Michigan: firefighters have Blue Lakes Fire 75% contained, drones deployed to map hot spots

The Blue Lakes Fire in the northern Lower Peninsula now is 75 percent contained and estimated at about 2,200 acres, according to the Michigan Department of Natural Resources.

Some closed roads in the fire area also have been reopened, said Kerry Heckman, DNR fire public information officer.

DNR firefighters and cooperating agencies have been working since Friday to contain the fire, which covers portions of Montmorency and Cheboygan counties. It has been determined that the fire originated with a Wednesday lightning strike that smoldered for a few days before spreading into dry fuels, resulting in a wildfire. The fire was reported about 12:40 p.m. Friday.

Heckman said that containment doesn’t necessarily mean the fire is out, but rather that it is unlikely to spread beyond the containment lines. These are areas where firefighters have been able to plow a line down to bare earth (removing all fire fuels) around that portion of the fire.

“There may still be hot spots within the contained area,” she said. In the case of the Blue Lakes Fire, the uncontained portion of the fire line is primarily in low, wet areas that are difficult for firefighters to reach. Crews will be working today in those areas to connect gaps in the containment line.

Estimating a fire’s size

Fires are mapped throughout the duration, and acreage is estimated. The 2,200 acres being reported today is smaller than Sunday’s estimate due to improved mapping with firefighters on the ground using a variety of tools, Heckman said. Read more

Wildlife

Beretta Launches New APX A1 FS Pistol

Accokeek, MD – Beretta is pleased to announce the launch of a new family of semi-automatic pistols – the APX A1 – the next evolution of striker-fired pistols made by the longest-standing name in firearms. Built on the heritage of the original APX platform that passed MHS testing for the US Army, the APX A1 delivers a crisp, class-dominating trigger, improved ergonomics, aggressive slide serrations, and MRDS Optics cuts right out of the box.

The ultimate convergence of form, function, and fortitude, the Beretta APX A1 takes the proven ergonomics, reliability, and accuracy of the APX family and delivers a superior firing solution – from the casual shooter to the most demanding professionals in the world.

“Building on Beretta’s knowledge and history of performance, the APX A1 offers the most competitive feature set available today on the market,” Nicola Lorenzi, Pistol Product Manager, said. “The APX A1 takes the proven ergonomics and reliability of the APX family to the next level with integrated features derived from feedback from military, law enforcement, and tactical shooters. It aims for the highest levels in performance, safety, and quality to operate for any shooter in the field.” Read more

Firearms

ZH50 Variable Powered Thermal Imager

Fort Worth, TX – iRayUSA, a Texas-based designer, manufacturer, and distributor of premium thermal night vision devices, is proud to announce a line extension of the popular ZOOM Series with the addition of the ZH50. InfiRay Outdoor’s latest offering, the ZOOM ZH50, brings exciting innovation to the commercial thermal market; 4X variable optical zoom lens, an algorithm based shutterless non-uniformity correction feature and a 20X magnification eyepiece with full HD 1440×1080 resolution AMOLED display.

The ZH50 features InfiRay’s patented dual-field-of-view design allowing users to seamlessly switch between a wide field of view (FOV) for detection, and a narrow FOV for target identification. The ZH50 transitions optically from a base 2X magnification to 4X with an intuitive twist of the objective focus ring and maintains 100 percent of the sensor’s native 640×512 resolution.

The ZOOM Series offers a software based non-uniformity correction (NUC) feature. Unlike standard non-uniformity correction, which uses a shutter or lens cap, the ZOOM Series features InfiRay’s shutterless NUC algorithm, which is completely silent, requires no user input and allows for unmatched battery life.

The ZOOM Series also features an AMOLED viewing display in full HD 1440×1080 resolution to provide the most clarity possible. Additionally, images and live video can be transferred wirelessly via the ultra-fast InfiRay Outdoor app or can be recorded onboard with the ZOOM’s 32gb of internal storage. Read more

Optics

Bushnell Announces New BackTrack Mini GPS

New Handheld GPS is Ideal for Backcountry Hunters

OVERLAND PARK, Kan. –– Bushnell®, an industry leader in performance optics, has announced the BackTrack Mini GPS, a purpose-built and portable navigation tool that’s ideal for hunters and long-range shooters. The BackTrack Mini is loaded with features to give outdoorsmen and women critical intel while in the field, all conveniently accessible in a lightweight, easy to carry design.

