#USFS

[haylanmakesstuff]

Haylan Makes Adventure

I know this space is called Haylan Makes Stuff, but Stuff isn’t the only thing you can make; I’ve also made plenty of adventures and memories. I work as a seasonal park ranger, and go to as many sites as I can. Where available, I do two things; buy a sew-on patch, and complete the Junior Ranger program where it’s available. When you do, you get a free wood/plastic badge or patch, and that’s the only way you can get those items. 

To show off my badges and patches of both kinds, I sew them onto flags every January. Junior Ranger programs usually consist of a workbook to complete, sometimes an activity or ranger talk. 

When I work as a park ranger one of my favorite things to do is Junior Ranger for kids, and I’ve been lucky enough to create a full program for one Forest. I have a few of my earnings on a Junior Ranger vest, which is fun to wear during activities with the kids. 

Anyone can do Junior Ranger, no matter your age. On duty, my oldest Junior Ranger was 88, and the youngest was 11 months old. Some places have different books/badges available, like Senior Ranger for adults, or Junior Angler, Night Sky, etc. Screw Pokemon, I gotta collect all these. 

The hardest program goes to Bandelier; it took two adults to do it and we still struggled! Did you know about Junior Ranger? Do you have a favorite? Do you collect anything while you travel?

[burnsoregonphotoblog]

R6, State & Private Forestry, Forest Health Protection

1965. USFS photographer Jim Hughes on fence. Cattle evaluation for DDT. Douglas-fir tussock moth control project.

Altnow Ranch. Burns, Oregon.

USFS photographer Jim Hughes on fence.

Cattle evaluation for DDT. Douglas-fir tussock moth control project.

Altnow Ranch. Burns, Oregon. 

Photo by: Unknown

Date: 1965 Credit: USDA Forest Service, Region 6, State and Private Forestry, Forest Health Protection.

Collection: Region 6, Forest Health Protection slide collection; Regional Office, Portland, Oregon. 

Image provided by USDA Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Region, State and Private Forestry, Forest Health Protection: www.fs.usda.gov/main/r6/forest-grasslandhealth

Public Domain Mark 1.0

[thechembow]

Tecuya Mountain After the Fire

Aug. 3, 2023

The emergency response to yesterday's Tecuya Fire was impressive. They brought out all the big guns, including massive Cal Fire air tankers (which as a side note were completely silent). The fire was pretty much out by sundown yesterday and was just smoldering at that point.

Today there are a few news stories about the fire in sort of mainstream sources. It still remains to be told to the public why the fire was not reported on Cal Fire's incident page. The fire occurred in a very isolated place high up and north of Tecuya Ridge where there are no roads or infrastructure.

Today's stories came from sources in Santa Barbara and Bakersfield. "Edhat" out of Santa Barbara reported that "as of Thursday morning, the U.S. Forest Service states the fire is 10% contained and has burned approximately 50 acres so far." I can tell you it was out as of Wed. evening, but they report on the ditch dug around the fire, not the fire itself. Progress was made on the ditch today.

Bakersfield.com reported "Containment grew to 50% by about 5 p.m. Thursday, though the acres burning didn't grow past 50, the same number as the last update Wednesday evening." That'e because the fire was out since Wednesday evening. The crews really did a great job extinguishing the fire with helicopters from Cal Fire and other agencies dropping water. If the US Forest Service started it, they also did a great job sweeping it under the rug by dealing with it expediently.

This evening I saw the day crew leaving on a dirt road which goes up Tecuya Mountain. They really had a lot of support, God bless 'em. We even had Vandenberg AFB (or "Space Force" Base now?) fire units and some folks in green Forest Service fire trucks called the Grovetown Hotshots. I really felt like someone up there was looking out for us.

[symphonyofpixels]

*rant ahead* Today was day 2 of my kid's ice show, the 3rd one he's participated in. And I get why USFS has such a problem attracting male skaters. It's the girls. Even if a young boy gets interested, keeping them interested enough to keep skating and not feeling "left out" just doesn't happen when they are outnumbered 20 to 1. And the cliques! I knew teenage girls were bad, I was one a long time ago, but wow...

[moreidsdaughter]

so i need people to stop acting like usfs is one of the worst federations because they put winning over the well being and quality of their skaters… one could argue that every federation does this because at the end of the day, they all want as many wins as possible. japan’s figure skating body will often downgrade skaters who are perfectly capable of doing well in seniors (kao)… just so they can get medals in juniors; when in fact, seniors are the better option for those skaters. not only is this a prevalent issue, but they also enable coaches that abuse their students! i’m using their governing body as an example purely because everyone holds them on a pedestal, but what i’m saying could be applied to practically any federation in this sport. everyone wants to talk about corruption and equality, well then let’s talk about it! unfortunately almost every single federation is corrupt in some way or another, and that shouldn’t go unnoticed or unfixed.

[thedollarprincess]

[pcttrailsidereader]

Sad and Frustrating News

In early September, the Pacific Crest Trail north of Harts Pass closed due to fires on both sides of the border. Harts Pass lies just thirty miles from the Northern terminus of the PCT. For so many this is a bitter end in their endeavor to complete the PCT in 2022. It is possible that the trail could re-open but when is anyone's guess. Conditions in the North Cascades have taken a late summer turn rather suddenly.

