Authorities have ordered the evacuation of 14 ranches near a wildfire in northern Santa Barbara County. The order was issued Tuesday, hours after authorities closed nearly 111 square miles of the Los Padres National Forest. Forest Service spokesman Maeton (MAY'-tuhn) Freel says most of the closed area is inaccessible backcountry. He says ranchers are moving their horses and other livestock. The 4-day-old wildfire in the San Rafael Wilderness area of the forest has scorched more than 32 square miles of brushy canyon lands and crested a ridge a few miles from the ranches. More than 1,000 firefighters are battling the blaze. It's 10 percent contained. AP
There are no motorized vehicles allowed in wilderness areas, so how do you move livestock out of harm's way? Drive them horseback and hope you outrun the fire?
2 comments:
Not True re wilderness. Motorized use can be authorized:
Standard in Wilderness:
http://www.wilderness.net/toolboxes/documents/fire/FS_Wilderness%20Fire%20Policy.doc
Regional Forester. The Regional Forester is responsible for approving:
1. Transport and supply by aircraft, air drop, motor boat, or mechanical transport for situations that meet the conditions under items 2, 4, or 5, in FSM 2326.1.
4. Use of motor vehicles, motorized equipment, and mechanical transport for situations involving established livestock grazing operations (FSM 2204 and 2323.2), and transport of wildlife or fish when nonmotorized means are not feasible (FSM 2323.3).
2326.1 - Conditions Under Which Use May Be Approved. Allow the use of motorized equipment or mechanical transport only for:
1. Emergencies where the situation involves an inescapable urgency and temporary need for speed beyond that available by primitive means. Categories include fire suppression, health and safety, law enforcement involving serious crime or fugitive pursuit, removal of deceased persons, and aircraft accident investigations.
Thanks for the link and the excerpts. After posting I remembered there were some emergency exemptions, but I was just too tired to go back and fix it.
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