Re: Willow Fire Link is back!

I know this subject maybe unpleasant, however, the affects of the fire linger on. The new growth and wildflowers have been substantial, new growth out of the fire. However, the pinyon, juniper, and joshua trees take years to mature to what did exist before the fire.

The fire has also affected the access issues, resulted in fences and gates, increased law enforcement (helicopters and patrols), etc. The Bureau of Land Management have closed their land to public access for a period of three years. Based on this, the BLM are fencing the entire area and limiting access to only open routes and preparing to patrol. Numerous roads and routes have been closed to the public because of the fire.

The U. S. Forest land is open to the public. This fire has affected your right to access the area and was paid for by your tax dollars. This decision was made at a meeting on Sept. 20th 1999, with numerous key personnel present, and no minutes. No minutes to justify this extreme decision and substantial increase in their budget. The BAER (burned area emergency recovery team) did not recommend a full closure. They recommended a limited closure.