California Attack     

Bear Attack on Eldorado National Forest

New Mexico Attack     

www.youtube.com/watch?v=lTD5RsGPa3Q

Public lands managers note such incidents are on the upswing. Cheryl Carrothers, Regional Wildlife Program Leader for the USFS Pacific Southwest Region, issued an email heads up to regional forests and district rangers on July 2nd, just before the holiday weekend:

“I just wanted to make sure you were all aware.  We have had multiple incidents with bears this year and the frequency is increasing.  Please pass on our concerns to your folks and forest visitors.  Keeping safe distances between bears and humans is a priority, restricting access to food and other attractants is the primary way to ensure this happens!”

We’re posting two videos we found on YouTube below.  Obviously, the views expressed are those of the authors and not this supervisor. Confirm their methods with a ranger before you go and be prepared. And it goes without saying that if you live up here, precautions aren’t just for campers…

Remember, wild things aren’t tame. Be careful, will ya?

A FED BEAR IS A DEAD BEAR: how to take care of your food    

www.youtube.com/watch?v=mBvzvfDmzMI

SURVIVAL 101: according to Backpacker Magazine, what to do if you encounter a bear    

www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Dfd18Zfv2U

As you know from this blog, the closure of the mill (along with two other SPI mills) last year was devastating to the local economy. MANY jobs (direct and indirect) were lost here and a number of folks moved away to find work.

This is great news from an economic standpoint alone. But we have the added benefit of once again having  a local facility where forest products can be processed – important from a fire fuels management perspective. That’s major!

Thanks, SPI and TCEDA and county staff for the elbow grease it took to make this work.

Go Team Tuolumne!

***********

For Immediate Release Contact: Larry Cope, 209-989-4058

PRESS RELEASE

Sierra Pacific Industries to Retool Sawmill at Sonora: Will Create 130 Jobs

In a Joint Announcement, Sierra Pacific Industries (SPI) and the Tuolumne County Economic Development Authority (TCEDA) today announced that SPI is making a major investment in Tuolumne County by retooling its sawmill in Sonora, updating an older mill that closed there in 2009. This facility, when completed, will incorporate state-of-the-art technology to produce lumber from a wider array of log sizes than was possible under the older configuration. Remodeling of the old plant is expected to begin by mid-July, and the updated facility is planned for operation in May of 2011. This announcement does not impact the SPI cedar fencing mill in Chinese Camp, which currently employs about 80 people.

“We are investing in the future of this community,” said SPI area manager Ryan Land. “Lumber markets have improved modestly and by increasing the range of acceptable log sizes we will be able to bring family-wage jobs back to this area,” he added. SPI continues to invest in its forests and mills to grow more trees and enhance productivity while protecting the environment and creating jobs,” Land went on to say. He added that Tuolumne County Economic Development Authority director Larry Cope has worked cooperatively with SPI to retool the mill and restore jobs to the community.

The Sonora mill closed in July 2009 amid weakness in the lumber market, reduced timber harvests on nearby national forest lands, and increasing state regulatory burdens. In addition, the plant was configured to only accept larger-diameter logs. “When combined, these factors left us no choice but to close the plant,” said Land. At that time about 130 employees were affected by the closure. About that same number of employees will be hired when the retooled plant begins production in 2011.

SPI spokesman Mark Pawlicki stated, “Retooling this mill will help California meet its own demand for wood products, rather than importing lumber from faraway places with lower environmental standards.” “The time has come when more of the lumber needed in this state can be produced in California’s mills,” he added.

Retooling of the mill will be managed by Sierra Pacific Industries. It is anticipated that SPI will hire local workers to help with the project.

_____________________________________________________________________________

Sierra Pacific Industries is a third-generation family-owned forest products company based in Anderson, California. The firm owns and manages nearly 1.9 million acres of timberland in California and Washington, and is the second largest lumber producer in the United States. Sierra Pacific Industries is committed to managing its lands in a responsible and sustainable manner to protect the environment while providing quality wood products and renewable power for consumers.

