[CPEO-MEF] MUNITIONS: "Army Announces 2011 Fort Ord [CA] Prescribed Burn Cancelled"

[Lenny Siegel <lsiegel@cpeo.org>]

[In munitions response, one is never entirely surprised by surprises.  
- LS]

Army Announces 2011 Fort Ord Prescribed Burn Cancelled

Fort Ord Cleanup Program

The Army has been preparing two areas for prescribed burns in 2011 by  
cutting fuel breaks. During site preparation, two types of large  
artillery projectiles were encountered on the surface, an unexpected  
event since these types of projectiles are generally found buried  
several feet into the ground. The presence of these items on the  
ground surface makes the areas unsafe to burn. The items encountered  
require a much greater safety setback distance than had been  
anticipated. The distance required exceeds our capabilities to  
conduct a safe prescribed burn. Because of this, the vegetation must  
be cut to allow the safe removal of unexploded ordnance remaining in  
these areas.

Once the surface unexploded ordnance has been removed from the areas  
and the vegetation grows back sufficiently to carry a fire, the areas  
will be burned to ensure successful recovery of the rare, fire- 
dependant chaparral habitat.

Previously, prescribed burns have been conducted successfully and  
safely in many areas of Fort Ord to clear vegetation allowing safe  
access to locate and remove unexploded ordnance. The type of ordnance  
in the area determines safety setback distances which are then used  
to establish the width of the fuel break, as well as the height that  
helicopters igniting the fires must fly during burn operations.

Because of the specific circumstances associated with these large  
artillery projectiles found on the surface, this year’s burn  
cancellation is an exception to the Army’s program to clear the  
vegetation with prescribed burns. The Army is planning to resume the  
prescribed burn program in 2012 to support the ongoing unexploded  
ordnance cleanup program.





...

[In munitions response, one is never entirely surprised by surprises.  
- LS]

Army Announces 2011 Fort Ord Prescribed Burn Cancelled

Fort Ord Cleanup Program

The Army has been preparing two areas for prescribed burns in 2011 by  
cutting fuel breaks. During site preparation, two types of large  
artillery projectiles were encountered on the surface, an unexpected  
event since these types of projectiles are generally found buried  
several feet into the ground. The presence of these items on the  
ground surface makes the areas unsafe to burn. The items encountered  
require a much greater safety setback distance than had been  
anticipated. The distance required exceeds our capabilities to  
conduct a safe prescribed burn. Because of this, the vegetation must  
be cut to allow the safe removal of unexploded ordnance remaining in  
these areas.

Once the surface unexploded ordnance has been removed from the areas  
and the vegetation grows back sufficiently to carry a fire, the areas  
will be burned to ensure successful recovery of the rare, fire- 
dependant chaparral habitat.

Previously, prescribed burns have been conducted successfully and  
safely in many areas of Fort Ord to clear vegetation allowing safe  
access to locate and remove unexploded ordnance. The type of ordnance  
in the area determines safety setback distances which are then used  
to establish the width of the fuel break, as well as the height that  
helicopters igniting the fires must fly during burn operations.

Because of the specific circumstances associated with these large  
artillery projectiles found on the surface, this year’s burn  
cancellation is an exception to the Army’s program to clear the  
vegetation with prescribed burns. The Army is planning to resume the  
prescribed burn program in 2012 to support the ongoing unexploded  
ordnance cleanup program.

...

For the original statement and additional information, go to
http://www.fortordcleanup.com/burnprogram/



--

Lenny Siegel
Executive Director, Center for Public Environmental Oversight
a project of the Pacific Studies Center
278-A Hope St., Mountain View, CA 94041
Voice: 650/961-8918 or 650/969-1545
Fax: 650/961-8918
<lsiegel@cpeo.org>
http://www.cpeo.org

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