DANGER OF FOREST FIRES NOW HIGH.Byline: CAROL ROCK Staff Writer ANGELES NATIONAL FOREST The Angeles National Forest (ANF) was established by executive order on December 20, 1892 as the San Gabriel Timberland Reserve. It covers over 2,600 km² (650,000 acres) and is located in the San Gabriel Mountains of Los Angeles County, just north of the metropolitan area of Los -- U.S. Forest Service officials raised the fire danger level in the Angeles National Forest from moderate to high because of recent high temperatures and abundance of vegetation drying out in the heat. That's three weeks earlier than last year for the fire-level hike. ``Even though we've had some late-season rains, the recent hot weather has dried out grass and chaparral and the thinner fuels, causing us to raise the level early this year,'' said Forest Service spokesman Stanton Florea. ``In 2005, the fire danger level wasn't raised to high until July 21.'' Heavy rains in late 2004 brought about an explosion of new growth, resulting in the high fire danger that exists now, Florea said. In the Antelope and Santa Clarita valleys The Santa Clarita Valley is the valley of the Santa Clara River in Southern California. It stretches through Los Angeles County and Ventura County. Its main population center is the city of Santa Clarita. The valley was part of the 48,612-acre (19,672. , Los Angeles Los Angeles (lôs ăn`jələs, lŏs, ăn`jəlēz'), city (1990 pop. 3,485,398), seat of Los Angeles co., S Calif.; inc. 1850. County fire officials will station extra fire engine companies on Tuesday because of the risk of wildfires from fireworks fireworks: see pyrotechnics. fireworks Explosives or combustibles used for display. Of ancient Chinese origin, fireworks evidently developed out of military rockets and explosive missiles and accompanied the spread of military explosives westward to . One strike team consisting of five engines will be stationed in Santa Clarita Santa Clarita, city (1990 pop. 110,642), Los Angeles co., S Calif., suburb 30 mi (48 km) NW of downtown Los Angeles, on the Santa Clara River; inc. 1987. Situated in the Santa Clara valley and nearby canyons, Santa Clarita includes the former towns of Canyon Country, and one in Lancaster, officials said. Water tank trucks and brush-fire patrol trucks will also be assigned to north Los Angeles County. ``This is due to the fact of the historical experience of high responses and activity in that area,'' Los Angeles County Fire Inspector Sam Padilla said. Despite the fire-danger change, there are no new campfire restrictions in the forest, officials said. Open wood and charcoal fires are permitted in developed campgrounds and picnic areas; gas and propane propane, CH3CH2CH3, colorless, gaseous alkane. It is readily liquefied by compression and cooling. It melts at −189.9°C; and boils at −42.2°C;. powered stoves and grills are permitted in nondeveloped areas with a valid camping permit. Spark arrestors A spark arrestor is a device intended to prevent combustible materials, usually sparks or other tiny flaming debris, from escaping into other areas. They are most commonly used in conjunction with motor vehicles (inserted into the muffler), as well as improving safety within , which are required equipment on all off-highway vehicles, should be checked to make sure they are in good condition, forest officials added. Travelers are reminded to stay on designated roads and never park on dry brush or grass. Because of the fire risk posed by illegal fireworks, some roads above Glendora and in the Chantry Flats may be restricted to walk-in traffic at times through the Independence Day, Forest officials said. Up-to-date conditions in the Angeles National Forest are available at the Web site, www.fs.fed.us/f5/angeles. carol.rock@dailynews.com (661)257-5252 |
|
||||||||||||
Printer friendly
Cite/link
Email
Feedback
Reader Opinion