News Release

For Release:  Jan. 22, 2009              
Contact:  David Christy, (916) 985-4474
CA-CC-09-27

BLM Continues Fire Rehab Work in Mariposa County

Crews from the Bureau of Land Management's Folsom Field Office and helicopter crews under contract to BLM will spread straw on the Sherlock Creek/Mosher Road area in Mariposa County starting next week, weather permitting. The work is being done to prevent erosion in areas burned in last summer's Telegraph Fire.

"People traveling in the area are should use caution due to the helicopters and other equipment in use," said Brian Mulhollen, BLM fuels management specialist.

BLM has accomplished a significant amount of work to date to limit resource damage from the fire, he added.

In August and September, crews did rehabilitation work in the Rancheria Creek area in the wild and scenic Merced River corridor to stabilize soils and repair bulldozer tracks and other damage. Crews built water bars and covered burned ground with native vegetation and weed-free straw.

Crews also installed about 30 culverts on the Burma Grade and Bull Creek roads. In the latest phase of the rehabilitation work, 1,000 bales of straw have been spread for erosion control, leaving another 7,000  to be spread. Monitoring and additional work as needed is planned for the next several years.

For more information, call Mulhollen at the BLM's Folsom Field Office at (916) 985-4474.

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