The Tuolumne County Economic Development Authority (TCEDA) promotes the County of Tuolumne, including the City of Sonora, as a dynamic business location and provides business with essential information needed when locating or expanding business in the Sierra – Mother Lode Area of California.

TCEDA’s mission is to facilitate a local economy that is innovative, resilient and diverse, by assisting in business formation, developing a skilled workforce, supporting local businesses, and attracting innovative companies to Tuolumne County.

###

I was excited to learn last year that Tuolumne residents, the Brittons, would be in Chile on a homestay during the first five months of 2010. Many of you know that I lived in Santiago, Chile as a teenager and have a deep affection for the nation and its people. Boy, am I glad they went! Their timing was uncannily perfect, arriving in time for t

What follows is Holly’s exceptional account of how things are going down there. If you would like to help them reach the hidden homes and Chilean communities, please go to Holly’s Facebook page (Holly Britton) and “friend” her or watch for more info here.  You may never have a more immediate connection to Chile or opportunity to use the Brittons as your hands and feet to demonstrate compassion to Chile: a nation desperately in need.

Hope for the Hidden: An story from the Chilean Quake March 8, 2010, by Holly Britton

Until last week I’d only ever witnessed natural catastrophes on the television. In the couple of days following the 8.8 Chile quake we watched as the government, military, and international organizations rushed in to rescue victims and restore order. Within 24 hours water and electricity was restored to our neighborhood and the television news revealed the devestation. Talk about feeling helpless in the face of such tragedy. Immediately we wondered how we could possibly help?

Where does one start?! The Britton family started with prayer, then emails and phone calls to friends and contacts we have here in Chile. We received a call from Juan Tagle, describing the damage and needs of some small communities near his summer home, about 3 hours south of us. We immediately considered running supplies to the families of this devestated area. Unfortunately, grocery stores and home supply centers are carefully guarding their stocks, for fear that Chileans will hoard or resell to quake victims. A local grocer and new-found friend of Zach’s generously offered to sell us whatever we needed to help our neighbors to the south. An answer to prayer! We loaded up with oil, rice, wheat, sugar, beans, potatoes, and milk. We were able to buy quite a bit of Ibprofin and headache meds from the pharmacy. Other supplies included diapers, toilet paper, tents, and a huge roll of plastic.

Cities and towns nearest the epicenter are receiving aid first. A large percentage of the population is still without electricity or water. Firefighters comb the streets distributing water to those who can carry bottles, buckets, and cans. The small village of Moscoso, tucked into beautiful hillsides strewn with grapevines, like many others, suffer undetected with very little hope of outside aid. Multiple families collect under the roofs still remaining and endure the continuing aftershocks.

It was here we took our first load of supplies. We drove down the main street unsure of how to begin the distribution. We approached a family of 4 or 5 adults working on their broken house. We rattled off a list of things we had to offer and the woman nearest me began to cry. As suspected, they had not received any outside help and were still without water or electricity. Worse, these field laborers had not been paid since the earthquake 5 days prior, so they had very little food. We spent about 5 hours handing out tents and food and assuring them that people cared about them. We took note of some special needs and told the people we would return.

The next day, Juan visited Moscoso with more provisions. He informed us that they needed more tents and some blankets. Our friend, Meche was able to get gigantic roles of blanket fabric at a discount and Friday night we had a “blanket-making” party at our house. Two hundred warm, clean blankets for the families! Through local connections, she also found discounted boxes of candles. We loaded three trucks and our suburban with enough supplies for Moscoso and the surrounding area!

By now, word had gotten around to our friends that we found a way to help. Total, there must have been over 40 people wanting to help distribute items! We started once again on the main street of Moscoso. Then, Zach, using Google-Earth satelite imagery, began to find roofs obscurely located down narrow lanes and tucked into the hillsides. Every home we visited accepted only what they needed and were quick to point to a neighbor who could use some help. The people were kind and grateful. Wanting to show their gratitude, they would often return to our convoy with fruits or tomatoes as gifts of thanks.

