Officials brief governor on fire season

CARSON CITY, Nev.–Despite nine straight days of rain over western Nevada, area fire officials say they are preparing for another dangerous fire season.

A group of officials representing federal, state and local agencies briefed Gov. Jim Gibbons on their predictions Thursday.

Forestry Division Fire Program Manager Mike Dondero told him five of the 10 worst fire seasons since 1960 have been in the past seven years.

Read the complete story at the Nevada Appeal.

Tour Rock Point Mill site at Dayton State Park June 14

DAYTON, Nev.–Join a historian on a tour of the Rock Point Mill site on Saturday, June 14 from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
 
Now just a quiet spot across from the Dayton State Park’s entrance, the site, after gold and silver were discovered in the 1850s and 60s, was anything but quiet. The Rock Point Mill was one of the largest stamp mills on the Carson River and one of the only ruins left from those mining days.

Partial closures in Lake Tahoe Nevada State Park Backcountry

CARSON CITY, Nev.– Lake Tahoe Nevada State Park personnel announced yesterday a temporary closure of portions of the Marlette and Hobart Backcountry area. The closure will be Monday through Friday and will last through September.

Backcountry trails that will be closed are: the Lakeview Road, the section of Hobart Road between Marlette Lake and Hobart Lake, the Red House Flume Trail and the Tunnel Creek road in the Red House and Franktown Creek area. Access points that will be affected are the gate above Lakeview Estates in Carson City and the gate at the top of Musgrove Canyon, in Washoe Valley. The closure will also affect backcountry travel permit holders.

Elko honored as a Tree City USA community

ELKO, Nev.–Elko was recently named a Tree City USA community by The National Arbor Day Foundation to honor the city’s commitment to community forestry. Eight other Nevada communities re-certified their “Tree City USA” designation for their activities in 2007.

The “Tree City USA” award recognizes communities that effectively manage public tree resources. More than 3200 communities ranging in population of a few hundred to several million were awarded the “Tree City USA” status this year.

“Trees in our Nevada communities help clean the air, conserve soil and water, moderate temperature and bring nature into our daily lives,” said Pete Anderson, Nevada’s state forester and firewarden. “Tree City USA designation recognizes the work of elected officials, staff and citizens who plant and care for the community forest.”