News.bytes Extra, issue 467

Fire facility (solar) powers up

The Bureau of Land Management's new Hidden Valley fire facility near Susanville has gone green!  Crews have completed installation and powered up a new solar voltaic electrical system that can provide up to 80 percent of the building's electrical needs. (text continues below)

Robert Chambers, of Johnson Controls, second from left, explains the functions of the new system.  Listening are, from left, Telecommunications Specialist Bob Madsen, Assistant NorCal District Fire Management Officer Mark Beterbide, NorCal Fire Management Officer Paul Whitcome and Diamond Mountain Hotshots Superintendent Dan Varney.

The solar array contains 120 panels producing more than 200 volts of electricity.  It features a fiber optic monitoring system and cameras for remote monitoring.

The Hidden Valley facility, opened last year, is headquarters for the Diamond Mountain Interagency Hotshot Crew.  It has space for crew vehicles, offices and work areas.

- Jeff Fontana, BLM Northern California District, 2/2/11

BLM-California News.bytes, issue 467 - -- To subscribe to News.bytes, send an e-mail to: mailto:Join-Newsbytes@List.ca.blm.gov OR visit our News.bytes subscription page.