UKIAH
The BLM Ukiah Field Office eases fire restrictions
With cooler temperatures and measurable precipitation, effective this week the Bureau of Land Management has eased fire restrictions for public lands managed by the Ukiah Field Office in Colusa, Glenn, Lake, Marin, Mendocino, Napa, Solano, Sonoma and Yolo counties. Fire restrictions were originally initiated on June 24 to curb the threat of wildfire.
Public land visitors can again use campfires outside of developed campgrounds and posted recreation sites. Recreational target shooting may also resume in designated areas. Visitors are encouraged to check weather conditions for Red Flag Warnings and Fire Weather Watches to avoid shooting in hot, dry and windy conditions.
“Due to cooler fall weather conditions and declining fire danger, we are lifting seasonal fire restrictions,” said Ukiah Acting Field Manager Leisyka Parrott. “While weather conditions are no longer causing high fire danger, we still urge everyone to Recreate Responsibly and help minimize fire potential when visiting public lands.”
The public is reminded to remain cautious and practice good fire safety to help prevent wildland fires when recreating on public lands. Good fire-prevention safety tips include keeping vehicles off dry grass or brush; carrying a fire extinguisher, shovel and water; and getting a permit for any campfire or use of portable gas stoves. California campfire permits are available free online or at BLM, U.S. Forest Service and CAL FIRE offices.
Recreational target shooters are reminded that hot bullet fragments and exploding targets can spark a wildfire. Tracer round ammunition and incendiary devices are not allowed on BLM-managed public lands. Consider using paper targets to eliminate sparks. Recreational target shooters are required to pack out all spent shells, brass and targets. More information on safe recreational target shooting is available on the BLM website at https://www.blm.gov/programs/recreation/recreation-programs/recreational-shooting
For more information on preventing wildfires and additional tips for keeping campfires and target shooting safe, visit ReadyForWildfire.org or call the Ukiah Field Office at 707-468-4000. The field office can also provide additional information on public lands available for target shooting.
Individuals who spark wildfires, intentionally or unintentionally, can be held responsible for fire suppression and repair costs.
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LAKE COUNTY
Researchers to present program on Cormorants’ use of urban structures for nesting
Get ready for a truly fascinating program about Double-crested Cormorants featured for the Redbud Audubon Society’s Thursday, Nov. 17, Zoom program starting at 7 p.m.
Double-crested Cormorants (Phalacrocorax auritus) are seabirds known to use urban structures as nesting habitat. The old east span of the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge and the eastern portion of the Richmond-San Rafael Bridge have hosted the two largest colonies of this species in the region.
Scientists Marc Rauzon and Meredith Elliott, who have studied these birds for three decades, will discuss their research which, among other things, shows the population dynamics of this resilient species. Viewers will also learn about their efforts to study the Bay Area population of this adaptable, yet maligned, bird.
Rauzon was with the US Fish and Wildlife Service, where he studied sea birds and endangered marine mammals in Hawaii, Alaska, and California. He is also an expert on the effects of invasive animals and plants on tropical islands. His latest book Isles of Amnesia (available on Amazon) details his experiences. Rauzon is also a research associate with Point Blue and a Geography professor at Laney College in Oakland.
Elliott is a Senior Scientist at Point Blue Conservation Science and has worked on a variety of seabird monitoring and diet projects. She supervises the Point Blue marine laboratory where data on marine food webs are collected. She is a program leader with the ACCESS Program (www.accessoceans.org), an at-sea monitoring program founded by Point Blue, Greater Farallones National Marine Sanctuary, and Cordell Bank National Marine Sanctuary.
To register for the program, click go to www.redbudaudubon.org and click on the link on the home page that will take you to the registration form. Please register soon; the link will be sent the day of the program.
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