Fire Prevention Urged for Memorial Day Weekend

April 19, 2015 (Sacramento) -- As Californians make their Memorial Day weekend and summer vacation plans, CAL FIRE and federal fire agencies want to ensure vacationers obtain necessary campfire permits and learn how to have a campfire safely.

The California Wildfire Coordination Group (CWCG) has unveiled a new fire prevention website, www.PreventWildfireCA.org , which for the first time offers an online campfire permit section.

“The new online system makes it easier for Californians to get a permit, while still taking the time to learn  how to have a campfire safely,” said Chief Ken Pimlott, CAL FIRE director. “It is critical that a responsible adult be in attendance of your campfire at all times and that it is completely extinguished before you leave to avoid sparking a wildfire. One less spark means one less wildfire.”

April 17, 2015 (Ramona)-Step back in time at Ramona Old West Days, featuring living history encampments  as well as a gunfighters’ skit competition at the Ramona Rodeo grounds (421 Aqua Lane, Ramona).

Source: County News Center

April 15, 2014 (Poway)--San Diego County and Poway are teaming up on an ambitious proposal to connect the region’s vast network of hiking and equestrian trails and other popular outdoor attractions.

April 9, 2015 (Ramona) – The 12^th annual Ramona Open Studios tour will be held this Satudray and Sunday, April 11-12 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

If you've ever wondered what an artist's studio looks like, now is your opportunity to see for yourself. During the Ramona Open Studios Tour, artists in Ramona will open their studios to curious visitors, inviting them to talk, check out how they work, and buy artwork if they're interested.

By Miriam Raftery

Photo: Cleveland National Forest, courtesy National Forest Service

April 6, 2015 (San Diego’s East County)—The Republican-controlled House and Senate have passed measures that would allow the sale or outright giveaway of most public lands –including national forests, federal wildernesses and  wildlife preserves and Bureau of Land Management properties.  Only Republicans voted for the language slipped into a non-binding budget resolution—which passed without a single Democratic vote. 

The shocking news is revealed in a New York Times editorial by Will Rogers, president of the Trust for Public Lands, titled “Our Land, Up for Grabs.”  

While it’s unlikely that President Barack Obama would support such an extreme measure, if a Republican president is elected in 2016 and Republicans maintains control of both houses of Congress, losing our cherished public lands such could be a very real possibility.

Here in San Diego County alone, that could mean the demise of:  Cleveland National Forest,  Otay Mountain Wildnerness, Hauser Wilderness, Pine Creek , Carrizo Gorge, Sawtooth Mountains Wilderness , Agua Tibia Wilderness, San Diego National Wildlife Refuge, San Diego Bay National Wildlife Refuge , Tijuana Slough National Wildlife Refuge, McCain Valley National Recreation Area and more.

By Miriam Raftery

March 28, 2015 (Ramona)—A 4-year-old boy drowned in a swimming pool March 21^st at a neighbor’s home in Ramona.

By Miriam Raftery

March 27, 2015 (San Diego’s East County) - As fish stories go, this one is a whopper.

A fisherman at Lake Cuyamaca this weekend has reeled in a rainbow trout weighing 17 pounds, 8 ounces—the biggest ever caught at the lake.

By Miriam Raftery

March 24, 2015 (Ramona) - An application for a medical marijuana collective in Ramona has been submitted to the County of San Diego. If approved, it would be the county’s second legally licensed medical marijuana facility, situated in an industrial-zoned building at 1210 Olive Street.

By Miriam Raftery

March 15, 2015 (Ramona) - Should Ramona’s Grasslands Preserve be opened up for more public access?

Congressman Duncan Hunter’s aide, Michael Harrison, said that more access should be a “very high priority” during a meeting of the Ramona Trails Association March 3^rd, the Ramona Sentinel reports.

By Randy Zuniga

March 8, 2015 (San Diego’s East County)--Garnet Peak is a fun and easy hike with spectacular views. The amazing part about this hike is the amount of payoff for how short the hike really is. An “out and back” that is 4.4 miles long (roundtrip) with most of it along the beautiful Pacific Crest Trail. In this compact hike one experiences a picturesque summit overlooking the Anza Borrego desert, Imperial Valley, and on clear days even the Salton Sea.

Hikers find belongings 13 miles off Highway 79, north of Warner Springs

East County News Service

February 24, 2015 (San Diego) updated February 26, 2015—San Diego Search and Rescue Crews are hunting for a 28-year-old hiker, Chris Sylvia, who left Anza, California on Thursday, February 12^th to hike south on the Pacific Crest Trail for a week or more. He called a friend February 16th to meet him near Warner Springs to pickup supplies on February 17^th, but never arrived.   

His friend told authorities he assumed Sylvia had continued his hike without stopping. But when he failed to reach his final destination, Campo, Sylvia’s friend became concerned and contacted the Sheriff on February 24.

Also on the 24th, other hikers found gear including a sleeping bag, sleeping pad and backpack that appear to belong to Sylvia. His identification was also found at this site approximately 13 miles off Highgway 79, north of Warner Springs.

By Randy Zuniga

January 15, 2015 (San Diego’s East County)--Iron Mountain, located at the backside of Poway, just off of the Highway 67, stands 2,696 ft. tall. I consider this a moderate hike of about 6 miles in length and 1,000 ft. in elevation gain.  I don’t want to put a time frame on it because everyone is different and anyone could spend all day out there if they took the time to take in every sight along the journey.

By Don Rutkoff

Photo: Elaine Lyttleton, Hatfield Creek Winery