18 hours 7 minutes ago by KAJ News Staff

KALISPELL - Flathead National Forest officials say that weather, wind and fuel conditions are favorable this week for fire managers to conduct some prescribed burns.

Smoke will be visible from various places in the Flathead Valley, and each project will follow a Prescribed Fire Burn Plan.

The prescribed fire projects are designed to reduce the potential for adverse effects, and minimize the potential for an escape as a wildland fire, according to a news release.

The project areas scheduled include the Tally Lake Ranger District, the Hungry Horse/Glacier View Ranger District, Swan Lake Ranger District, and Spotted Bear Ranger District.

Tally Lake Ranger District:

Good Creek - This ecosystem burn project targets 142 acres of mid to upper elevation shrub and conifer near Grouse Creek. Fire suppression has caused a change in species composition resulting in an encroachment of conifers into an open shrub field. Prescribed fire will reintroduce fire to overall improve wildlife habitat and reduce the conifer encroachment.

Hungry Horse/Glacier View Ranger District:

Paint Emery Central Prescribed Burns - The prescribed 1362 acre burns on the east side of Hungry Horse Reservoir and northwest of Great Northern Mountain are part of a multi-unit wildlife habitat enhancement project. The objective identified for these burns is to create a diverse forest landscape composed of mixed tree species and stand structure, including small openings and forested areas with a diversity of tree species, shrubs, and age groups. Increased diversity and reduced downed woody material will reduce the risk of severe wildland fire and its effects on resources in the area.

Firefighter Mountain Prescribed Burns - The objective of this 295 acre project on the east side Hungry Horse Reservoir on and adjacent to Firefighter Mountain is to change forest structure and density to portions of the treatment area by applying low to moderate intensity fire. The expected outcome will restore and enhance grass and shrub components, make the area more productive for ungulates and other foraging wildlife, and curb wildland fire spread by reducing fuel loadings and tree density in the forest area.

Excerpt from:
Flathead National Forest plans prescribed burns

RESIDENTS of Waterview Heights, west of Grafton, are being called on this spring to keep a lookout for Shane, a koala who is back on his home turf after a confrontation with a german shepherd in October last year.

WIRES is urging anyone who might see a very large koala with an orange tag in his left ear and a defining hind-leg limp to call the WIRES hotline, 66434055, with the date, time and location of the sighting.

Shane first came into the care of Clarence Valley WIRES on October 6 last year after tangling with the dog on Wattle Drive.

Named after the owner who promptly called WIRES then helped to get him out of his garden shrub, the koala was found to be a big 8kg, six-year-old boy with a few bite marks on his rump and a broken left hind foot from in the attack.

He was also found to have a previously broken tibia (shinbone), but otherwise was in the best of health.

Once safely in a carry basket, the incredible network that would save Shane's life raced into action.

He was rushed to the Clarence Valley vet clinic for a first crucial dose of antibiotics against infection, and by afternoon was at the Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary under care at the wonderful wildlife hospital that is second-to-none anywhere in the world.

By morning he was in the hands of the dedicated vets at the Irwins' Australian Wildlife Hospital, where his badly crushed toe was amputated and he was to spend the next seven months undergoing prolonged monitoring and treatment for a wound that stubbornly refused to heal.

As a large dominant male Shane could only be returned to his original home territory, and as close as possible to his pick-up site.

After a further many hours in a cramped basket returning to Grafton, a travel-weary and grumpy Shane was finally freed at dusk on May 23 into a favourite forest red gum tree on Mulligan Drive, some 400m from where he was found.

See the original post here:
Dog-mauled koala released back into the wild

About 60 to 70 percent of trees in Powell are ash of one kind or another. Around 500 of those are city-maintained trees, according to Parks Superintendent Del Barton, who also is the city arborist.

But Les Koch, Wyoming State Forestry Division forest health program leader in Cheyenne said the ash borer may or may not arrive in Powell.

Yes, its possible, I would say distinctly low-risk at this time, Koch said.

Boulder is the only place this side of the Mississippi River that the ash borer has been discovered. And, its being contained.

As of this date, the insect has not been detected in Wyoming, Koch said.

There are thousands of privately owned ash trees in Powell, Barton said. All are at risk from the small bugs with the metallic green shell.

Emerald ash borer eggs are laid on the outer bark of trees. After the eggs hatch, the larvae burrow beneath the bark. The larvae eat phloem, the nutrient-transporting system under the bark, and that creates tunnel-like galleries.

As more galleries are eaten, the tree soon begins to exhibit symptoms of dieback (begins to die), including thinning and dying treetops, and sprouting from the base or trunk.

