Fireworks illegal on public lands and other North State areas, Forest Service announces
Find news from around Shasta County in June in the Redding news roundup.
Scroll down to read about laws regarding fireworks, a North State health center that earned accolades, fee waivers for some educators, new county appointees, free tire recycling events in Shasta County, controlled burns planned in Lassen Volcanic National Park and burn permit updates.
The Redding news roundup is published each month on redding.com. Check back for additional news throughout June.
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Fireworks illegal on public lands and other North State areas
Thursday, June 29, 2023
As guests flock to national forests and parks to play over the Fourth of July weekend, U.S. Forest Service officials cautioned people not to set off fireworks and to observe fire safety rules.
Fireworks and pyrotechnics are prohibited on all public lands, including at every campsite, the Forest Service said in an announcement issued by each North State national forest since Monday, June 26.
More than 90% of all fires are human caused, so leave fireworks at home, the announcement said.
Guests are asked to learn fire restrictions in place before starting a campfire, carry tools to extinguish campfires or sparks properly before they get out of control, and to call 911 to report wildfire.
For more information on recreating responsibly go to the United States Department of Agriculture's website at recreateresponsibly.org.
Fireworks are illegal in Shasta County and some other North State counties and towns. State restrictions apply throughout California. Go to ca-fireworks.presskit247.com for more information on restrictions and locations that allow fireworks.
― Jessica Skropanic
Cal Fire suspends burn permits in Shasta and east Trinity counties
Thursday, June 22, 2023
People who hold residential burn permits have until Sunday, July 25 to use them.
The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection announced it will suspend all 2023 burn permits for outdoor residential burning in Shasta and eastern Trinity counties, starting on Monday, June 26.
Warm temperatures and strong winds dried out vegetation that grew in abundance after the North State's wet winter and above-average snow pack, according to an announcement issued by Cal Fire officials.
That high volume of dead grass added to warming temperatures and windy weather is causing fires daily, and is making dooryard burning hazardous, prompting the ban, Shasta-Trinity Unit Chief Sean O’Hara said in the announcement.
The ban forbids all residential outdoor burning of landscape debris, including branches and leaves, O’Hara said.
Cal fire may issue restricted temporary burning permits if public health and safety warrants it, the announcement said.
Agriculture, land management, fire training, and other industrial-type burning may proceed if a Cal Fire official inspects the burn site and issues a special permit.
Agency officials asked residents to ensure they maintain a 100-foot radius of cleared defensible space around their homes and other buildings on their properties. For more information on wildfire preparation and avoidance go to ReadyForWildfire.org.
― Jessica Skropanic
Lassen plans 30-acre controlled burn near Mineral, Highway 36
Thursday, June 22, 2023
Firefighters will conduct a prescribed controlled burn over 30 acres of Lassen Volcanic National Park this week and/or next, the park announced.
The planned burn is in the Mineral Headquarters area on the western edge of the park, along East Highway 36, near the town of Mineral. It's adjacent to private residences and California Department of Transportation offices.
The area is segmented into several 5-acre burn spaces that will be burned separately to help reduce the amount of smoke and fire at any given time. The fire will be regularly staffed and monitored until it's out, park administrators said in the announcement.
Burning will take one to three days, depending on how wet the weather is in late June, according to park officials.
For additional information go to nps.gov/lavo; or visit the park on Facebook at facebook.com/LassenNPS, Twitter attwitter.com/LassenNPS,
― Jessica Skropanic
County hosts 2 free tire recycling events in June
Wednesday, June 14, 2023
The Shasta County Department of Resource Management will host two free waste tire collection events for county residents, both from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
The first is on Saturday, June 24 at the VFW Post 9650 at 3210 W Center St. in Anderson.
The second is on Sunday, June 25 at the Bella Vista Elementary School at 22661 Old Alturas Road in Bella Vista.
People can bring up to nine tires for free recycling; 10 to 20 tires if the person has a tire transportation authorization letter from the Department of Resource Management. To ask for a letter email recycle@co.shasta.ca.us.
There’s a 40-tire limit per person, per event, regardless of how many are recycled for free and how many are paid.
No large truck tires, equipment tires, off-road vehicle tires, or those from waste tire-generating businesses are accepted.
People with illegally dumped tires on their property may call the Shasta County District Attorney’s Office at-866-618-7274 for information.
Funding for the free tire collection events came from the Local Government Waste Tire Amnesty Grant Program, provided by the California Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery.
For more information on this or upcoming events, contact the Department of Resource Management at recycle@co.shasta.ca.us, 530-225-5789, or follow our Recycle Shasta Facebook page.
― Jessica Skropanic
County appoints new support services director
Wednesday, June 14, 2023
Shasta County Public Information Officer David Maung announced the appointment of Monica Fugitt as the new director of support services for the county on Wednesday, June 14.
Fugitt has worked for the county for more than 12 years, serving as assistant director of support services for the past three years. Prior to her work in support services, she was the county’s chief fiscal officer, tasked with managing budgets, risk management transactions and reports, according to .the announcement.
Fugitt earned her bachelor’s degree in business administration with an emphasis in accounting from Chico State University, and a certificate in governmental accounting from the University of Georgia.
― Jessica Skropanic
Hill Country Health selected as nonprofit of the year
Tuesday, June 13, 2023
Hill Country Health and Wellness Center was selected as the 2023 California Nonprofit of the Year for District 1 by California Senator Brian Dahle.
Hill Country is one of more than 100 nonprofits that to be honored by their state senators and assembly members for outstanding contributions to the communities they serve. The community health center with locations in Redding and Round Mountain was established in 1985 by four friends and community advocates who saw the need for a health clinic in the region.
Hill Country has continued to expand their services and “has been an integral part of the community for decades,” said Dahle.
“The entire Hill Country team works tirelessly to meet the needs of our patients and clients throughout Shasta County, Hill Country CEO Jo Campbell said.
Hill Country is one of more than 100 nonprofits to be honored through the Nonprofit of the Year initiative, which culminated with a celebratory luncheon at the state Capitol on June 7.
— Michele Chandler
Shasta Office of Education waives some fees, requirements for substitute teachers
Tuesday, June 13, 2023
The Shasta County Office of Education is waiving the applicant's portion of fingerprinting fees required to join the countywide substitute teacher list, effective July 1.
The basic skills requirement has also been waived, the office of education said in a release on Tuesday.Pay varies by school district, but is an average of $150 per day with more for long-term substitutes.Substitute teacher applicants must have a bachelor’s degree, negative tuberculosis clearance, fingerprint clearance and valid identification. People can apply to be a substitute teacher at www.shastacoe.org.
— Michele Chandler
This article originally appeared on Redding Record Searchlight: Fireworks illegal on public lands and in Shasta County
