Forest restoration is a complex issue, but progress isn’t impossible

Wildfire, land management, and forest health have been regular topics in local and national news recently. The New York Times published an article about the impacts that wildfires and climate change are having on forested landscapes across the west. The Fresno Bee responded to their readers’ questions about the Rough Fire with a story on changes in forest management over the last 100 years. MSNBC featured an Op Ed by The Nature Conservancy on current... Read More

Wildfires in California

Wildfires in California have been increasing in size and severity in recent decades. How do these recent fires compare to historical conditions in the Sierra Nevada? The following article by the Sierra Nevada Conservancy takes a look at the numbers and science behind ongoing research into wildfire behavior and impacts in the Sierra Nevada. (This was written before the Butte Fire – 70,000 + acres to be added) Read article here      Read More

California rancherias look to microgrids for power during natural disaster

Many homes and businesses went dark as firefighters battled the Butte Fire and to get the flames under control. But the lights stayed on and power kept flowing at the rancheria’s hotel and casino because of a specialized network of generators and electrical equipment that gave the rancheria temporary energy independence from the regional power grid operated by Pacific Gas and Electric. in the Sac Bee    Read More

Butte Fire Rumor Page

The county has created a “Butte Fire Rumor Page” (direct link). This page can be found on the Calaveras County Website. Example of content: One of the questions it answers is about sandbags: “Sandbags need not be filled with sand. In fact, any soil from the property will be sufficient. Bags should be filled â…“ to ½ full as over-filling bags causes them to bulge and allow water to leak... Read More

Volunteers spread straw for Butte Fire survivors

Volunteers organized by Calaveras Grown are neglecting their own orchards, bees and gardens several days a week to lay down erosion control materials and repair wells on properties damaged in the Butte Fire. Read article from Calaveras Enterprise here  Read More

Assembly Bill 142 is a compromise

Calaveras County Water District Director Dennis Mills was incorrect when he asserted the Mokelumne will become a wild and scenic river without further action. Read article here  Read More

Butte Fire Update – Calaveras County

Here’s an update from the Calaveras County Admin Office 10/19/2015 Environmental Health: • Locations of debris removal teams:  Western and Central Jesus Maria; Del Sol • Number of Debris removal teams: 6 • Hazmat sweep properties cleared: estimate of 320 properties.  (waiting to verify with EPA • Properties cleared of debris (all debris removed): 6 • Right of Entry forms submitted: 570 • Items of concern: Traffic safety;... Read More

Butte Fire Animal Assistance

CALAVERAS HUMANE SOCIETY wants to help you you ! Do you have strays or feral cats that you are feeding and need help in spaying/neutering ? Do your own pets need to be spayed/neutered ? Need some pet food or supplies ? Do you have pets in need of burn-related vet care ? MISSING PETS: If your pet is still missing after the fire, please contact Animal Services (754-6509) and local vets, and search for them on CHS Lost & Found (see website), related... Read More

Goings on at Mountain Ranch Town Hall

Here are the events happening at the MR Town Hall that are coming up in the next couple of weeks.  This may not be a complete list.  Things are getting scheduled rapidly. October 19th and 20th: 2-4 pm  Mental Health Awareness  Get educated on how to spot mental health issues and how to help.  The 20th will be a repeated of the 19th for people who couldn’t attend.  This is for people who want to be available and knowledgeable for stress... Read More

Mokelumne River bill signed into law

Studies to consider impacts of permanent protection Conservationists cheered Friday after Gov. Jerry Brown signed a bill by Assemblyman Frank Bigelow, R-O’Neals, that grants temporary protection to 37 miles of the Mokelumne River east of Pardee Reservoir. Bigelow represents Calaveras County. Read entire article  Read More