Theirs is a long, hard row to hoe. But we are praying that the Lord will help us establish some way of getting more help to their little town. We envision teams of volunteers helping with clean up and maybe with the construction of small homes before the winter hits. I know that all things are possible with Christ who gives us strength, but certainly the task is daunting.

Tuolumne Cancelled, please call to schedule an appointment for an alternate day.
Weds., Mar. 3, 10:00-11:30 am, Tuolumne Parks and Recreation District Office.

Twain Harte Cancelled this month, please call to schedule an appointment for an alternate day. Weds. Mar. 10,  10-11:30 am, Twain Harte CSD Office

Mi-Wuk Village
Weds., Mar. 17, Cancelled this month, please call to schedule an appointment for an alternate day, Mi-Wuk Village Library (Little Library in the Woods).

Office hours can be scheduled in other communities and at other times, as desired. Please call Teri at 533-5525 to arrange.

1. Attend a Board meeting in Twain Harte, Tues., Feb. 9, at 6:30 pm at the Twain Harte-Long Barn Union School District Office (Telele Lodge – auditorium), 18995 Twain Harte Drive;
2. Attend a Town Hall meeting in Tuolumne on Weds., Feb. 10, at 6:30 pm at Summerville High School’s library; and/or
3. Take a survey online at www.TuolumneCounty.ca.gov.

The Board would like District 3 residents’ opinions on the following:

• What are the greatest needs within the County right now?
• What are the highest priority County services?
• What are the main issues the County should be planning for in the future?
• How should County leaders go about balancing future budgets?

County staff will draft a 5-Year Strategic Plan reflective of citizen input for Board consideration. Citizens will be asked to comment on the draft plan once completed. The Board will adopt the final 5 year strategic plan in 2010.

PRESS RELEASE

Date:               Monday, January 25, 2010; 10:00 am
Contact:          Kathleen K Rustrum, OES Coordinator, (209) 533-5511

Sonora - According to today’s report for Tuolumne County from the Forecast Desk at the National Weather Service, we are still under a Winter Storm Warning until Tuesday, January 26^th at 4 am. We expect rain to pick up in the late morning through the afternoon amounting to under 1” of precipitation in the lower elevations.

Snow is expected today from 5000’ upwards, lowering in elevation tonight to possibly as low as the 3000’ elevation, for a light dusting. Higher elevations could get as much as 1’ of new snow from this storm. We expect today to be breezy with wind gusts up to 40-50 mph at the mountain crest.  The forecast is for a shower or two tomorrow, then a drying trend through Friday, January 29^th.

Regarding power outages

Mi-Wuk Village is PG&E’s current focus with 1634 customers without power.  PG&E now has 30 crews of 4-5 persons each plus vegetation management staff in Tuolumne County working around the clock to restore power. Helicopter assessments were made over the weekend. Many pole replacements are in inaccessible areas and need to be replaced by staff hiking in and replacing poles by hand. Other poles are more accessible and more easily accessed by snow tractors.

PG&E will be re-energizing power lines in the Mi-Wuk area today at 10:30 am and should be able to further assess where power is still out later on this morning. We hope to update the community with PG&E’s action plan later on today.

Mi-Wuk Fire Station, located at 24247 Highway 108, next to Big Daddy’s Restaurant, has been turned into a warming station for those without power.  You are welcome to stay for a couple of hours or overnight as there are cots and blankets available, provided by the Red Cross.  Also, oxygen tanks are available for those who need theirs refilled. Please contact the Mi-Wuk Fire Station directly if you have this need: 209.586.5256

Tuolumne County residents and visitors are reminded to:

• Reduce or eliminate unnecessary travel during periods of severe weather.
• Have emergency supplies on hand: sandbags in flood-prone zones, food/water, flashlights, battery-operated radio, ‘live’ batteries, prescription medications, etc.
• Check in on neighbors who may be elderly or have special needs.
• Continue to prepare for the potential of more power outages due to wind, downed trees, and resultant downed power lines.
• Check to insure pets/livestock are safe, especially those animal that may live outdoors.
• Listen to your local radio stations (and TV stations) for changing weather conditions.
• And, please use 911 only when it is vitally necessary.

