Category Archives: National Forests

Activities, National Forests

Public invited to Eldorado National Forest Open House to discuss Off-Highway Vehicle grant applications

Posted on by Shawn E. Bell

From USDA / Forest Service – The Eldorado National Forest will be submitting applications for Off Highway Vehicle (OHV) Cooperative Funds for the upcoming 2015/2016 grant cycle.  The Forest is developing preliminary applications to the Off Highway Motor Vehicle Recreation (OHMVR) Division which includes a strong emphasis on trail maintenance and repair, law enforcement across the four Ranger Districts, printing and distribution of the Motor Vehicle Use Maps, restoration of impacted areas, planning, and education.

As your ideas are important for developing our proposals, the Forest will be hosting an Open House on February 10 from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM to discuss the proposed preliminary grant applications.  This Open House will be held at the Eldorado National Forest Supervisor’s Office, 100 Forni Road, Placerville, CA 95667.  You can call (530) 622-5061 for directions.

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National Forests, National Parks

Welcome to National Public Lands Day!

Posted on by Shawn E. Bell

Today is National Public Lands Day! Entry fees are waived in most of the national parks and national forests, so you won’t have to pay for day use areas – visitor centers, picnic areas, trailheads, etc.

You’ll still get o pay for concessions, camping, rentals, and other services. Check with your local national forest or park for specific information on the park you plan on visiting.

You can find out more about national parks, forests, wildernesses and other areas managed but the National Parks Service HERE.

Get outdoors and enjoy the day!

National Forests, National Parks

Every Kid in a Park Program Launches

Posted on by Shawn E. Bell

The National Parks Service has launched the “Every Kid in a Park” program, which offers a free annual pass to all fourth grade students and their families to visit more than 2,000 federal recreation areas, including America’s national parks.

Beginning today, any currently enrolled fourth grade student can visit www.everykidinapark.gov, finish an activity on the website and get a voucher. Parents and the student can redeem the voucher at any national park for an Every Kid in A Park pass. The pass is valid from September 1, 2015 through August 31, 2016.

“A primary focus of the National Park Service’s Centennial celebration is to connect young people with national parks and engage the next generation of stewards for America’s treasured places,” stated Yosemite National Park Superintendent Don Neubacher. “We are excited about this opportunity for students and their families to come to Yosemite and experience their national park.”

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National Forests, National Parks

Happy Birthday National Park Service!

Posted on by Shawn E. Bell

“…Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That there is hereby created in the Department of the Interior a service to be called the National Park Service, which shall be under the charge of a director, who shall be appointed by the Secretary and who shall receive a salary of $4,500 per annum. There shall also be appointed by the Secretary the following assistants and other employees at the salaries designated: One assistant director, at $2,500 per annum; one chief clerk, at $2,000 per annum; one draftsman, at $1,800 per annum; one messenger, at $600 per annum; and, in addition thereto, such other employees as the Secretary of the Interior shall deem necessary: Provided, That not more than $8,100 annually shall be expended for salaries of experts, assistants, and employees within the District of Columbia not herein specifically enumerated unless previously authorized by law. The service thus established shall promote and regulate the use of the Federal areas known as national parks, monuments, and reservations hereinafter specified by such means and measures as conform to the fundamental purpose of the said parks and reservations, which purpose is to conserve the scenery and the natural and historic objects and the wild life therein and to provide for the enjoyment of the same in such manner and by such means as will leave them unimpaired for the enjoyment of future generations…”

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Big Bear Lake, National Forests, Wildfire, Wildlife

Summit Fire burning south of Big Bear Lake

Posted on by Shawn E. Bell

A fire now named the Summit Fire is burning in the San Bernardino National Forest near Forest Service Road 2N08 (to the south of the city of Big Bear Lake and west of the Snow Summit ski resort).

The fire appears to have started near Pine Knot Avenue and Knickerbocker Road around 12:30 p.m. Within an hour, the fire had grown to more than 10 acres, according to the San Bernardino County Fire Department. At last report, it had grown again to between 20 and 25 acres.  It has a moderate rate of spread, and is being fueled by moderate to heavy forest growth.

There are mandatory evacuations for the area from Knickerbocker Road east to Georgia Road and south of Pennsylvania Road to the forest boundary.

08/24/15 Update (from InciWeb):

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