News.bytes Extra, issue 557

Nevada Congressman Amodei Tours Lost Fire Area

Congressman Mark Amodei of Nevada’s second district toured public lands burned in the Lost Fire and discussed restoration plans with members of the Surprise Field Office staff on Monday, Nov. 5.  The fire was entirely on Washoe County lands that are part of the congressman’s district.

Congressman Amodei, left, and BLM Field Manager Tim Burke listen as wildlife biologist Scott Soletti, center, explains the fire’s effects on grasses and shrubs.

The expanse of just one portion of the Lost Fire is evident at a stop on the field tour.

Congressman Amodei discusses construction of an erosion control structure in Clover Creek with equipment operator Gregg Ethridge, Field Manager Tim Burke, wildlife biologist Scott Soletti and firefighter Mitchell Murphy.

The Lost Fire, ignited by lightning in early August, burned more than 61,000 acres of western Nevada lands managed by the BLM-California’s Surprise Field Office.  It burned critical habitat for sage-grouse, mule deer, bighorn sheep and pronghorn.  It also charred parts of six livestock grazing allotments and parts of two wild horse herd management areas.  The fire burned parts of the High Rock and Little High Rock wilderness areas managed by Nevada’s Winnemucca District.

- Jeff Fontana, Public Affairs Officer, BLM Northern California District (November 2012)

BLM California News.bytes, issue 557 -- To subscribe to News.bytes, send an e-mail to: mailto:Join-Newsbytes@List.ca.blm.gov OR visit our News.bytes subscription page.