Park Officials Warn Fire Danger High At New Melones LakeFriday, June 30, 2006 - 01:45 PM
Sabrina Sabbagh
MML News Reporter
New Melones Lake, CA -- As California already leads the country with the greatest number of major fires so far this season, New Melones Lake officials are cautioning campers, boaters, and people using recreational areas of the lake to be extra cautious.
Using fireworks are strictly forbidden anywhere within Bureau of Reclamation land and water management areas. With very low humidity and dry vegetation near campsites, picnic areas, and along the shoreline, officials are also warning of a higher risk of fire from smoldering coals or wind-born sparks. All fires must be contained in designated fire rings or BBQs. New Melones staff has learned from past incidents to caution the public carefully regarding summer time fire use. Several serious fires in recent years have resulted from careless acts- for example, a roman candle from a houseboat ignited a hillside last year, and an abandoned, still ignited, portable BBQ left behind by illegal shoreline campers burned dangerously close to homes on Jack Ass Hill two years ago.
Peggi Brooks, Resource Manager of New Melones Lake, urges the public to "Please help protect our public lands as carefully as your own backyard. Never leave your campfire unattended and always have a water source on hand and a shovel to extinguish fires thoroughly. Plan to attend one of several official fireworks displays in the area for a safe and wildfire-free Fourth of July holiday!”
For more information about New Melones Lake go to www.recreaction.gov.
Written by sabrina.sabbagh@mlode.com
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