For Release: December 8, 2005
Contact: Dale Johnson 760-872-5055
CCal-06-16

BLM Completes Fuels Reduction Work in Antelope Valley

BLM recently completed fuels reduction work at several locations in the Antelope Valley. Bishop Field Manager Bill Dunkelberger said work was finished in Little Antelope Valley, on the north side of the U.S. Marine Corps housing area, along the west side of Topaz, and an area near the junction of Highway 395 and State Route 89.

The fuels reduction work helps protect residents and their homes from wildland fires and increases safety for firefighters working to suppress fires that may threaten Antelope Valley communities. The completed project also protects and improves valuable mule deer winter range.

Dunkelberger further announced areas to be treated in 2006 are BLM managed lands adjoining private property near Pinyon Place homes, Patricia Lane, Camp Antelope Clinic and Camp Antelope.

BLM uses a variety of mechanical treatments to thin pinyon pine and mow brush to reduce the amounts of flammable vegetation. Dunkelberger stated that typically, a 100 to 150 foot strip of vegetation immediately adjacent to homesites and communities is fully treated to create defensible space for firefighter safety. Further away from private property, treatment is less intense and serves to create a more discontinuous fuels condition.

For more information on this project, contact Dale Johnson, fuels planner for the BLM Bishop field office, at (760) 872-5055.

-BLM-

Bishop Field Office - 351 Pacu Lane, Suite 100 - Bishop, CA 93514