Tag: LPNF

USFS – LPNF Volunteer Opportunity

NEWS RELEASE

Los Padres National Forest
For Immediate Release
Contact: Andrew Madsen (805) 961-5759
Twitter: @LosPadresNF

Volunteers Wanted for Los Padres Preservation Project

GOLETA, CA, March 5, 2014….Los Padres National Forest officials today announced the Monterey Ranger District is seeking volunteers to work in an exciting archaeology program. Applications are being accepted for “Partners in Preservation” site stewards. The deadline for submitting your application is March 17.

To qualify as a “Partners in Preservation” volunteer, applicants are required to complete a 2-day training workshop. The next workshop will be held Saturday, April 5, and Sunday, April 6. Training will take place April 5 at the Monterey Ranger District office in King City, followed by training in the field April 6.

This training is sponsored by the Ventana Wilderness Alliance and will be led by the Society for California Archaeology through its California Archaeological Site Stewardship Program with the assistance of Los Padres National Forest staff.

Additional volunteer opportunities on the Monterey Ranger District are available on an individual basis.

For additional information on the “Partners in Preservation” program or for other archaeology volunteer opportunities, contact North Zone Archaeologist Bob Strickland by phone at (831) 385-5434, extension 20771, or by email at rnstrickland@fs.fed.us.

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LPNF ELEVATES FIRE RESTRICTIONS

Los Padres National Forest Elevates Fire Restrictions

GOLETA, CA…Due to extremely dry vegetation and an increasing fire danger, Los Padres National Forest officials today announced that Level IV fire restrictions will go into effect beginning today, July 23, 2013. The following restrictions will be rigorously enforced until the end of the declared fire season:

Wood and charcoal fires are prohibited in all areas of Los Padres National Forest including designated Campfire Use sites; however persons with a valid California Campfire Permit are allowed to use portable stoves and lanterns using gas, jellied petroleum or pressurized liquid fuel within the designated Campfire Use Sites only. California Campfire Permits are available for free download from the Los Padres National Forest website (http://www.fs.usda.gov/lpnf). You must clear all flammable material for a distance of five feet in all directions from your camp stove, have a shovel available, and ensure that a responsible person attends the stove at all times when it is in use.

Recreational target shooting is prohibited in all areas of the National Forest unless specifically authorized by a special use permit with the Forest; however, hunting with a valid State of California hunting license during open hunting season is exempt from this restriction.

Smoking is prohibited in all areas of the national forest except within an enclosed vehicle, building, or designated Campfire Use Site.

Fireworks are prohibited at all times and in all locations within Los Padres National Forest.

Operating or using any internal or external combustion engine without a spark arresting device properly installed, maintained and in effective working order on roads and trails specifically designated for such use. (This restriction is in effect year-round.)

For further information regarding current conditions and safety tips, contact your nearest Forest Service office or visit the Los Padres National Forest website at http://www.fs.usda.gov/lpnf.

Fourth of July in the Los Padres National Forest

Los Padres Urges Fourth of July Visitors to Exercise Caution

GOLETA, CA…Los Padres National Forest officials are reminding Fourth of July visitors that the possession or use of fireworks—including the “safe and sane” variety—is strictly prohibited in the forest at all times. Rangers and law enforcement officers patrolling the forest will be strictly enforcing the ban on July 4 and throughout the long weekend.
With the forest in Level III Fire Restrictions, recreational target shooting is also prohibited unless specifically authorized under a special use permit. Under current fire restrictions, campfires are permitted in Campfire Use Sites only. Campfires must be attended at all times by a responsible adult with a shovel and adequate supply of water to douse the fire. Forest officials strongly encourage visitors to take into account local weather conditions when deciding whether to have a campfire. A cooking fire within a day-use site on the Santa Barbara Ranger District caused the White Fire on Memorial Day when variable winds increased and pushed embers from the barbeque into nearby dry grass.

“We all have a responsibility when visiting the forest to take the appropriate steps to avoid a wildfire,” said Los Padres Forest Supervisor Peggy Hernandez. “This year has been extremely dry, and with hot temperatures in the forecast it is prudent to consider leaving the campfires for another time.”

Lanterns and portable stoves using gas, jellied petroleum or pressurized liquid fuel are permitted outside of Campfire Use Sites, but only with a valid California Campfire Permit. Permits are available free-of-charge at any Forest Service office or online at http://www.fs.usda.gov/lpnf . All flammable materials within a distance of five feet from camp stoves must be cleared and a responsible person with a shovel must attend the stove at all times while it is in use.
Smoking is prohibited in all areas of the national forest except within an enclosed vehicle, building, or designated Campfire Use Site. Operating internal or external combustion engines requires a properly installed spark arrester, maintained. Avoid parking vehicles on grass as hot engines can ignite dry vegetation.

