First, I want to remind you to look at Careena Chase\u2019s page one photo. Daffodils are blooming only a week after our latest winter snow storm. <\/p>\n
They are a true harbinger of the arrival of longer and warmer days. Today, March 20 is the Spring equinox \u2014 daylight and night are equal.<\/p>\n
And with the arrival of spring, we can now participate in outside activities, such as raking and preparing our yards and homes for the arrival of fire season.<\/p>\n
Careena\u2019s photo below was taken Friday at the Pinyon Fire, only a few miles from here. This is another harbinger of spring and summer \u2014 aircraft carrying water to drop on fires.<\/p>\n
I was surprised to hear about a seven-acre fire at the beginning of fire season and only a week after significant precipitation. <\/p>\n
\u201cSome fire officers commented this was like a late May or June fire might burn,\u201d wrote Riverside County Fire Chief John Hawkins. \u201cThe fire did burn very well for this time of year. The standing brush burned to the ground in many places.\u201d<\/p>\n
For those who remember, last week\u2019s page one story about how the federal budget sequestration will affect the Forest Service\u2019s fire resources in the San Bernardino National Forest and on the Hill. Perhaps this photograph and quote clarifies my questions. <\/p>\n
The Forest Service is not exempt from the budget cuts imposed by the sequestration law. But for thoseof us living in fire prone areas, we would like to know whether less money for fire prevention and suppression programs will affect our local crews. <\/p>\n
If the White House knows that there will be fewer tours, I\u2019d think the Forest Supervisor would know whether she will have fewer fire fighters or helicopter contracts.<\/p>\n
Not only couldn\u2019t the Forest Service share any information with me to share with the public, but our congressman, Rep. Raul Ruiz, and his staff haven\u2019t gotten any more details.<\/p>\n
Also below you will see a table with the 2011 salary and benefits for the Fern Valley Water District staff. This information comes from the state controllers office, who posts it online.<\/p>\n
Last week, we published the Idyllwild Water District data and in future issues, you will see the Pine Cove Water District and Idyllwild Fire Protection District.<\/p>\n
This is the third year we have been publishing this public information. <\/p>\n
Last week, we began a new feature \u2014 Odd-ywilds. Barry Zander is the creator. Not a native \u201cHillbilly\u201d and from \u201cNa Orlins,\u201d he finds many of our situations and behaviors unusual or unexpected, thus \u201cOdd-ywilds.\u201d We will be sharing one monthly.\t<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
First, I want to remind you to look at Careena Chase\u2019s page one photo. Daffodils are blooming only a week after our latest winter snow storm. They are a true harbinger of the arrival of longer and warmer days. Today, March 20 is the Spring equinox \u2014 daylight and night are equal. And with the […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":58,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"ngg_post_thumbnail":0,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"amp_status":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[37],"tags":[],"yoast_head":"\n