Many believed this year might allow some respite from the past smoke filled years. The mountains received late winter snows and a wet spring followed. Apparently this was not enough. Sadly it appears that for many Harts Pass will be the northern terminus this season.

Following is the news release from the US Forest Service:

Release Date: Sep 8, 2022

Increased fire activity on some of the lightning caused fires, burning in the very remote, steep, and inaccessible terrain in the northwest corner of the Pasayten Wilderness Area, spurred trail and area closures over the holiday weekend. Hot, dry, and windy conditions are expected today as a trough moves into the area which is expected to create conditions for increased fire behavior. The Shull, The Parks, Kid, Three Fools, Skagit, and Elbow fires, located near the Canadian-U.S border, are expected to grow in acreage today.

In a joint delegation with the National Park Service, a National Incident Management Organization Team, NIMO Team 2, assumed command yesterday over the six fires now being called the NW Pasayten Fires, located in the Pasayten Wilderness on the Methow Valley Ranger District of the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest, as well as the Chilliwack Complex Fires within the North Cascades National Park Service Complex.

A number of closures are in effect including an area closure for the Freezeout Creek basin and a number of trails and portions of trails in the area. Portions of both the Pacific Crest Trail and Pacific Northwest Trail remain closed at this time.

Currently, there is no reroute in place for hikers. In a post, the PCTA reminded hikers not to cross into Canada on alternate trails, which is a violation of Canadian law and could result in deportation and a ban from the country; instead, they should exit the trail at Harts Pass at mile 2623. 

The closure is a blow for northbounders, who make up about 90% of thru-hikers on the PCT. The northern reaches of the trail often see significant snow in late September or early October, making travel considerably more difficult. In an email, Scott Wilkinson, Content Development Director for the PCTA, called the closure “totally indefinite” and noted that what happens will likely depend on how the fire north of the border behaves.

Major wildfires have become an annual feature of hiking on the PCT, necessitating closures and reroutes that have forced some hikers onto roads, convinced others to skip sections of the trail, and driven others off the trail entirely. Currently, another 24.7-mile section of trail is closed in Oregon; fires had previously closed other parts of the trail in Oregon and northern California this year.

[sentinelchicken]

Got this photo of Tanker 104 resting between sorties at the Redmond Air Tanker Base (RDM) in Oregon this past week while one of the US Forestry Service's Shorts 330 heads out with a load of smoke jumpers for a fire south of the Redmond/Bend area. The Erickson Aero Tanker MD-87s were working a fire near Lake Billy Chinook on the perimeter of the reservation of the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs. ⁣ ⁣ The Warm Springs tribes are one of the Columbia Plateau tribes of the Inland Northwest I work with on my day job and that's what had me in Central Oregon the past 2 weeks. That's beautiful area where the MD-87s were working the fire this particular day. Like the day prior, it was very hazy due to the wildfires. I had gone hiking earlier in the day up in the Cascades before things got really hot and hazy. ⁣ ⁣ There were also some SEATs (Single Engine Air Tankers) staging out of RDM as well. ⁣ ⁣ #Avgeek #aviation #aircraft #planeporn #RDM #Redmond #USFS #airport #planespotting⁣ #McDonnellDouglas #MD87#N294EA #Tanker104 #Erickson #EricksonAeroTanker ⁣ #Shorts #Shorts330 #smokejumper #N145Z⁣ #instagramaviation #splendid_transport #aviationlovers #aviationphotography #flight ⁣ #AvGeeksAero #AvgeekSchoolofKnowledge #AvGeekNation #TeamAvGeek (at RDMRedmondAirport) https://www.instagram.com/p/Cg54Vvlsrtd/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[awinterstales]

Kaori pls pls pls win tonight, nothing against Isabeau Levito I just don't want the US getting all four gold medals. Even if it's their home Grand Prix. Pls no.

[pierremcguire]

bro us figure skating stacked the nhk trophy gp assignments

[haylanmakesstuff]

Day 13

After seeing some familiar faces still working in the forest, we left for a long day. We were going to explore the southern end of the forest. This area is known as Longmire Country, as the beloved book series by Craig Johnson takes place here. Since we are both Longmire fans, we took a required pit stop in Buffalo. This is an adorable little town just on the east side of the Powder River district of the Big Horns. This is also where Longmire takes place, though renamed as Durant. This book/show series has accidentally infiltrated my life in more ways than one: Husband worked for the Forest Service when it was being filmed in the little town he lived in, in New Mexico, and I worked for the Forest Service where the books were written and take place. My favorite shop here is Gigi’s Upscale Retail. I think they must have a time machine secreted away somewhere, because the overwhelming abundance of vintage dresses here, many still with tags, is astounding (and at amazing prices, too). We spent way too long digging through rack after rack of items, adding to our try-on piles, trying them on and flouncing about like the ghosts we are.

