Environment 10-16

While Santa Barbara County was spared from fire dangers resulting from the sundowners that began blowing on 10/10, Ventura and Los Angeles counties were not so lucky. County Fire spokesperson Capt. Eli Iskow announced on 10/13 that area firefighters have joined with blaze-battling agencies from around the state in assisting the effort to extinguish the Marek and Sesnon fires near the border of Los Angeles and Ventura counties.

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The U.S. Forest Service has begun a year-long survey that aims to detail how people use forest land, what they do there, and how long and how often they do it. Dubbed the National Visitor Use Monitoring program, this census, of sorts, occurs every five years and the results purportedly help staff provide the best customer service possible. Polling stations will be placed on National Forest access roads and recreation area exits. (/forest1016)