Fire restrictions in effect
HOLLISTER
– Precautionary fire restrictions go into effect on Bureau of
Land Management lands in San Benito County, effective April 15.
No vehicles, campfires or open flames are allowed on BLM lands
in the Panoche, Griswold, Tumey and Ciervo Hills during the fire
restriction period.
”
A wildfire under these conditions could pose a serious threat to
public land visitors and resources, and adjacent private lands and
communities,
”
said Mario Marquez, BLM fire management officer.
The restrictions are in effect even within campsites. Portable
stoves are authorized for use with a valid state campfire permit,
but campers and picnickers are asked to be careful with their
use.
Smoking will only be allowed in enclosed vehicles or while
stopped or standing in an area cleared of flammable material for at
least three feet in diameter. Vehicles may travel on established
roads and trails that are free of vegetation that may come into
contact with the undercarriage or exhaust system of the
vehicle.
Further information about fire restrictions is available through
the Hollister BLM office at 630-5029.
Fire restrictions in effect
HOLLISTER – Precautionary fire restrictions go into effect on Bureau of Land Management lands in San Benito County, effective April 15.
No vehicles, campfires or open flames are allowed on BLM lands in the Panoche, Griswold, Tumey and Ciervo Hills during the fire restriction period.
“A wildfire under these conditions could pose a serious threat to public land visitors and resources, and adjacent private lands and communities,” said Mario Marquez, BLM fire management officer.
The restrictions are in effect even within campsites. Portable stoves are authorized for use with a valid state campfire permit, but campers and picnickers are asked to be careful with their use.
Smoking will only be allowed in enclosed vehicles or while stopped or standing in an area cleared of flammable material for at least three feet in diameter. Vehicles may travel on established roads and trails that are free of vegetation that may come into contact with the undercarriage or exhaust system of the vehicle.
Further information about fire restrictions is available through the Hollister BLM office at 630-5029.
AAA launches battery roundup
HOLLISTER – The Great Battery Roundup is under way, and the state automobile association is rounding up wayward cells through April 22.
AAA of Northern California is partnering with 117 businesses and 21 environmental nonprofits in the effort. Citizens may bring any number of old vehicle or boat batteries for recycling. The nearest recycling location is Marx Towing in Gilroy, located at 5757 Obata Way. Batteries may be dropped off from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Friday and 8 a.m.-noon on Saturdays.
In the Central Coast area, AAA will donate $2 for every battery it receives to Return of the Native Plants.
Properly recycled batteries allow more than 99 percent of the material in them to be reused. During last year’s roundup, AAA collected nearly 9,000 batteries and donated more than $17,000 to local environmental charities.
Pacheco Park celebrates milestone
LOS BANOS – The public is invited to Pacheco State Park Sunday, April 21 for its fourth annual Wildflower Day and the observance of the park’s 10th anniversary.
Activities take place from 9:30 a.m. until 3 p.m.
A daylong chuck wagon living history exhibit is planned. A great horned owl will be on hand to greet visitors and free mule wagon rides are available.
Guided nature hikes are planned, with a birding walk starting at 9:30, a wildflower hike at 10 a.m. and a history hike at noon.
Tours are open to a limited number of people, and sign-ups are first-come, first-serve on the day of the event. Self guided walks are available to all visitors.
Crafts tables and games are planned.
A barbecue will be available from noon until 3 p.m. All visitors will receive a free Pacheco State Park button.
Admission to the park is $5 per car. Visitors should bring ample water, as none is available at the park, layered clothing, sturdy footwear and sunscreen or hats.
The park is at the top of Pacheco Pass, just off the Dinosaur Point Road exit from Highway 152.
Further details are available at www.parks.ca.gov/events.
Coyote Valley wildlife forum
SAN JOSE – A community forum on the wildlife of Coyote Valley will be held Sunday, May 6 at the Almaden Library and Community Center, 6445 Camden Ave., San Jose. The forum will look at development plans in Coyote Valley, a patch of open space and farmland between San Jose and Morgan Hill.
The area is home to tule elk, mountain lions, badgers and the Bay checkerspot butterfly. Speakers at the event include Stuart Weiss, a conservation biologist, Grey Hayes, of the Elkhorn Slough Foundation, San Jose City council member Nancy Pyle and Tanya Diamond. The event is sponsored by the Committee for Green Foothills, the Greenbelt Alliance, Santa Clara Valley Audubon Society, Sierra Club Loma Prieta Chapter and the Silicon Valley Land Conservancy.
Following the forum will be a wildlife fair. For more information, visit www.greenfoothills.org/calendar.
Girl Scout summer registration
MONTEREY – Families may now register for the 2007-2008 Girl Scout membership through June 1. Membership is $10 and will be valid Oct. 1 2007 through Sept. 30, 2008. Girls who register early will get a patch.
In addition registration for summer activities is now available through the Girl Scouts of Monterey Bay Web site for San Benito, Santa Cruz and Monterey Girl Scouts. Summer activities include day camps and other events. Visit www.gsomb.org or call 633-4877 for more information on the events.
Miss Rodeo applications due
TRES PINOS – Applications for the 2007 Miss San Benito Rodeo contest are due Wednesday, April 25. Forms are available at the Bolado Park Office, Rancher’s Feed, McAbee Feed, Tres Pinos Ranch and Feed Supply, and the San Benito Chamber of Commerce.
For more information, call 628-3545.