On to a few shops, where we petted Craig Johnson’s dog, Annie, but did not pet Craig Johnson. After eating at the Busy Bee Café, of Longmire fame, we headed out of town towards a hike into the Cloud Peak Wilderness. A designated wilderness means that only those on foot, pack animal, or devices assisting the disabled may enter. No cars, motorbikes, ATV’s, or even bicycles are allowed. In fact, no machines allowed at all – trail work in the wilderness must be done with saws since chainsaws are outlawed. This means there is as little human influence as possible, mostly all you’ll see from humans are trails. This trail actually plays an important role in the first Longmire book, even though I didn’t know it when I first hiked it years ago. 

I didn’t expect to complete this hike either, since it’s harder, longer, and over rougher terrain, but I did. I was definitely pushing myself during it and felt it afterwards; but to be able to show someone this gorgeous place after experiencing all of these things along in the past was special. 

During this hike we noticed something interesting: 

Bears had clawed up a tree! Or just one bear, more than likely, who am I to know what they’ve been up to. One bear or three bears; it’s a super cool thing to notice. 

Mirror Lake was our destination; surrounded by alpine mountains, lodgepole pine, and wildflowers. It’s a serene and cold lake that’s great for feet with degenerative joints; but I can’t go in above the ankles or I’d become a popsicle. I can’t expect Ashton to carry a popsicle my size all the way out of the wilderness.

The very long drive home was filled with the stink of the Worland oil fields, a rogue giant herd of elk in the road (really the road is rogue, not the elk), and a group of stranded young men in a van. They didn’t know how to use their gears going down a steep mountain and burned out their brakes. It was almost midnight, and when they flagged us down, they were distraught to say the least. I offered to make a call for them at a place I knew had service, but after I explained how to use their gears and coast down the mountain, they felt they could make it to the little town of Shell at the base. I hope they made it down safely. Strange end to a long night!

Haylan

[thatmadscientistbitch]

If you ever feel bad about not being invited to a party, let me tell you a story that might make you feel better.

So about three years ago, I was hired for an internship with the US Forest Service. For the job, I would move from California to Utah for the summer, during which I would turn 23.

To celebrate, my family decided that they would come visit me in Utah for the weekend - we would hit up some National and State Parks, go hiking together, and it'd be a grand ol' time.

Problem is, I started the job and immediately got elevation sickness coupled with severe asthma attacks, and had to quit within the first month.

This very much sucked, but I got home, and told my family "oh well, at least I'll be home for my birthday and we can still celebrate right?"

to which my family said "Oh... well... the thing is... we did already buy the tickets... and you know they're non-refundable... so we're still gonna go."

Which meant. That to celebrate my birthday. My ENTIRE family. Went on vacation. WITHOUT ME.

Anyways. Next time you feel bummed about being discluded, at least your family didn't ditch you at your own birthday.

[thechembow]

BREAKING NEWS: Tecuya Fire ignited at 7:30am

Aug. 2, 2023

A wildfire is raging on Tecuya Ridge north of Frazier Park, CA. Cal Fire does not list this fire on their incident page as of 10:15am PST, however Cal Fire planes and helicopters are currently on the job.

This fire is not near any roads or infrastructure. How was it set at 7:30 this morning, and not reported on Cal Fire's website? One may theorize, but we have no answer as of yet. This is a prime spot for intentional burning by US Forest Service, which are supposed to be out by 10am. USFS does not have a map of "prescribed burns" to reference and has not been reporting on them, although taxpayer funded arson should be public record.

I dug around to find this fire on an incident map and found it at University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources website.

Currently the incident seems to be under control in that it does not appear to be overtaking the ridge into the Frazier Mountain area. We will keep an eye on the situation and of more details emerge, I will post them here.

[migratorybirdday]

Unveiling the WMBD 2024 Poster - "Protect Insects, Protect Birds.

"We are thrilled to present the poster for this year's World Migratory Bird Day!; The hand-drawn illustrations by the talented artist Anna Rosepaints beautifully capture the essence of our campaign. Their intricate details not only showcase the beauty of birds but also emphasize the vital role of insects in the health and well-being of migratory birds.

Join us in spreading the word and building our conservation movement that transcends borders and languages. Share this incredible artwork far and wide to inspire others to protect our migratory birds!

Together, let's make this World Migratory Bird Day a catalyst for change and a celebration of the incredible journey of birds. Share, support, and soar with us towards a brighter, more bird-resilient future!

[dupagefsc]

2024 US Nationals

Congratulations to our DuPage FSC skaters who competed at the 2024 United States Figure Skating Championships in Columbus, Ohio -- we are so proud of you!

Tomoki Hiwatashi - Championship Men, 8th

Jiaying Ellyse Johnson - Junior Women, 6th

Alina Bonillo - Junior Women, 13th

Marlo Rosen - Junior Men, 14th

Adele Zheng - Junior Pairs, 4th

Aaron Felberbaum - Junior Pairs, 8th

Baylen Taich - Novice Pairs, 2nd

US Nationals High Performance Development Camp Participants: Marlo Rosen, Zenith Chen, and Baylen Taich A special shout out to

DuPage FSC Board Member Stephanie Lab who was a Technical Specialist for the event.