Sierra:
–Snowbrains is reporting that, “It’s been three months since the Caldor Fire began, which blazed across three counties, El Dorado, Amador, and Alpine, and covered over 200,000 acres. The fire destroyed thousands of homes and structures, damaged ski areas like Sierra-at-Tahoe, and injured multiple people. After a joint investigation from The El Dorado County District Attorney’s Office, USDA Forest Service, Cal Fire, the California Department of Justice, and the Sacramento County District Attorney’s Crime Lab, the El Dorado County District Attorney has announced the arrest of the suspected arsons.” To read more, click here.
–In more depressing news, the Sierra snowpack could be gone within 50-years. To read about it, click here.
Desert Southwest:
–The US Department of the Interior is reporting that, “National Park Service special agents with the Investigative Services Branch are working to identify potential female victims of surreptitious recordings taken in bathroom facilities in the backcountry of Grand Canyon National Park. In September 2020, park visitors at Phantom Ranch reported that they believed a maintenance worker had recorded them while using a toilet. The individual was subsequently fired and removed from the park. For the past year, agents have been working to identify the scope of the suspect’s activity. At this time, there is no indication that these images were shared or distributed by the suspect. This remains an active and open criminal matter. At the same time, the Department is conducting an internal review.” To read more, click here.
–There is a move afoot to make Spirit Mountain and Christmas Tree Pass in Nevada, a new national monument. Christmas Tree Pass is home to a number of rock climbs, with rock formations similar to Joshua Tree. To read more, click here.
Colorado and Utah:
