Fire officials planning ahead

As fire season comes to a close, public safety groups are already diligently planning for the chance of disaster.

The Bureau of Land Management, the Carson Ranger District of the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest and the Nevada Division of Forestry announced that fire restrictions in western Nevada expired at 12:01 a.m. this morning.

Decreasing daily sunlight, increased fuel moisture levels and cooler temperatures are all factors in lifting the restriction.

People who want to build campfires on Carson and Bridgeport Ranger Districts of the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest still need to obtain campfire permits.

In the meantime, the Carson Ranger District is planning a fuel break on 100 acres west of the community of Clear Creek, north of Clear Creek Road and south of Highway 50.

Carson Ranger District fuel specialist Bob Jiron said the project will begin when federal funding - approximately $40,000 - comes through by fiscal year 2006.

"This project would complement the work that is being done by the Nevada Division of Forestry and homeowners to help protect their community from a catastrophic wildfire," said Carson District ranger Gary Schiff.

A 400-foot wide area along the eastern and southern boundaries of the project would be created by removing 80 percent of the dead brush and many of the small trees.

In the rest of the area, 60 percent of the brush and trees will be removed in a mosaic pattern to reduce the risk of a wind-driven fire jumping into tree crowns and spreading to nearby houses.

The BLM, Carson City Fire Department and Sierra Pacific Power Co. are developing a comprehensive, 200-acre fuel thinning and removal project for the Pinion Hills and Mexican Dam residential areas.

A public meeting on the BLM project is 6-7 p.m. Monday at the BLM Carson City Office, 5665 Morgan Mill Road.

For ideas and suggestions about the Clear Creek fuel-break project, send a letter by Oct. 25 to project leader Douglas Booth, Carson Ranger District, 1536 S. Carson Street, Carson City, NV. 89701.

For more information about the Clear Creek project, call 882-2766.

GET INVOLVED IN FIRE SAFETY

• For suggestions about the Clear Creek fuel-break project, send a letter by Oct. 25 to project leader Douglas Booth, Carson Ranger District, 1536 S. Carson Street, Carson City, NV. 89701.

• For more information about the Clear Creek project call 882-2766.

IF YOU GO

What: Public meeting on the BLM fuel-treatment project for the Pinion Hills and Mexican Dam areas

When: 6-7 p.m. Monday

Where: BLM Carson City Office, 5665 Morgan Mill Road

Contact reporter Robyn Moormeister at rmoormeister@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1217.