** Critical fire restrictions in place for public lands through 4th of July holiday
------------------------------------------------------------
Thursday, July 1, 2021
Source: @NIFC_Fire ([link removed])

As Americans look forward to celebrating the 4th of July holiday this weekend, public land managers across the country are busily reminding people of the critical fire restrictions in place to protect public safety, property, and natural areas from the threat of wildfire.

Beginning today ([link removed]) , several Bureau of Land Management (BLM) field offices are increasing seasonal fire restrictions (including banning campfires, barbeques, or open fires) that will remain in effect until further notice due to extreme temperatures and very dry fuels across many Western states. Fire management officials are also reminding people about existing prohibitions ([link removed]) for the use of fireworks on public lands.

The National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC) says ([link removed]) that 47 wildfires have burned 667,566 acres in 12 states already, and more than 7,200 wildland firefighters and support personnel are currently assigned to incidents.

BLM Utah State Fire Management Officer Chris Delaney said ([link removed]) , “This fire season has ramped up so quickly that we are already concerned about burning out our firefighters and running out of resources. Already this year, about 370 wildfires have been human-caused in Utah. This means that 76% of the wildfires could have been prevented. We need everyone to use Fire Sense ([link removed]) and follow the current fire restrictions to help protect communities and prevent devastating wildfires.”
Quick hits


** U.S. Catholic bishops to assist with Interior's review of indigenous boarding schools
------------------------------------------------------------

Religion News Service ([link removed])


** Spending bill would force National Park Service to tackle plastic pollution
------------------------------------------------------------

E&E News ([link removed])


** Fire restrictions on public lands through 4th of July holiday weekend
------------------------------------------------------------

ABC4 Utah ([link removed]) | News Radio KLIX Idaho ([link removed]) | BLM.gov ([link removed]) | This Is Reno ([link removed]) | Grand Coulee Star ([link removed]) | NBCKing5 ([link removed]) | Yubanet.com ([link removed]) | Big Horn Radio Network ([link removed]) | NBC
News Center 1 ([link removed]) | Portland News Radio 1190 KEX ([link removed])


** Zion National Park reopens after flash floods
------------------------------------------------------------

Associated Press ([link removed]) | E&E News ([link removed]) | KJZZ ([link removed])


** Wave of reckoning for oil and gas companies buried in lawsuits for environmental harm caused by fossil fuels
------------------------------------------------------------

The Guardian ([link removed])


** National parks that are heavy on nature, low on crowds
------------------------------------------------------------

Boston Globe ([link removed])


** Wildlife officials hope to reintroduce nearly-extinct black-footed ferrets to the Southwest
------------------------------------------------------------

Carlsbad Current-Argus ([link removed])


** Opinion: Southwest Montana's natural, cultural riches deserve protection
------------------------------------------------------------

Montana Standard ([link removed])
Quote of the day
It's clear that public land management plans are inadequate and have to address the natural and cultural assets of this special place. The Bureau of Land Management, which manages 893,800 surface acres of public land and 1.3 million acres of subsurface mineral acres of public resources in our corner of the state, last revised its management plan for the Dillon Planning Area in 2006. We live in a drastically different time now than we did then, and that management plan simply cannot keep up with the needs and demands of today and beyond."
—Wade Fellin ([link removed]) , program director for Upper Missouri Waterkeeper & owner/outfitter of Big Hole Lodge
Picture this


** @SecDebHaaland ([link removed])
------------------------------------------------------------
As we close out #GreatAmericanOutdoorsMonth ([link removed]) , I hope everyone has had a chance to enjoy the incredible outdoor opportunities @Interior ([link removed]) has to offer. We'll keep working to make the outdoors accessible for everyone. #TeamPublicLands ([link removed])

============================================================
** Twitter ([link removed])
** Facebook ([link removed])
** Medium ([link removed])
** Instagram ([link removed])
Copyright © 2021 Center for Western Priorities, All rights reserved.
You've signed up to receive Look West updates.

Center for Western Priorities
1999 Broadway
Suite 520
Denver, CO 80202
USA
** View this on the web ([link removed])

Want to change how you receive these emails?
You can ** update your preferences ([link removed])
or ** unsubscribe from this list ([link removed])