Know Before You Go by contacting the nearest Ranger Station for the latest conditions and updates.

Auto Accident

One car, right around Plaskett Ridge Rd. managed to get itself stuck up an embankment, partially blocking southbound lane.

Detail Information
4:32 PM 12 [27] A27-014 1148 2 MALES 1 X TO LOS PADRES FIRE PACIFIC VALLEY BM 138 WILL 1021 HERTZ F/ANOTHER RENTAL
4:19 PM 11 [26] 1039 CAMBRIA 1020
3:41 PM 10 [20] 1039 CAMBRIA ETA 90 MINS
3:38 PM 9 [18] [Rotation Request Comment] 1039 CAMBRIA TOW 805-927-4357
3:37 PM 8 [17] PARTIALLY BLOCKING SB LANE
3:36 PM 7 [16] [Notification] [CHP]-[15] CKING FOR 1185 W/LOS PADRES FIRE
3:36 PM 6 [15] CKING FOR 1185 W/LOS PADRES FIRE
3:36 PM 5 [14] 14 CPZ ALL 1185
3:35 PM 4 [12] 14 INQ IF EQUIP STILL ROLLING AND WILL 1185 BE NEEDED
3:35 PM 3 [11] [Notification] [CHP]-[10] FIRE 1097 / 1182 / BLOCKING
3:35 PM 2 [10] FIRE 1097 / 1182 / BLOCKING
3:31 PM 1 [5] [Notification] [CHP]-MTY COMM TOOK ANOTHER CALL ADVS 1182 30 MILES JNO HEARST CASTLE SIL SUV STUCK ON EMBANKMENT NEAR TREE

WildCAD says this is by Plaskett Ridge Rd. LPNF sure has been busy this afternoon!

White Fire, Day 2

2:30 pm – from wildlandfire:
“The White Fire appears to be taking off based upon this image from the only live streaming webcam I have found of the fire: http://levi.maaia.com/live-weather-data/#cam

This is the first time today smoke has been visible from this view… it has changed rather dramatically fast… according to various reports the fixed-wing have been pulled off the fire due to high winds.”

From this morning’s inciweb:

Incidents > California > Los Padres National Forest > White Fire
White Fire

Approximate Location

34.543 latitude, -119.801 longitude
Map data ©2013 Google – Terms of Use
Hybrid
Terrain
Incident Overview

The White Fire started Monday, May 27, 2013 at approximately 2:45 pm. Currently the fire has burned 1,800 acres and is threatening 50 residence, 5 commerical properties and 50 outbuildings and other structures. The fire is 10% contained. Paradise Road was evacuated yesterday afternoon. According to Sheriff Department officials, two to three thousand people were evacuated. A structure protection group is in place along Paradise Road. There is a hard closure of Paradise Road starting at the Forest Service kiosk. Today there will be 6 air tankers, 2 air attacks and 4 helicopters conducting aerial attack. The fire went through Sage Hill Campground but the damage is unknown at this time. The fire also went through the Forest Service compound and damaged one building and one privately owned vehicle and destroyed another.
Cooperating agencies include: US Forest Service, Santa Barbara County, Santa Barbara City, Carpinteria/Summerland Fire, Montecito Fire, Lompoc Fire, Santa Maria City Fire, Chumash Fire, Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Department, Santa Barbara County Search and Rescue, California Highway Patrol and the American Red Cross.
Resources currently assigned to the fire include: 13 crews, 45 engines, 4 dozers, 4 water tenders, 3 patrols and 80 overhead.

Basic Information
Incident Type Wildfire
Cause Under Investigation
Date of Origin Monday May 27th, 2013 approx. 02:30 PM
Location Santa Barbara
Incident Commander Mark Nunez
Current Situation
Total Personnel 563
Size 1,800 acres
Percent Contained 10%
Estimated Containment Date Monday June 03rd, 2013 approx. 12:00 AM
Fuels Involved
Chaparral, grass, brush and oak trees
Fire Behavior
Fire remains active on the north and east flanks.
Significant Events
A closure remains in effect for Paradise Road and the lower Santa Ynez recreation area involving multiple trails and campgrounds.
Outlook
Planned Actions
Continue suppression and begin mop up.
Growth Potential
Extreme
Terrain Difficulty
Extreme
Remarks
California Central Coast Incident Team 7 (Nunez) will assume command of the incident at 6:00 am today. Red Cross Evacuation Center is set up at the Wake Center, located at 300 North Turnpike, Goleta, CA. Large animal shelter is set up at the Earl Warren Showgrounds, Santa Barbara, CA. There were approximately 1,000 day use visitors and campers evacuated yesterday. The evacuation remains in effect.
Current Weather
Wind Conditions 25 mph NE
Temperature 78-84 degrees
Humidity 28%
UNIT INFORMATION

Los Padres National Forest
U.S. Forest Service
6755 Hollister Avenue
Suite 150
Goleta, CA 93117
INCIDENT CONTACTS
Andrew Madsen
Phone: 805-895-0841 ext. 759
more contacts »
INCIDENT COOPERATORS
Montecito Fire Department
San Luis Obispo County Roads Dept.
Santa Barbara City Fire Department
Santa Barbara County Fire
Santa Barbara County Sheriffs Department

Snow expected today

20130110-090007.jpg

The above photo was taken up on Long Ridge by Zachary.