Sandbag Resources

County Emergency Services, in conjunction with County Public Works still has three locations for emergency sand to assist County citizens with mitigating flooding at their homes or businesses.  County residents may pick up sand at the following locations:

• Columbia Airport; Airport Rd at the edge of the paved parking lot
• The City of Tuolumne; on the corner of Baker and Birch Streets
• Jamestown Road Yard; 7^th Avenue, behind Jamestown Elementary

Please bring your own shovel and bags to fill. Empty sandbags may be purchased at any of our local hardware or ranch supply stores.

###

Wind and heavy snow knocked down trees, some of which are entangled in power lines and across roads. PG&E crews had to be called off for a time due to the numerous downed (and live) power lines. They are out in force now.

Restoring power in Tuolumne County is a #1 priority for PG&E. Some communities (Twain Harte and communities above in the Hwy 108 corridor) have been without power for several days.

PG&E has assigned 8-10 crews (of 4-5 people each) to remove trees that are entangled in power lines in District 3.

Public Works crews are working on snowplowing District 3 County roads that do not have downed trees and/or electric lines across them. But Public Works can’t move in to take care of some impacted roads until PG&E has finished its work.

If your power is out, it’s likely you won’t be able to read this but if you can, please try to be patient until PG&E and Public Works get to your area. If you have an emergency, by all means call 9-1-1.

And if you do get out, you should check on your neighbors and make sure you and they have food, water, and anything else you might need for a few more days. 

Here’s hoping the next storm won’t be quite so ferocious.

Office Hours at Li'l Library in the Woods in Mi-Wuk Village.

Kudos to some tremendous volunteers in Mi-Wuk Village – you’ve done a wonderful thing for your community!

When the county approved budget cuts last summer, the Mi-Wuk library branch was a casualty. This was a devastating blow, but volunteers rallied and promised that if the county would let them, they would continue to operate the building as a community gathering place until the county funds their library once again.

Now called the “Li’l Library in the Woods,” everytime we visit, the building hums with activity. In fact, even when it’s closed people gather in the parking lot to use their 24/7 wireless T-1 Internet connection.

Unofficial librarian Joan Henderson just forwarded some impressive stats for their first six months of operation. Keep in mind that the Li’l Library in the Woods is only open 9 hours a week. Congratulations, Mi-Wuk! You rock!

• July: (3 weeks of operation – 2 days/wk) 124 patrons, 23 kids for programs, and 15 attended adult programs;
• August: 149 patrons, 70 attended 4 adult programs, 20 kids attended 3 programs, and 10 computer users;
• September: 212 patrons, 2 children attended 1 program, 52 adults attended 4 programs, 26 computer users;
• October: 185 patrons, 7 children attended 1 program, 29 adults attended 4 programs, 23 computer users;
• November: 162 patrons, 25 children attended 2 programs, 13 adults attended 2 programs, and 23 computer users; and
• December: (storm closures on 2 days) 183 patrons, 2 children attended 1 program, 12 adults attended 2 programs, and 25 computer users.

Crane helicopters at the ready at Columbia Airport, photo: Jim Thomas, 2009.

Every summer, District 3 and Tuolumne County residents worry about the prospect of a major fire. We’ve been extremely fortunate for a number of years, but the Mt. Knight Fire now burning north of Twain Harte is a vivid reminder that big fires can and do happen here.

To keep it from escalating further, suppression activity is ferocious: crews from around the state have joined local firefighters and the aerial assault being mounted is nothing short of amazing. Fortunately, there are no major fires competing for resources and the crews are relatively fresh. We’ve got a good chance of arresting this one before it becomes a major problem.

Below are two interesting reports. The first is an update I received from Pat Kaunert, USFS Public Information Officer, on the fire’s status as of this morning. The second, a report on fire-related traffic at the Columbia Airport. I visited the airport yesterday and as the photo illustrates particularly well, the crane helicopters are gi-normous!