It costs $1 per circumference inch to treat a tree, likely with a chemical known as imidacloprid. If the trees range from 20- to 40-inch circumference, thats $20 to $40 per tree.

Estimating about 500 public ash trees, the math shows the cost at $10,000 to $20,000 per year just for the imidacloprid, Barton said.

Continued here:
Its pretty devastating; Ash tree killer could be coming, says parks director

8/31/2014

MEMBERS OF Boy Scout Troop 556, sponsored by St. Paul's United Methodist Church, stop for a roadside lunch en route from Ponca City to Altomito, Colo., and the trail head to Red Lake. Making the trip were Scout Master Lowry Blakeburn; Assistant Scout Master David Parks; Committee Chairman Jason Hicks; Zac Ladner, Brady Ladner, Austin Hicks, Michael Hooper, Christian Branch, Noah Henley and Devon Brannon.

BOY SCOUT Brady Ladner pauses for a starting-line selfie with his father Zac Ladner. They were joined by three adults and five other Boy Scouts for a week-long hike and camping trip to south central Colorado's Red Lake.

ZAC LADNER captured this image of the trail as the troop and their leaders set out on the first morning of the hike. Brady Ladner would soon begin feeling the effects of Acute Mountain Sickness.

ZAC LADNER used his cell phone cameras GPS settings to capture the latitude and longitude coordinates of the locations he photographed while he and 11-year-old son Brady Ladner were lost in the southern Colorado Rockies. Once safely home, the Pioneer Technology Center BITE program instructor used a satellite image of the terrain to pinpoint their route.

THICK TANGLES of brush made hiking very difficult. Zac took this image after the pair crossed the top of the waterfall (out of sight behind the jutting rock face) and made the white-knuckle climb down the jagged cliff. Zacs greatest fear was either Brady or he sustaining serious injury without finding help.

FROM LEFT, Brady Ladner, rescuer John, and Zac Ladner take a commemorative photograph as the Ladners unexpected wilderness trek comes to an end at Trujillo Meadows Reservoir. The Ladners spent three nights and three and a half days lost in the Colorado wilderness below Red Lake.

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The Hindu Dr. Thilagavathi

Dr. Thilagavathi was very happy with her new posting as assistant professor, Botany, at Queen Mary's College. Tiruchi was home-town but Chennai had a beach for walks. She found a house in Santhome, and was soon on the Marina promenade at sunrise. But I never managed to walk beyond the Queen Marys College gates, she said. The campus looked like a forest from across the road. I wanted to check out the trees and the shrubs. What kind of vegetation resisted the salty breeze so well?

On those walks, she gave herself a daily quiz identify each tree, shrub and herb. She was thrilled when she could, took pictures when she couldn't, and rushed home to find out. Three years later, her project was complete: she now knew the 17 acres of the campus was crowded with 258 plants of which 49 were trees. Herbs, shrubs, grasses, sedges and climbers made up the rest. She could identify every one of them.

It is a case of curiosity growing into a hobby she said, when I met her in the staffroom. To coincide with QMC's centenary this year, she decided to compile the campus greenery into a glossy what better way to salute the grand old lady than to record her green cover that surely pre-dated her? Here it is, she said, and pulled out the 320-page tome she has named Flora of Queen Mary's College.

The book is comprehensive with tables of botanical/family/common/vernacular names of the flora, maps, a note on plant-diversity, a pie-chart of family names and spooky snap-shots of trees and climbers around the old buildings that bring out the forest ambience spectacularly. Every subsequent page tells the story of a tree/shrub/herb with pictures and information on its name, use, special qualities.

But even a book like this can't beat a walk in the woods. We step out, Dr. Thilagavathi leading the way stopping, pointing, narrating how she discovered their names, properties and coastal claims an enthusiastic mom promoting her kids. Ear-leaf acacia, she says, pointing to a gnarled collection of trunks and leaves. Called pencil maram, used for furniture, the species grows well in sandy regions and prevents soil erosion. The jamun tree grows all down the coast. We stop to look at the shampoo/soap-nut tree (Sapindus emarginatus), the anti-inflammatory Premna corymbosa (I saw it only in this campus,), the seasonal Indian ash tree (Lannea coromandelica, udiyamaram trunk used for ship-building and the bark, for ulcer/wound treatment), Jamaica cherry (wild, edible red fruit) again seen only on this campus, silver oak in front of the English department new, didn't see it last year, lead tree that grows only on sand consulted the Internet for identification, 15 sausage trees definitely coastal and common to the city. Looming ahead are Coomb tree (kumadi), sandy again, eucalyptus and bulletwood (magizhampoo).