Using GPS satellite technology, the BackTrack Mini tells outdoorsmen and women where they are and where they’re going without the need for cellular network service or downloaded map data. Also critical, the BackTrack Mini has a 34+ hour (GPS run time) rechargeable battery life, ensuring users can navigate without relying on a typical smartphone’s short-lived battery in harsh conditions.

The BackTrack Mini also features a built-in compass with temperature, time, barometric pressure and elevation. This can be critical information for backcountry hunters navigating the mountains as well as for long-range precision rifle shooters dialing in their rifles. The unit also uses this environmental data to calculate a forecast of best times of the day to hunt and fish. Read more

Fishing, Hunting, Wildlife

FPC Brief: Foster Parents, Home-Based Daycare Operators Can’t be Denied 2A Rights

Foster parents, home-based daycare operators cannot be denied their Second Amendment rights, FPC brief argues

CHICAGO – Firearms Policy Coalition (FPC) and FPC Action Foundation (FPCAF) have filed an important brief with the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals in the case of Miller v. Smith, urging the Court to reverse a misguided decision of the trial court that upheld Illinois law and regulations that bans firearm possession in child care facilities, including home day care facilities and foster family homes, and prevents an Illinois couple from exercising their fundamental right to keep and bear arms in their home. The brief, authored by FPCAF director of constitutional studies and Second Amendment scholar Joseph Greenlee, can be found at FPCLaw.org.

The brief makes clear that by prohibiting Jennifer and Darren Miller from possessing operable firearms within the home where they live and work, the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services is in clear violation of the Constitution. The brief argues that the Supreme Court’s 2008 Heller decision requires that courts place Second Amendment right to keep and bear arms in defense of hearth and home above all governmental interests, that Heller’s “sensitive places” dictum is limited to carrying arms in public locations, that there is no historical justification for classifying a private home as a “sensitive place,” and that the law is poorly tailored because substantially less burdensome alternatives exist. Read more

Self Defense

NSSF Issues Statement on Buffalo Attack

“NSSF absolutely condemns the horrific attack on innocent victims in Buffalo, New York. These senseless murders were committed by a deranged individual who had expressed threatening behavior and comments. He was previously evaluated by authorities for concerns about his mental health but was subsequently released. NSSF is and will remain steadfastly committed to Real Solutions® to keep our communities safe, and we fully support greater resources to address mental health challenges.”

General

NSSF Real Solutions Launches #ThanksLEO Campaign

NEWTOWN, Conn. — NSSF®, the firearm industry trade association, launched a social media campaign, called #ThanksLEO, to show support of the law enforcement community during Police Week 2022.

“The firearm and ammunition industry is extremely grateful to the law enforcement community and the work they do every day to keep our communities safe,” said Joe Bartozzi, NSSF’s President and CEO. “We are proud to partner with law enforcement in our ‘Real Solutions. Safer Communities’ efforts to work together to make a positive difference in communities across this great country. That’s why NSSF kicked off our #ThanksLEO social media campaign and encourages everyone to participate in thanking our law enforcement community for the work they do each and every day to protect and serve our communities.” Read more

General

Hand Engraved, Silver Plated New Original Henry Rifle Heads to Auction

All Proceeds to Benefit Cody Firearms Museum

RICE LAKE, Wis. –– There are few places in the country more impressive than The Cody Firearms Museum for history buffs and firearms enthusiasts. Located at The Buffalo Bill Center of the West, about 50 miles outside Yellowstone National Park, the world-class exhibits boast over 4,000 guns and 10,000 artifacts. To enhance and ensure the longevity of its collection with financial support that directly benefits the museum, The Cody Firearms Museum Collectors Series offers the opportunity to purchase limited-edition firearms inspired by the most prized pieces at the museum.