I’ve been sitting in on daily briefings with our Emergency Services staff, CalFire/County Fire, the Sheriff’s Office, the USFS, Animal Control, Public Works, the Red Cross, and others and if there’s one thing that stands out, it’s the professionalism and preparedness of that team.

Only one summer residence community, the subdivision of Mt, Knight is threatened and firefighters are protecting it. Animal Control has been out to make sure pets and livestock are not at risk, the Sheriff’s Office is doing a great job restricting access to the area. On that subject, it is critically important that everyone avoids the area. The forest roads out there are narrow and there is a lot of fire equipment being moved in and out. Extra traffic on the roads is dangerous for our public safety folks and anyone who doesn’t have to be out there.

Pat tells me that we can expect the fire to continue on uncontained for several days because it is burning within the steep river canyon where it would be extremely dangerous to put firefighters. The incident command has decided to run two lines perpendicular to the river canyon and so far, is keeping it contained within the canyon.

I’ll be going out on the fire line tomorrow and will have more info and some photos which I’ll post. For now, the fire is behaving pretty much as the USFS incident command expects it to. Here’s Pat’s report.

Today firefighters continue to battle the Knight Fire burning on the Stanislaus National Forest in the Middle Fork Stanislaus River Canyon. The Knight Fire is now under the Incident Command of Allen Johnson and the South Central Sierra Interagency Incident Management Team. Incident Base is located in Hess Meadow and firefighters are working hard to gain control.

The Knight fire is burning in inaccessible terrain and currently there is no estimated time of containment. Steep and rocky terrain is impacting the accessibility of the area as firefighters continue to battle extreme fire behavior and rough working conditions.

Forecasted fire weather conditions remain hot and dry over the next few days possibly creating extreme fire behavior, multiple spot fires, and torching, with no relief during the evenings as the fire continues to burn actively throughout the night.

Yesterday, good progress was made on the top end of the Knight fire as dozers continue to construct dozer lines and working on secondary lines. Secondary line construction continues north of the fire on the ridge above the Middle Fork of the Stanislaus River.

Agencies represented on the fire include United States Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, National Park Service, Kern County, CAL FIRE, Tuolumne County Emergency personnel, Tuolumne County Fire, and Tuolumne County Sheriff’s Department, Office of Emergency Services.

Here’s another report from Jim Thomas, Columbia Airport’s manager (on 7/28). The airport is quite a sight!

Things are a bit busy at Columbia Airport right now as I’m sure you can imagine. At the moment we have numerous helicopters operating out of the airport. I have closed the grass runway and we are parking the Type 1 helicopters (BIG ones, see attached picture) adjacent to the grass runway. A command center has been set up by the Forest Service and they are thinking about contacting SBC to get a hard wire telephone connection to it.

Right now there are four contract helicopter firms flying out of Columbia, each with a full crew of tenders, mechanics, fuel trucks, etc. All the groups are very cooperative. My guess is that there are between 100 and 150 people associated with the fire here.

I’m told the smoke is so bad in the canyon it has made it difficult to use fixed wing aircraft (the Cal Fire air tankers). Even the helicopters have been grounded from time to time because of the smoke. The Forest Service brought in a Cobra helicopter which is equipped with infrared sensors that allows it to fly through the smoke but it has not flown any missions yet.

We have only received one complaint so far and that came from a resident of Columbia Sky Mobile Home Park. The person said the helicopter flying over shook the entire house. I can understand this since the gross weight of the Air Cranes is around 40,000# and Columbia Sky is located in a direct line between the airport and the fire!

JULY

• Mi-Wuk Village Weds., Jul. 15, 1 pm-2:30 pm, Mi-Wuk Village Library (Please note, Mi-Wuk’s ususal office hours are held on the 3rd Fri. of each month. This is an exception due to a scheduling conflict.)

AUGUST

• Tuolumne Weds., Aug. 5, 10 am-11:30 am, Tuolumne City Memorial Museum
• Twain Harte Weds. Aug. 12, 10-11:30 am, Twain Harte CSD OfficE
• Mi-Wuk Village Fri., Aug. 21, 1 pm-2:30 pm, Mi-Wuk Village Library