[CPEO-MEF] Army losing burn time

[CPEO Moderator <cpeo@cpeo.org>]

Monday, October 28, 2002
Army losing burn time
WEATHER ISN'T COOPERATING FOR ORD FIRING RANGE BLAZES; Opponents aren't
disappointed
By Susanne Quick
The Californian

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Cloud cover and stiff winds are dampening the Army's plan to ignite the
former firing fields of Fort Ord.
As the heavy rains of autumn approach, a plan to burn the old ranges has
become increasingly fleeting -- at least for this year.

"If we don't start the burns soon, we might have to wait another year,"
said Dale Miller, project manager of Fire-Stop, the Granite Bay-based
civilian contractor hired to set and control the burns.

The Army's opportunity to burn is closing because the California
Department of Fish and Game has prohibited burns on the former military
base from Jan. 15 until Aug. 15.

That's a requirement mandated by state wildlife officials, so the timing
of burns mimics the natural fire-regeneration patterns of the area,
Miller said.

But, unlike the Army, local anti-burn groups are greeting this delay.

"I guess my rain dance worked," said Christine Bettencourt, founder of
Say No to Fort Ord Toxic Burning.

She said the Army's burns could be exposing local residents to poisonous
or toxic gases from the burning of unused ordnance.

This article can be viewed at:
http://www.californianonline.com/news/stories/20021028/localnews/385639.html

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