Peaceful Edge Photography

Fire season started early this year. It's only July and I am back from my 3rd (back-to-back) fire assignment. The Lake Fire, in the footprint of the 2008 Zaca Fire is in rugged country, adjacent to the San Refael Wilderness ... If all goes well, in about a week from now, I'll be back initiating the Burn Area Emergency Response (BAER) Assessment ...

After working on this one for nearly 2 weeks, 16-18 hours a-day, I think I earned a few days of rest at home ... The one good thing that comes out of these intense assignments is being disconnected from the news and media … I wonder what I missed … 😉

And back from where we started ... The Sawtooth Mountains, Idaho

Last day on the river ... all the way down to the confluence of the Middle Fork and the main Salmon River ... exiting the Frank Church--River of No Return Wilderness, Idaho ... Thank you Idaho River Journeys for a great trip!! 🙌

After 20 years in my U.S. Forest Service carrier, and 14 years working as the Minerals & Geology Program Manager for the Los Padres National Forest, it is time for a temporary change. This last week I started a new position as the US Forest Service - Pacific Southwest Region (R-5) Minerals & Geology Program Lead. This is an exciting opportunity for me !! Below are some basic facts about the Pacific Southwest Region of the U.S. Forest Service.

The Pacific Southwest:
The Pacific Southwest Region of the US Forest Service manages over 20 million acres (32,504 square miles or 84,185 square kilometers) of National Forest land in California and assists the State and Private Forest landowners in California, Hawaii, and the U.S. Affiliated Pacific Islands. Eighteen National Forests are in this region, spreading along the North Coast, Cascade, and Sierra Nevada ranges and from Big Sur to the Mexican border in the south Coast range.

The Pacific South Region (R-5) includes 65 Wilderness areas (4,920,774 acres); 29 Wild & Scenic Rivers; 4,416,000 acres of Roadless Areas; two National Monuments (incorporating 600,000 acres); 46,395 miles of road; 16,202 miles of trails; 35,623,000 Recreation site visits; 25 Ski areas; 515 active grazing allotments; Supplies 35-million-acre feet of water (47% of California’s water supply) to the State of California.

Pacific Island Partners include the State of Hawaii, American Samoa, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Republic of Palau.

Cultural Connections: With 109 federally recognized tribes in California, the U.S. Forest Service in the Pacific Southwest Region encompasses almost 20% of the 574 federally recognized tribes in the nation — the most of any Forest Service region. Additionally, there are over 50 more non-federally recognized tribes in the state who have cultural interest in our National Forests.

Epic single track trails ... South Lake Tahoe, California ...

Organic eggs for sale ! Let me know if you are interested. Thanks

With all the sadness and suffering that is taking place now in Israel, Gaza and other places around the world, this year i could have not imagined i could enjoy or appreciate my birthday. But then came this long weekend, which started with a 61 + miles (98.5 km) bike ride, representing 59 spins around the sun and a couple extra miles just for good measures. Following days were spent with friends, surfing at sunrise and receiving good wishes and love from friends all over the world. It ended up being a great weekend with pleasure, love and fun. A obvious sign that Love ❤️ wins !!! Thank you to all my friends and family that rained me with love and good wishes. The only way to survive these difficult days is to sourround your self with Love ❤️. Thank you 🙏

The last few weeks, since the horrific attack on Israel, have been realy tough and incredibly sad. This week is the girls Fall Break and we are in Lake Tahoe for the week, recreating around the lake. It is weird to be on vacation while my home country is at war, but I guess life goes on... To all my family and friends in Israel know you are on my mind 24 / 7. 💔

On my way to another wildfire assignment, a quick hike in the Redwood National Park ... walking amoung these gentle giants ...

Redwood National Park hike Check out my activity on Strava.

Back in Crescent City (northern California), writing a geology hazard report for the Smith River Fire Complex ...

This is hoe this landscape (northern California just below Oregon) looks like before and after a wildlife ... and in between ...