News and reports from the Department of the Interior.

Valles Caldera National Preserve has extended the time vehicles can travel the entire backcountry route from October 31 to November 15.

The Casa Grande Ruins Speaker Series takes place weekly through January 18, 2023. On November 9, 2022 Casa Grande Ruins will host Precious Vicente at 1:00 pm.

At approximately 9:00 p.m., October 28th, 2022, Newton County Sherriff’s Office received a report of an overdue hiker. Clinton “Preston” Smith, age 67 from Baton Rouge, LA, was reported missing after failing to return from an October 27th planned hike on the Hemmed-in-Hollow Trail in Buffalo National River, Newton County, AR. Mr. Smith was last seen wearing blue jeans and a black shirt.

Weather permitting, the Bureau of Land Management Ely District this Tuesday through Friday, November 8-11, will burn slash piles of pinyon pine and juniper on public lands near Cattle Camp, Horse Camp, and Monument and Basque canyons in south Steptoe Valley.

The Bureau of Land Management Monticello Field Office and U.S. Department of Agriculture Manti-La Sal National Forest will host a public meeting of the Bears Ears National Monument Advisory Committee on Dec. 7, 2022, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., with public comments accepted at 1:30 p.m.

Fire managers from the Bureau of Land Management’s Colorado River District are planning to conduct prescribed burning at Senator Wash North Shore recreation area, 17 miles north of Yuma, between mid- October and December, as weather and fuel conditions allow.

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) High Desert District (HDD) plans to conduct slash pile prescribed burns on multiple lands managed by the Pinedale Field Office and associated partners this fall and winter.

In support of ensuring access to reliable high-speed internet service for every American and enhancing the reliability, security, and resiliency of the electric power grid, the Bureau of Land Management is proposing to update its regulations for the construction and operation of broadband infrastructure on public lands.

Cyclists celebrated the official opening of a downhill optimized trail last weekend at the Johnny Behind the Rocks (JBR) Trail System southeast of Lander. JBR, managed by the Bureau of Land Management Lander Field Office, is a popular non-motorized, multiple use trail area with opportunities for all skill levels.

The Bureau of Land Management is seeking public input on proposals to use prescribed fire and mechanized equipment to reduce hazardous vegetation and improve wildfire resilience on 170 acres of BLM-managed public lands near the Big Chico Creek Ecological Preserve and Forest Ranch, and 248 acres near Phoenix Hill along Forbestown Road close to the communities of Oroville and Hurleton in Butte County.

The Bureau of Land Management, Carson City District, will begin selling Christmas tree permits on Monday, November 14. The permit is valid from the date of purchase through December 25.

The Bureau of Land Management is reducing services at Trinity River campgrounds in preparation for a winter closure later this month.

The Battle Mountain District Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is currently selling Christmas Tree Permits for personal use at two different locations, Battle Mountain and Tonopah, until December 23, 2022.

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Tucson Field Office is offering free firewood permits for collecting downed wood at the Las Cienegas National Conservation Area (LCNCA), November 7, 2022-March 31, 2023.

Fire restrictions have been lifted for Bureau of Land Management administered public lands in Goshen County.