Firefighters in the Los Padres National Forest are launching a series of prescribed burns over the next several months to get rid of brush on the Mount Pinos Ranger District.
That area includes a small portion of Santa Barbara County.
Firefighters will be burning piles of brush that have already been cut down.
The prescribed burns could start as early as Monday.
The burns are taking place near the Pine Mountain Club, Frazier Park, and Lake of the Woods.
At last count, there were eight states that participate in the National Christmas Tree Program and sell permits that allow residents to cut their own tree. In California, specifically, there are several national forests that issue Christmas Tree permits.
From the Men’s Journal:
Retailers will tell you that the holiday season begins on Thanksgiving, but for many Americans it begins on the day they get their Christmas tree. The tree is a houseguest destined to stay through December (and a bit of January if folks are feeling lazy) and be introduced to family and friends. As such, it’s best if you know where your tree comes from and feel comfortable talking about how you met. The best place to find a tree with a bit of personality? One of the country’s many National Forests, which open to tree-seekers every December. According to Jane Leche, Colorado’s Front Range Christmas Program Coordinator, the best part of finding your coniferous Christmas buddy on public land is that you’ll actually be doing a public service. Still, the process can be a bit complicated.
“People have been cutting down trees on public land since day one, but you can’t just wander out there and start cutting anymore,” says Leche, who estimates that 30,000 people participate in the program. “You have to have a permit and know the cutting area – get all the information – and be familiar with the process.”
You can read the entire article HERE.
You can find out more about California’s Christmas Tree Permit program HERE.
From the USDA Blog:
Earlier this year, approximately 80 people oohed and ahhed as meteors streaked across the sky from all directions over Shasta Lake during the Perseid meteor showers. In partnership with the Shasta Astronomy Club, the Shasta-Trinity National Recreation Area provided visitors with expert information on celestial objects and events and a guided tour through the night sky.
This weekend, you have an opportunity to do the same when the 2013 Leonid meteor shower peaks on the night of Saturday, Nov. 16 into the early morning hours of Sunday, Nov. 17. According to NASA, Leonids are bits of debris from Comet Tempel-Tuttle. Every 33 years the comet visits the inner solar system and leaves debris in its wake. Many of these have drifted across the November portion of Earth’s orbit. Whenever our planet hits one, meteors appear to be flying out of the constellation Leo. Unfortunately for meteor watchers, this year a full moon will likely wash out all but the very brightest Leonids.
Last August, the dark night skies along the shores of California’s Shasta Lake provided the perfect backdrop for the annual Perseid meteors which put on a dazzling display of shooting stars each year. At times, 50 to 100 meteors streaked across the sky in an hour. Shasta-Trinity National Recreation Area staff compiled a list of sightings to contribute to NASA’s ongoing tracking for this meteor shower.
Apparently I’ve been going to the wrong forests; I NEVER leave any of the places I hike in looking for Cheetos and pizza! I guess I’d better head up to Inyo!
From the USFS website:
The Inyo National Forest and the Bishop Field Office of the BLM seek to provide a safe environment for the public, its employees, and natural resources. So while only a fraction of our public lands are affected by illegal marijuana cultivation, the agencies believe that safety risks are real and visitors and employees should be informed about them.
“The safety of public land visitors and our employees is our top priority,” said Forest Supervisor Ed Armenta. “Marijuana cultivation does occur on some public lands. It’s important for people to understand that they need to be aware of their surroundings.”
Beginning today, Christmas tree permits will be available from the Mendocino National Forest for the 2013 holiday season.
Permits are available for purchase in person or by mail from Mendocino National Forest offices, as well as at area vendors. Vendors are listed below with contact information for the Forest Service.
Permits are $10 per tree at Forest Service offices. Customers are advised to call vendors to verify permit price and availability. The permits will be sold at Forest Service offices through Monday, December 23. Trees may be cut and removed any day of the week in authorized areas of the Mendocino National Forest. Please check current Forest fire closure areas in case your annual tree cutting spot is within the closure.
There is a limit of one permit per household, with each permit using a valid name and address. Up to four additional permits may be purchased for additional households, using separate names and addresses. Individuals must be 18 or older to purchase a permit. All Christmas tree permit sales are final, with no refunds. Permittees will receive a tree tag and Forest map.