20130110-080052.jpg

7:30 am – there is a light dusting of snow already, but more coming. Check out that blue making its way down the Big Sur coast!

I woke early, and checked the temp, 30 degrees, checked outside, and saw stars, checked online, and found this:

20130110-044922.jpg

Strategic Community Fuel Break Improvement Project

Dear All-

The USFS will be conducting a scoping meeting to gather public input on proposed actions in the Monterey District of the Los Padres National Forest. The proposed action, known as the “Strategic Community Fuel Break Improvement Project” is entering the first phase of the NEPA (National Environmental Policy Act) process towards implementation. Although there are some specifics as to the geographical area to be treated and some basic ideas of how the proposed work may be executed, this meeting will allow interested parties the opportunity to weigh in with their support or concern and to offer up specific recommendations to USFS representatives in context with this project.

The Strategic Community Fuel Break Improvement Project is the product of a collaborative process that invited stakeholders from the environmental / wilderness community, biologists, fire science professionals, Native Americans, Agency land managers and resident Property Owners in an effort to protect and enhance the natural, precious world we live in while at the same time, engaging in sensible, wildfire pre-suppression treatments using an “all lands” approach. This process was sponsored by the USFS and facilitated by the Nature Conservancy utilizing the Open Standards for Conservation guide. This guide stresses the importance of a results oriented, adaptive strategy for managing lands on a “landscape wide level”.

Please make some time to drop by the Big Sur Multi Agency Facility conference room from 5:30 PM to 7:30 PM on Thursday, December 6th and express your opinion on the proposed actions.

Click on Scoping Document and Project Vicinity Map to download these documents that you should read prior to the meeting.

Sincerely,
Butch

Butch Kronlund
CPOA

Controlled Burn at FHL no longer controlled?

Sat. Update – no plumes, and no wind to speak of. That is a good thing.

For DAYS we have had lots of smoke, due to a controlled burn in Stoney Valley. Finally, it is being reported as a wildfire. WildCAD-LPNF reported a dispatch of BC 12 and Engines 15 and 16 at 1747 hours. It is in the Hay Camp area. I will be following this, of course. The good news is there is no column I can see.

Fire Restrictions in effect

On June 26, 2010, the Goleta office of the Los Padres National Forest issued its 2010 Fire Restrictions order. NO OPEN CAMPFIRES ALLOWED in the National Forest, outside designated, developed campsites, like Plaskett and Kirk Creek. YAY!!

Here is the order issued:

ORDER NO. 10-3-5100-3
FIRE USE RESTRICTIONS
LOS PADRES NATIONAL FOREST
Pursuant to 16 USC 551 and 36 CFR 261.50(a), and to provide for public safety and protect natural resources, the following acts are prohibited within the Los Padres National Forest. This Order is effective from June 26, 2010, through the end of the official 2010 fire season.
1. Building, maintaining, attending or using a fire or campfire, except in the designated Campfire Use Sites listed in Exhibit A. 36 CFR 261.52(a).
2. Smoking, except in an area at least three feet in diameter that is barren or cleared of all flammable material. 36 CFR 261.52(d).
3. Operating or using any internal or external combustion engine without a spark arresting device properly installed, maintained and in effective working order. 36 CFR 261.52(j).
Pursuant to 36 CFR 261.50(e), the following persons are exempt from this Order.
1. Persons with a permit from the Forest Service specifically authorizing the otherwise prohibited act or omission.
2. Persons with a valid California Campfire Permit are not exempt from the prohibitions listed above. However, persons with a valid California Campfire Permit may use portable lanterns or stoves using gas, jellied petroleum, or pressurized liquid fuel outside of a designated Campfire Use Site.
3. Any Federal, State or local officer, or member of an organized rescue or fire fighting force in the performance of an official duty.
These prohibitions are in addition to the general prohibitions in 36 CFR Part 261, Subpart A.
A violation of these prohibitions is punishable by a fine of not more than $5,000 for an individual or $10,000 for an organization, or imprisonment for not more than six months, or both. 16 USC 551 and 18 USC 3559, 3571, and 3581.
Done at Goleta, California this 25th day of June, 2010.
/s/ Peggy Hernandez
Peggy Hernandez
Forest Supervisor
Los Padres National Forest