For Release: Oct. 23, 2001                                               CA-N-02-4
Contact: Jeff Fontana (530) 257-5381        

BLM HORSE CORRALS REOPEN TO THE PUBLIC

Operations have returned to normal at the Bureau of Land Management's wild horse and burro corrals near Susanville, Calif., while the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) continues its probe into last week's haystack fire and discovery of incendiary devices there.

"Our crew is back to the business of preparing horses and burros for public adoption and tending to the care and feeding of more than 700 animals," said Linda Hansen, manager of the BLM's Eagle Lake Field Office.  "We are also taking actions to improve security."

An estimated $85,000 in damage was caused Monday, Oct. 15, when a fire burned 250 tons of hay and a pole barn at the facility about 20 miles northeast of Susanville.  Investigators from the FBI, federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, the California Fire Marshall's Office, Lassen County Sheriff and California Highway Patrol were called to the scene when several timer-rigged incendiary devices were discovered during the pre-dawn fire.

Explosives experts disarmed the devices and removed them.  FBI agents collected evidence and will be analyzing it as part of their investigation.  There have been no arrests.

The Litchfield Corrals, one of 11 such facilities managed by the BLM in the nation, prepares wild horses and burros for public adoption after they are removed from rangelands in BLM's work to manage wild populations.

In addition to providing horses and burros for public adoption events across the nation, the facility also arranges appointments for individuals to adopt.    More information on the management and adoption programs is available on the Internet at www.wildhorseandburro.blm.gov, or by calling toll free,  1-866-4MUSTANGS.

-BLM-

                 Eagle Lake Field Office  2950 Riverside Dr.  Susanville, CA  96130