Controlled Burn at Henry Coe State Park Clouds Skies
Morgan Hill – Plumes of white smoke filled the air east of Morgan Hill Tuesday afternoon as CAL FIRE and Henry Coe State Park conducted a controlled burn in the south end of the park near Hoover Lake in the Kelly Cabin Canyon area.
The control burn, which engulfed approximately 300 acres, was completely contained within a black burn line or fire line, according to CAL FIRE command center. The goal is to burn approximately 980 acres for “range improvement.” Burning the area returns it to a “more natural state,” according to a CAL FIRE report, and keeps brush down so the next fire season – coming up in several months – there won’t be as much “fuel” for wildfires.
If weather conditions permit, the controlled burn will continue today and Thursday. Several crews were standing by during different times Tuesday afternoon to keep an eye on the blaze, and a helicopter torch was used to ignite the brush in several areas.
Supes Raise County Park Fees
Residents visiting county parks this summer will pay more to drive cars, go camping and host group picnics after the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors raised user fees on Tuesday.
The adjustments are expected to generate $278,000 in revenue for the County Parks and Recreation Department. However, fees charged for entering parks and using facilities and services only cover about 10 percent of the actual cost of operating and maintaining the parks system.
“We haven’t increased park user fees since 2005,” said Tamara Clark-Shear, spokeswoman for the Santa Clara County Parks and Recreation Department, which manages 28 parks covering 45,000 acres. “It’s time for us to make the adjustments in order to keep up with the increasing cost of operation and maintenance in this valley.”
As a result of the board’s action, a number of park fees will rise 10 to 20 percent. For example, the vehicle entry daily pass will increase from $5 to $6 per car and the camping fee will increase from $18 to $20.
“The increase of park fees are moderate and reasonable,” said Supervisor Don Gage, chair of the board. “We want to make sure that all residents are able to come and enjoy the county parks.”
The 2007 county parks fees:
- Vehicle entry daily pass – $6
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Vehicle entry annual pass – $70
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Car/tent camping – $20 per night
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Youth group overnight camping – $40
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Youth group day camp – $50 per day
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Group picnic site – $100 for one to 99
people; $150 for 100 to 149; $225 for 150 to 199
- Special event and special use permits –
$150 for one to 99 people; $300 for 100 to
500; $450 for more than 500
- Senior use of rifle/pistol range – $7
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Non-league trap/skeet range – $7
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Hourly staffing fee – $50
County Seeking Jury Candidates
The Santa Clara County Superior Court is seeking volunteers to serve on its 2007-08 civil grand jury.
Applicants must be 18 years old, have lived in the county for at least one year and be willing to serve a minimum of between 20-25 hours per week. The deadline to apply is March 5.
The term will begin on June 28, 2007.
As the county’s investigative body, the grand jury can examine all aspects of county and city governments and special districts. The jury may also look into conditions of the county’s jails and adult and juvenile detention facilities.
Details: Gloria Alicia Chacón at (408) 882-2722, or
www.sccsuperiorcourt.org/jury/gj.html.
