Fort Sage Trail Repairs On October 16, the Bureau of Land Management will begin repairing fire and flood damage to trails in the Fort Sage Off-Highway-Vehicle area in southern Lassen County. The BLM is asking riders to be careful in all sections of the OHV area. (BLM news release) http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,2xxhd,3xn3,ubi,4ltk,1bct,ijo3 October 21: Annual Fall Colors Ride on Bizz Johnson National Recreation Trail The Bureau of Land Management will offer a special fall colors bike ride and bike shuttle Saturday, October 21, on the Bizz Johnson National Recreation Trail near Susanville, as a great way to get some exercise and enjoy spectacular fall colors in the forest and the Susan River Canyon. (BLM news release) http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,2xxhd,3xn3,42sg,akf6,1bct,ijo3 October 28 and November 18: National Public Lands Day Events Near Palm Springs, California BLM's Palm Springs-South Coast Field Office has a National Public Lands Day event for everyone! Save the date for five volunteer opportunities in Dulzura, Mountain Center, Morongo Valley, Desert Hot Springs and La Quinta, California. Contact the Palm Springs-South Coast Field Office at (760) 833-7100 for more information. (BLM California Facebook) http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,2xxhd,3xn3,1n9b,a8i0,1bct,ijo3 November 4: BLM Offers Point Arena-Stornetta Tours and Coastal Hike Join the Bureau of Land Management for a series of guided nature hikes along the coastal trail overlooking the Pacific Ocean at the Point Arena-Stornetta Unit of the California Coastal National Monument this fall. As stewards, the BLM manages a variety of recreation and visitor services across the nation, providing unique outdoor opportunities. The tours will focus on exploring the natural world, wildlife, native and invasive plants and teaching participants what they can do to protect habitat for endangered species, including the threatened western snowy plover and coho salmon, and endangered California red-legged frog, Point Arena mountain beaver and Behren’s silver spot butterfly. (BLM news release) http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,2xxhd,3xn3,7y52,h8vp,1bct,ijo3 November 6-9: Maintenance Scheduled for Amboy Crater Access Road The Bureau of Land Management Amboy National Natural Landmark Recreation Area will be undergoing an asphalt surface treatment, cracks repair and sealing, and pavement markings of the area’s access road and parking lots from Nov. 6 to 9. The temporarily vehicular traffic road closure will help the BLM keep public landscapes healthy and productive, while ensuring public safety and increasing project efficiency. (BLM news release) http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,2xxhd,3xn3,4ygz,lnac,1bct,ijo3 November 11-12: Fee-Free Days on BLM-managed Public Lands The unique and diverse natural landscapes and world-class visitor facilities on BLM-managed lands are among America’s greatest treasures, and most of these lands and waters are open for recreational use. Through the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act, the BLM and other Federal agencies -- including U.S. Forest Service, the National Park Service, the Bureau of Reclamation, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service -- collect recreation fees to maintain and improve the quality of visitor services and amenities. Visitors may purchase recreation passes that cover many recreation fees. On fee free days, recreation standard amenity and day use fees on Bureau of Land Management lands are waived. (BLM website) http://www.elabs10.com/ct.html?ufl=0&rtr=on&s=x8pbwi,2xxhd,3xn3,lfe3,ayzr,1bct,ijo3 WILDLIFE QUESTION OF THE WEEK ANSWER Oncorhynchus mykiss stonei aka McCloud River Redband Trout is the latest addition to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife’s production and release efforts. McCloud River Redband Trout is a unique sub-species of rainbow trout endemic to the upper McCloud River area of Shasta and Siskiyou counties of northern California. This fish has beautiful coloration and unique adult characteristics – a pronounced crimson lateral stripe, adult parr marks, relatively large black dorsal spotting, yellow-white hues on the underbelly and white-tipped fins. (CDFW science spotlight) News.Bytes is a publication of the Bureau of Land Management California. Bureau of Land Management California State Office 2800 Cottage Way, Suite W1623 Sacramento, Ca 95825 (916) 978-4600 www.blm.gov/ca/
