PANGUITCH • PANGUTTCH LAKE • HATCH • BRYCE • TROPIC • AMIMONY • HKNKIEWLLK • CANNONVILLE • ESCAHNTE • BOULDER • DUCK CREEK Thursday, July 20, 2006 • Issue # 69 ESCALANTE R.D. MANAGING FIRE FOR RESOURCE BENEFITS GARFILED COUNTY AVIAN INFLUENZA PANDEMIC PREPAREDNESS SUMMIT The Southwest Utah Public Health Department is planning a day of education and The Dixie National Forest's Escalante Ranger District is managing the Drill challenges for Gaifield County on Tuesday, August 15, 2006 from 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 Hole Fire just north of Hells Backbone for resource benefits. The Drill Hole Fire was ignited by lighting on Tuesday at about 5 p.m. It is p.m. The summit will be held in the Auditorium of the Panguitch High School, 250 E. burning in grass, manzanita, and mixed conifer fuel types in the Sand Creek drain- Center St., Panguitch, Utah. Attendance at this summit is free and open to the public. age just north of the Box Death Hollow Wilderness, and about five miles north- The concern with a potential avian influenza pandemic has prompted this Pandemic Preparedness Summit. west of Salt Gulch. Major speakers will include Dr. David Blodgett. Health Officer/Director of the The fire has burned about 450 acres and is expected to burn into natural barSouthwest Utah Public Health Department and Kay Whetstone, Director of Commuriers that should halt the Fire's spread. The fire is generally spreading through the nicable Disease and Emergency Preparedness in the Southwest District. We are grass and manzanita, and occasionally torching individual and groups of conifer excited to present the challenges of being ready to respond to a possible pandemic. trees. It appears that an avian influenza pandemic is likely. The potential consequences An Escalante Ranger District fire use manager and fire crews are monitoring of such an event are staggering. Now is the time for those of us who will be responthe Drill Hole Fire. sible to respond to and be most impacted by a. pandemic flu to unite our efforts No restrictions or closures are presently in effect. However, it may be necestowards pandemic preparation. sary to close the Great Western Trail and its access points between McGath Lake Garfield County has a history of responding to emergencies in an admirable and Sand Greek as the fire progresses. fashion. We want to build on that performance by gathering as many community Fires managed for resource benefits, also known as "wildland fire use partners as possible for this preparedness. Representatives from public health, long fires," must be ignited naturally and meet the requirements of the Dixie National term care, hospitals, private medical providers, home care, medical suppliers, priForest's fire management plan; vate business, faith based organizations, law enforcement, elected officials, schools, The Drill Hole Fire is reintroducing fire into an ecosystem that has missed one day cares, volunteer organizations, veterinarians and funeral homes are a few of the or more natural fire return intervals. The fire is reducing unnaturally high accumu- groups we have invited. lations of fuels and moving the composition and density of tree stands toward If you have any questions about whether you should attend, please call Paulette levels that are more normal historically. at 435-986-2579 or e-mail her at pvalentine@utah.gov. Forest Service fire managers expect wildlife forage and watershed conditions The gathering will draw together the decision makers of our community in a new to benefit as well. way. We hope each will leave the summit with an increased awareness of what is to For the latest information on the Drill Hole Fire, come, along with a clear idea about what can be done as we move into the future. contact the Escalante Ranger District at (435) 8265400, the Dixie National Forest public affairs ofDEADLINE FOR ZIONS BANK'S "SMART WOMEN" fice at (435) 559-3744, or visit www.utahfireinfo.gov. GRANT APPLICATIONS EXTENDED TO AUGUST 4 WEATHER Thu Jul ZO TP^- Stt-rm wit- B2T- S2V30* Ed PltMi From 30% Jul 21 •87«»F' The Zions Bank Women's Financial Group has extended its deadline to accept applications for micro-grants for women through Friday, August 4. Called "Smart Women Grants," the awards will be provided to women candidates who excel in a variety of categories: small business start-up and expansion; community development; continuing education and teacher support; child and elder care; health and human services; and arts and culture. The maximum amount of each award is $3,000, totaling $20,000 for the program/Open to female residents of Utah and Idaho, applications are available online at www.smartwomen.zionsbank.com or by calling (801) 5948245. • Priority consideration for funding will be given to proposals that: promote the empowerment of women; emphasize collaboration between women entrepreneurs or non-profit entities supporting women; directly benefit women or low-income and underserved populations; support endeavors that immediately benefit communities in which Zions Bank has a presence; and for proposals that provide a sound plan for measuring performance and results. Jut ZZ Jul 23 86=/1.- luc • 30% Do it now. It is not safe to leave a generous feeling to the cooling influences of the world. Thomas Guthrie BOXHOLDER ^ 5 ^ A Phone: ©-fcfel, "SEEMUtr -eao snapshot@scinternet.net po BOX 472 Loa, Utah 84747 PRE-SORT STANDARD PAID LOA, UTAH PERMIT No. 5 THE GARFIELD COUNTY INSIDER is owned and operated by Snapshot Multimedia and distributed weekly to all of Garfield County , Its purpose Is to inform residents about local issues and events. Thank you.