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Show Volume XIV Issue XVIII The Ogden Valley news Page 15 July 1, 2007 Snowpacks along most of the Wa s a t c h - C a c h e National Forest are 50-60 percent of average and surrounding areas are about 70-80 percent of average. Higher elevations are predicted to be a concern early in the fire season due to the low snowpack and warm temperatures throughout the area. Lack of precipitation will reduce fuel moistures and create dry conditions in vegetation thus, increasing fire potential. Jim Thomas, Fire Management Officer for the Wasatch-Cache and Uinta National Forests stresses “that individuals recreating on the Wasatch-Cache National Forest must be extremely careful with campfires and devices that could cause sparks, which may result in a fire escaping and burning out of control destroying state, federal, and private lands and, possibly, homes.” “Individuals found negligent in starting a fire or allowing a fire to burn out of their control can be held liable for all suppression costs,” said Thomas. Please follow these tips to prevent human caused fires. Building and Putting Out a Campfire • Build campfires away from overhanging branches, steep slopes, rotten stumps, logs, and dry grass and leaves. Pile any extra wood away from fires. • Keep plenty of water handy and have a shovel for throwing dirt on the fire if it gets out of control. • Start with dry twigs and small sticks. Add larger sticks as the fire builds up. • Put the largest pieces of wood on last, pointing them toward the center of the fire, and gradually push them into the flames. • Keep the campfire small. A good bed of coals or a small fire surrounded by rocks gives plenty of heat. Scrape away litter, duff, and any burnable material within a 10-foot-diameter circle. This will keep a small campfire from spreading. • Be sure your match is out. Hold it until it is cold. Break it so that you can feel the charred portion before discarding it. Make sure it is cold out. • Never leave a campfire unattended. Even a small breeze could quickly cause the fire to spread. • Drown the fire with water. Make sure all embers, coals, and sticks are wet. Move rocks around to check for burning embers underneath. • Stir the remains, add more water, and stir again. Be sure all burned material has been extinguished and cooled. Use dirt if you do not have water. Mix enough soil or sand with the embers. Continue adding and stirring until all material is cooled. Fire Prevention Tips and local agencies to increase awareness • Feel all materials with your bare hand. Make sure that no roots are burning. Do not bury your coals because they can smolder and break out. • Contact your local agency for fire restrictions and closures. Charcoal Briquettes • After using the burning charcoal briquettes, "dunk 'em!" – don't sprinkle. Soak the coals with lots of water, stir them, and soak again. Be sure they are out cold! Carefully feel the coals with your bare hands to be sure. Smoking • When smoking is permitted outdoors, safe practices require at least a 3-foot clearing around the smoker. Grind out your cigarette, cigar, or pipe tobacco in the dirt. Never grind it on a stump or log. Use your ashtray while in your car. Lanterns, Stoves, and Heaters • Cool all lanterns, stoves, and heaters before refueling. Place them on the ground in a cleared area to fill them. If fuel spills, move the appliance to a new clearing before lighting it. Recap and store flammable liquid containers in a safe place. Never light lanterns and stoves inside a tent, trailer, or camper. If you use a lantern or stove inside a tent or trailer be sure to have adequate ventilation. Always read and follow instructions provided by the manufacturer. Spark Arresters • All types of equipment and vehicles, including chain saws, portable generators, cross-country vehicles, and trail bikes, require spark arresters if used in or near grass, brush, or a wooded area. To make sure that the spark arrester is functioning properly, check with the dealer or contact your local Forest Service or State forestry office. • Never park or drive your vehicle on dry grass. • OHV’s and ATV’s must be used only on designated roads and trails, never crosscountry. Fireworks • Fireworks are not permitted on public lands. Target Shooting • Choose locations with little or no vegetation. • Use soft targets, avoid shooting rocks, metal, or pressurized containers. • Be aware of the type of ammunition you are using; certain types of ammunition may increase sparks. • Tracers are illegal to use on public lands. Wasatch-Cache fire officials are also working closely with other federal, state, of the risks associated with the urbanwildland interface. Homes located where urban and wildland areas interface have an increased risk of experiencing a humancaused wildfire. Residents in these areas can utilize several programs that can make their homes more defensible. These tools FISHING cont. from page 12 Reeves of Northern Utah Fitness likes to combine these two activities—exercise and fishing. He does add that diet is also critical. Stress raises the body’s levels of acid (acidity), which has a negative effect physiologically. You can help neutralize these negative acids and toxins through exercise, drinking lots of water (two liters a day for adults is recommended), and eating plenty of fresh vegetables. Too much coffee, tea, soft drinks, and even protein from meats contribute to higher acidic pH levels, as do simple sugars, alcohol, many prescription drugs, stress, and unhealthy environments. Acidic pH levels in the body contribute to dry skin, kidney stones, arthritis, gallbladder problems, and even fibromyalgia. An ideal pH level is 7.36. Reeves states, “Fishing is a great hobby to take up because it is so relaxing. Every hobby or sport has exquisite detail surrounding it. The more you learn and know about it, the better you become at executing. For instance, in the world of fishing, there is so much to learn that will help you become more effective, which will also contribute to your enjoyment of the activity. There’s a wealth of information out there about lines, lures, hooks, prime water temperatures, fish, fish cycles and habits, available electronics used in the sport, etc. Also, every place you fish is different, and these subtleties may be critical to your fishing success. It’s important to know your lake. But remember, even the worst fishing day beats a good day at the office! include the “Firewise” program that recommends homeowners remove flammable vegetation from around their home, and landscape with fire resistant vegetation, improve access routes, and identify their homes with addresses that can be easily seen by fire officials. For More information about Firewise go to <www.firewise.org> “All you need to get started is a fishing license and a proclamation, and to familiarize yourself a bit with the sport. The more details you acquaint yourself with, the more enjoyable your time spent fishing will be. There are also many fishing clubs and organizations around that you can join and compete with, and a plethora of information about the sport online. There are local, state, and regional tournaments that you can participate in. No matter your budget—whether you have a $40,000 boat or just a simple line—all can participate.” Reeves recently and successfully competed in the B.A.S.S. Federation championship capturing one of eleven winning spots—one each from the 11 states representing the Western Division. He now moves on to compete against all of the state winners from each of the six U.S. divisions—66 in all— Six amateur winners will emerge—one from each of the U.S. divisions—to compete against 44 pros in the world of fishing’s ultimate and elite Bass Master Classic that will be aired on ESPN sometime in early 2008 with a purse worth $1,196,500. Feeling stressed? Go by a fishing line, begin a serious exercise program, and remember to eat right for a healthy life. And, who knows, you might end up with Sid at the Bass Master Classic! Note: Certified fitness trainer Sidney Reeves is the owner of Northern Fitness Personal Training Studio in North Ogden. For more information about health, nutrition, personal training . . . or fishing, contact Reeves at 801-603-0497. |