We talk of ficus a street in Mylapore is lined with them, an only-in-Chennai phenomenon, she said. The tall ornamental shrub on the Marina is Plumeria alba. With leaves at the tip of stalks, it can withstand sea-breeze. Munnai (Premna corymbosa) is used while cooking fish, while Guazuma ulmifolia (faux rudhraksh, pickle-nut) has fine surface hair that can catch metal particles and absorb it. They make excellent avenue trees, but need care during rains. There is the threateningly-named devil-pepper/be-still/wild-snake-root (Rauvolfia tetraphylla) tree, aanaikundumani (Adenanthera pavonina symbol of love in China), whose seeds are used as jeweller's weight, siris (vaagai) (the bark is used to treat bronchitis, and the seeds for piles), neem, punnai, nettilingam, and among herbs, argemone that grows in profusion.

We cover every inch of the campus: we squeeze through a wicket gate to the abandoned old building at the back where every tree/shrub (one is Pisonia alba) is 100-plus. We climb down steps in the front to check out the grove of temple trees. Why is this area at a lower level? she asks and answers: undulating sand dunes, maybe. Walking through the shrubs and vines, she bends and picks passiflora (passion) fruits. Eat these, they taste superb! I wait to make sure of the reaction. I'm already pleasantly woozy. We move towards the canteen for a darshan of the tree of life (tree of trees). A couple of branches have been chopped off, but Dr. Thilagavathi is consoled that we can see the beautiful patterns on the trunk. This is high-density wood, Lignum vitae, the leaves are medicinal.

A 100 saplings were planted on the campus to mark the centenary. That's enough material for her next book.

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The Queen and her green canopy

Son of the Scray: Jenny and Joe Giansiracusa made several interstate trips a year to watch Daniel, who is retiring at 32. Photo: Getty Images

Jenny and Joe Giansiracusa were leaving Etihad Stadium last weekend when the vastness of their football journey flashed before their eyes.

"There was a little boy sobbing, his Mum and Dad trying to console him, and he was just devastated," Jenny says of a young Western Bulldogs fan, distraught after another loss, pleading for the Sydney theme song to stop. "It reminded us so much of Daniel."

Way back at the beginning, little Daniel Giansiracusa wore a Hawthorn jumper and relentlessly dragged his father into an Altona cul-de-sac of modest brick veneers, in front of the house where his parents still live, a football under a slender arm, a child's fantasies swimming around his head. The gap between the light pole and a nature strip tree was the goals, and he'd commentate every kick, dreaming of where it might take him. "He knew all these stats," Joe says, "and he had dialogue."

Sometimes the neighbours got vocal too. "We'd get a phone call saying he'd knocked another shrub over," Jenny laughs.

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Football consumed him then as it still does, and his parents went along for the ride. "He made me sew a flag the size of a table, brown and yellow squares, so big he couldn't lift it," Jenny says. From the very back of the top deck at Waverley he hauled it skyward, father clinging to son and flag lest they both be blown away.

"And they lost," Jenny says, "and he was just devastated."

There will be sadness on Sunday, too, as a greying 32-year-old husband and father of two does the only thing that little boy in a quiet Altona street could imagine - for the last time. Jenny and Joe know their journey will end too, and they give thanks for every step.

Within the space of two generations, their son has added an unforeseen shimmy to the family lineage. Joe Giansiracusa's father left Sicily in 1932 and settled in Balranald aged 17. He and his brothers were market gardeners; sport - even Olympic games and world events - didn't register with them. "They just weren't interested."

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Giansiracusa takes the final step

Jenny and Joe Giansiracusa were leaving Etihad Stadium last weekend when the vastness of their football journey flashed before their eyes.

"There was a little boy sobbing, his Mum and Dad trying to console him, and he was just devastated," Jenny says of a young Western Bulldogs fan, distraught after another loss, pleading for the Sydney theme song to stop. "It reminded us so much of Daniel."

Way back at the beginning, little Daniel Giansiracusa wore a Hawthorn jumper and relentlessly dragged his father into an Altona cul-de-sac of modest brick veneers, in front of the house where his parents still live, a football under a slender arm, a child's fantasies swimming around his head. The gap between the light pole and a nature strip tree was the goals, and he'd commentate every kick, dreaming of where it might take him. "He knew all these stats," Joe says, "and he had dialogue."

Sometimes the neighbours got vocal too. "We'd get a phone call saying he'd knocked another shrub over," Jenny laughs.