Together with Baron Engraving and Davidson’s Inc., Henry Repeating Arms is proud to announce the auction of the first gun in the third edition of the Cody Firearms Museum Collectors Series, a one-of-a-kind New Original Henry Rifle inspired by 19th-century master firearms engraver Louis D. Nimschke. Read more

Firearms

Best-Selling Gunnison Merino Wool Hoodie Goes Beluga

Stonewall, TX (May 2022) – Customers asked, and Pnuma Outdoors delivered! The best-selling, mid-weight Gunnison Merino Wool Hoodie is now offered in Beluga (solid) for even more versatility in the mountains, plains, or out on the town.

Crafted from 300gsm merino wool for superior warmth, and fibers wrapped with a nylon core, the Gunnison Merino Wool Hoodie is an essential piece of gear for serious hunters.

As a mid-layer, the Gunnison Merino Wool Hoodie offers two zippered storage pockets, on the chest and on the left arm for small items. A large kangaroo pocket provides both warmth and concealment when not wearing gloves, and thumbholes keep sleeves firmly in place and reduce cold air from entering through unwanted gaps.

The head and neck are protected from the elements using a form-fitting hood for desired fit and comfort. A soft zipper pull garage, extending from the protective collar is specifically designed to prevent irritation during use.

SPECIFICATIONS

  • Fabric Weight: 300 gsm
  • Fabric Blend: 87% 18.5 micron Merino Wool, 13% core-spun nylon
  • Left chest zippered pocket
  • Left upper arm zippered pocket
  • Hand-warming kangaroo pocket
  • Thumbholes
  • Comfortable, terry-knit fabric
  • Flatlock seams for comfort
  • Merino wool fibers wrapped around a nylon core for added durability
  • Zipper Pull Garage to prevent chin and neck irritation
  • Protected neck seam to prevent irritation
  • Form-fitting scuba hood for warmth, concealment, and mobility
  • Care: Machine wash cold, dry flat
  • Weight: 17.6 oz (based on size large)

Gunnison Merino Wool Hoodie – MSRP $175.00
Read more

General

How the Pandemic Drove Up the Cost of Wood Products

Insight from the Forest Service answering the question “what caused last year’s crazy increase in lumber prices?”

resulted in large price changes for softwood lumber and other wood products like plywood and oriented strand board (Sam Beebe photo with permission)

May 16, 2022 – During the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic, prices of processed wood products, such as softwood lumber and plywood, nearly quadrupled.  Wholesale prices for plywood increased from $400 to $1500 per thousand square feet (roughly equivalent to retail prices of plywood increasing from about $12.80 to $48.00 per sheet).

Forest Service Senior Research Forester and Project Leader Jeffrey Prestemon studies the market factors behind increased prices in these important consumer products.

“As researchers, we investigate the reasons for a problem, quantify its impacts and look into solutions,” says Prestemon. “The knowledge we develop in the Forest Service can lead to more mutually beneficial solutions and decision-making in both government and the private industry.”

The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted supply and demand of forest products and labor, including trucking and transport (USDA photo by Lance Cheung).

The pandemic triggered a worker shortage in many sectors, including the forest products industry, which led tolimited availability of wood products, such as softwood lumber and structural panels (softwood plywood and oriented strand board). The domino effect continued with supply chains further disrupted by a lack of truckers to move materials. At the end of the line were those of us who were homebound under travel restrictions, wanting to spend more money on home improvements.

“Mills wanted to increase output, but they couldn’t find workers,” says Jeff Prestemon. “This is basic economics: when the supply curve shifts backwards and demand increases, prices will go up.”

Another outcome of worker absences and departures was an increase in average industry wages. Higher pay, however, did not result in enough extra workers to make up for increased demand and limited supply. High-level skills are increasingly needed to work with advanced machines in wood processing facilities.

“Because work in the wood products industry is becoming more mechanized, the workforce now needs to be more technically competent and highly trained,” says Prestemon. “It takes time to develop these skills, so ramping up production in a short period of time is not as easy as it was in the past.”

Overall, the supply of wood from Canada and other countries was not enough to lower U.S. prices. Canada, historically the primary source of wood imports to the U.S., increased shipments of wood products to the U.S. during 2020 and 2021. However, imports were slow to arrive due to shipping constraints. Read more

General
1 … 635 636 637 638 639 … 2,058