Field Reports: Ex-rangers rage about off-roaders
A group of former government workers said they have had enough of off-roaders tearing up the desert.
The group, Rangers for Responsible Recreation, cites data from the U.S. Bureau of Land Management that details rampant abuse from off-road vehicles in Arizona and four other Western states.
Off-road vehicles are destroying watersheds and streambeds along with plants and wildlife, said former BLM director Jim Baca.
His group wants stiffer fines, taking away off-road vehicles when drivers abuse the desert and suspension of hunting and fishing licenses.
Off-roaders say it’s a few that are spoiling it for everyone else.
Brian Blangsted, who has been riding dirt bikes in the open desert of southern Arizona for nearly 30 years, said some off-road vehicle riders promote safe riding to preserve access to scenic trails.
BLM numbers from 2004 to the first half of 2007 for Arizona, Nevada, California, New Mexico and Utah show more than 6,600 violations involving off-road vehicles in hit-and-run and reckless driving incidents.
Other statistics show more than 2,300 violations stemming from illegal use of closed trails and other areas that are off-limits to the public.
With a little more than 600 violations, Arizona ranks fourth behind California, Utah and Nevada.
Associated Press
NATIONAL FORESTS
Campfire neglect rampant on forests
With wildfires sprouting like weeds in the tinder-dry landscapes, federal lands managers were alarmed recently to find numerous instances of people leaving campsites while their campfires were still hot or burning.
Along the Coeur d’Alene River last week, wildfire prevention officers found eight abandoned campfires in just the first 5 miles of their patrol, said Sandra Groth, Coeur d’Alene Interagency Dispatch Center fire prevention specialist. “This is a very serious situation, especially as temperatures soar and the potential for wildfires increases,” she said
Fire managers said they are about a month ahead of what they consider their “normal” fire season.
Abandoning a hot campfire is a violation punishable with a fine. Neglecting a campfire that sparks a wildfire leaves the perpetrator liable for fire suppression costs that can soar in the hundreds of thousands of dollars, Groth said.
Campfires have been banned for the rest of the fire season in most federal areas outside of developed campsites. Where they are still allowed,
“ Keep campfires small and build them away from overhanging branches, steep slopes and dry grass or logs.
“NEVER leave a campfire unattended.
“Make sure your fire is dead out. If it’s too hot to touch, it’s too hot to leave!
“Use water to drown your campfire. No water? Use dirt to smother and stir.
Rich Landers