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Football consumed him then as it still does, and his parents went along for the ride. "He made me sew a flag the size of a table, brown and yellow squares, so big he couldn't lift it," Jenny says. From the very back of the top deck at Waverley he hauled it skyward, father clinging to son and flag lest they both be blown away.

"And they lost," Jenny says, "and he was just devastated."

There will be sadness on Sunday, too, as a greying 32-year-old husband and father of two does the only thing that little boy in a quiet Altona street could imagine - for the last time. Jenny and Joe know their journey will end too, and they give thanks for every step.

Within the space of two generations, their son has added an unforeseen shimmy to the family lineage. Joe Giansiracusa's father left Sicily in 1932 and settled in Balranald aged 17. He and his brothers were market gardeners; sport - even Olympic games and world events - didn't register with them. "They just weren't interested."

Jenny's brothers played local footy for Landsborough in between working the farm, three generations tending Wimmera sheep, cattle and crops. "I was never sporty. My sporting interest started with Daniel in the under-10s."

Read more from the original source:
Bulldogs veteran Daniel Giansiracusa takes the final step of a family's football journey

A family of five is temporarily homeless following a fire that was caused by a lightning strike at their home Sunday night.

Newmanstown, Richland's Neptune and Myerstown's Keystone and Goodwill fire companies and Newmanstown ambulance were dispatched at 7:54 p.m. to 128 Sweetwater Lane. Firefighters found the roof on fire.

"It was pretty much dead center of the roof," Newmanstown Fire Chief Scott Wolfe said. "(Fire) got into the void of space in the roof and really took off. We had to pull the (second-floor) ceiling off first to get in there."

There were no injuries.

The family included two adults and three children.

Wolfe estimated damage in excess of $60,000, with most of the damage to the second floor and roof.

Some firefighters remained on the scene until about midnight.

Crews were sent out for a reburn at 10:31 a.m. Monday. All but Newmanstown firefighters were released 10 minutes later.

ODOR OF SMOKE >> Bunker Hill, Ono and Jonestown's Perseverance fire companies responded at 2:58 p.m. Monday to Jonestown Health Center, 100 E. Queen St.

SPILL CONTROL >> Union Water Works responded at 2 p.m. Monday to Russell Drive and Hill Church Road.

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Police log: Family driven from home by lightning-fired blaze

Lawn Care Acworth, Ga - Sharplawns Turf Care
Sharplawns Turf Care offers quality lawn care treatment, Tree and Shrub Treatment and Mosquito Control in Dallas, Acworth, Woodstock and Kennesaw.

By: brad cranshaw

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Lawn Care Acworth, Ga - Sharplawns Turf Care - Video

Experts address myths about poison oak, poison ivy and poison sumac

With summer temperatures luring us outdoors, scientists with the Weed Science Society of America say its a great time for refresher course on poison oak, poison ivy and poison sumac. All three thrive during summer months and are known to trigger highly irritating skin rashes that can last for many days.

When you look at the thousands of people exposed each year and at the misery a rash can produce, poison oak, poison ivy and poison sumac certainly rank among the most notorious weeds in the nation, says Lee Van Wychen, Ph.D., WSSA science policy director.

All three belong to the Toxicodendron genus and produce irritating urushiol oils. When urushiol comes in contact with the skin of sensitive individuals, itching and watery blisters will follow.

Poison oak and poison ivy in particular are common fixtures in many outdoor landscapes, often tucked among other native vegetation and growing as either a low shrub or trailing vine. Both produce small, whitish green flowers in the spring, followed by small berries in the summer. Birds enjoy the seeds and help to spread the weeds into new areas.

Poison sumac is rarer, and tends to be found primarily in wetlands. This characteristic is one of several differences among the three weed species and where they are found.

Poison oak grows as a low shrub in eastern and southern states and in tall clumps or long vines on the Pacific Coast. Fuzzy green leaves grow in clusters of three. It may have yellow or green flowers and clusters of green-yellow or white berries.

Poison ivy is found nationwide, with the exception of Alaska, Hawaii and some portions of the western coastline. Each leaf includes three glossy leaflets that vary in color (and sometimes shape) throughout the yearred in spring, green in summer and yellow, orange or red in the fall. It can grow as a shrub or as hairy, ropelike vines sometimes seen growing up the sides of trees.

Poison sumac grows as a woody shrub or small tree primarily in the eastern half of the U.S. Leaves feature multiple pairs of leaflets that have a smooth, velvet-like texture. Flowers and fruit are similar to those produced by poison oak or poison ivy, but hang in loose clusters.

Misinformation about poison oak, poison ivy and poison sumac abounds, making it important to separate fact from fiction.

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Experts address myths about poison oak, poison ivy and poison sumac