#brian head fire

[mypubliclands]

BLM Utah ranger works with partners to rescue and release eagle

Last Friday, Eddie the eagle was released back to the wild in dedication to the Brian Head firefighters.

The young, female, golden eagle was rescued from the depths of a Utah slot canyon i nearly a month ago by BLM Ranger Mike Thompson and Utah Canyon Outdoors owner Caitlin Clery. Originally found by Caitlin’s husband on a guided hike, the company did the right thing by contacting the BLM.

"We hiked in as fast as we could in the afternoon heat and entered the slot canyon from the bottom, not sure how far up the eagle might be trapped. Within a few bends of narrow, twisting canyon and a small up climb, I poked my head around the corner and SURPRISE! There he was. He seemed massive. Even in his poor condition he was as big as a turkey. We later learned he was born this year, only a baby,” said Clery.

The rescue duo wrapped the eagle in a loose blanket to avoid overheating while protecting themselves from the talons and beak. After carrying her out of the slot canyon, she was transported to the Southwest Wildlife Foundation (SWF) located in Cedar City, Utah, and put in the care of raptor specialist Martin Tyner.

“She was emaciated and atrophied,” Thompson said. “Her muscles, her breast muscles were gone. She was trying to flex her wings, but I was amazed she lasted that long. It wouldn’t have made it another day.”

Thousands watched via Facebook-Live as Eddie prepared for takeoff at the top of Brian Head Peak. But before she was released to the wild, Martin Tyner announced her dedication. “This eagle is for all the firefighters that have risked their lives to save our lives and property, and we’re incredibly grateful to them for that,” said Tyner.

The human-caused Brian Head Fire started on June 17, 2017 and burned over 70,000 acres of mixed conifer and pinyon/juniper forest. Over 350 wildland firefighters from across the country fought the flames, saving personal property, human life, and natural resources.

See the Facebook Live video of the release.

Watch Eddie's recovery.

Photos of rescue taken by Caitlin Clery. Photos of release taken by U.S. Forest Service - Dixie National Forest. Facebook Live Video taken by Christian Venhuizen.

[southwestadventures]

overlooking the fire scar from the 2017 Brian Head Fire

[kevinthescoutblogger]

A Grand Scouting Tradition: Hand-carved Bolo Ties

A Grand Scouting Tradition: Hand-carved Bolo Ties

Kevin the Scout Blogger

By Kevin V. Hunt 

Part 1 of a 2-Part Blog Article Originally published in The Boy Scout  (the official blog of the Utah National Parks Council and located at Utah Scouts – blog.utahscouts.org) on September 19, 2017

Yes, a grand Scouting Tradition is that of wearing hand-carved bolo ties.  Wearing such a bolo tie has always been me.  And I have a collection of 20 or so…

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[kevinthescoutblogger]

California, Here we Come ... Ready for a High Sierra Adventure at Camp Oljato

California, Here we Come … Ready for a High Sierra Adventure at Camp Oljato

KevintheScout Blogger

Written by Kevin V. Hunt

June 23, 2018

Once again, it is that time of year.  School is out for my wife, Lou and me, and we have looked with great anticipation to the summer ahead.  And the temperatures of our home town of Mesa, Arizona are beginning to reach well over a hundred.   And that is way too hot … especially when we keep our air conditioning thermostat at just under…

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