MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT-EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR - June 2009
WRA SAN MARCOS PASS INTERACTIVE MAP

Fireworks not Allowed in Los Padres National Forest

GOLETA, CA. - Forest Service officials are reminding Los Padres National Forest visitors that the possession or use of fireworks, including the "safe and sane" variety, is strictly prohibited in the forest at all times. Rangers patrolling the forest will strictly enforce the "no fireworks" law.

A violation of the law could result in a $5,000 fine and/or six months in jail. Also, anyone causing a wildfire is liable for all costs associated with suppressing the fire.

The Forest Service asks all forest visitors to take the following precautions to prevent wildfires:

Contact the Ranger Station nearest your destination to obtain information on current conditions and get a California Campfire Permit.

Campfires are currently permitted only in Campfire Use Sites and must be attended at all times.

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. 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 permitted in areas at least three feet in diameter that are barren or have been cleared of all flammable materials.

Operating internal or external combustion engines requires a properly installed, maintained in effective working order and approved spark
arresters.

The use of open flame fire in the forest generally becomes more restricted as the vegetation and the weather becomes hotter and dryer.

Make sure your campfires in the Campfire Use Sites is "dead out" prior to leaving, by adding water and stirring until ashes are cold.

Avoid parking vehicles on grass, as hot engines can ignite dry vegetation.

Report any suspicious activity to the nearest Forest Service Officer or Ranger Station. To report a fire or other emergency, call 911.

A NEW WRA WEBSITE WILL BE HERE SOON

The WRA is working on updating and modernizing this website. A new look and improved automation is on the way. Some of these changes will be obvious, others will be in the process. It is our hope to improve the look, access and content to provide a better service to you the reader. The Community Alert section will allow for the listening of any previous show on-line. More than ever, the need for a reliable website is critical to the WRA mission. We hope to be done by late July 2009.

Congresswoman Lois Capps
23rd District of California
www.house.gov/capps

Capps to Highlight Critical Funding for Fire Hazard Reduction
$267,500 in Funding from the United States Forest Service to Pay for Brush Clearing and Other Preventive Efforts in Rural Mountain Communities

SANTA BARBARA, C.A. - Congresswoman Lois Capps and other local officials will attend a briefing with the Wildland Residents Association (WRA) to discuss the latest funding and fire prevention efforts from 11:00 am - 12:00 pm, 2550 Painted Cave Road, Santa Barbara, CA. The United States Forest Service (USFS) recently announced that they were awarding $267,500 to the Wildland Residents Association for hazard reduction efforts. The Wildland Residents Association administers the San Marcos Pass Volunteer Fire Department and the San Marcos Pass Emergency Radio Station. One of the Wildland Resident Association's recent projects was the reopening of a long-neglected road, which was credited with saving the Painted Cave Community above Highway 154 during the Jesusita Fire.

COMMUNITY ALERT
NOT IF, BUT WHEN
Positive Preparation for Disaster

KZSB-AM 1290
Santa Barbara News Press Radio
LIVE WEB STREAM HERE
PROGRAM SCHEDULE HERE

Community Alert airs on Tuesday, 11 AM and 9 PM and again on Saturdays at 1 PM.

This week Kevin and Kareen Hart talk about the loss of their home and the rebuilding process from the Tea Fire.

Community Alert is a collaborative effort between the WRA and the Santa Barbara County Fire Safe Council. If you have any issues you would like to have discussed on the show, please Email us at community@wildlandresidents.org If you are interested in supporting Community Alert, please give us a call at 964-4735 for further information.
Fire Restrictions in Los Padres National Forest will begin June 19, 2009

Beginning June 19, 2009 and until the close of high fire season, the following restrictions will be in effect:

No open fires, campfires or charcoal fires will be permitted outside of developed recreation sites or designated Campfire Use Sites, even with a valid California Campfire Permit. Lanterns and portable stoves using gas, jellied petroleum or pressurized liquid fuel will be permitted, but only with a valid California Campfire Permit (available free-of-charge at any Forest Service office). Forest visitors must clear all flammable
material for five feet in all directions from their camp stove, have a shovel available, and ensure that a responsible person attends the stove at all times when it is in use.

No smoking, except while stopped in an area at least three feet in diameter that is barren or cleared of all flammable material.

Internal combustion engines may be operated only on roads or designated trails. This restriction is in effect year-round. Please make sure your engine is tuned, operating properly and has an approved spark arrester.

Forest Supervisor Peggy Hernandez cited dry conditions and recent erratic fire behavior observed during the Jesusita Fire in her decision to limit the usage of open flame fire in the forest. "Unfortunately, we have already experienced an early season wildfire which demonstrated just how volatile conditions are," explained Hernandez.

For a list of Developed Recreation Sites and Campfire Use Sites in Los Padres National Forest, or further information regarding Fire-Safe Camping, contact one of the Forest Service offices listed below, or visit the Los Padres National Forest website here.

Forest Supervisor's Office - 805-968-6640

Santa Barbara Ranger District - 805-967-3481

Forest Service Developed Sites in Los Padres National Forest where Campfires and Barbecues Are Permitted: Santa Barbara Ranger District, Cachuma Campground, Falls Day Use Area, First Crossing Day Use Area, Fremont Campground, Live Oak Day Use Area, Los Prietos Campground, Lower Oso Day Use Area, Middle Santa Ynez Campground, Mono Campground, P-Bar Flat Campground, Paradise Campground, Red Rock Day Use Area, Rock Camp, Sage Hill Campground, Upper Oso Campground and White Rock Day Use Area