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NASA research indicates hunks of frozen carbon dioxide – dry ice – may glide down some Martian sand dunes on cushions of gas similar to miniature hovercraft, plowing furrows as they go.

“I have always dreamed of going to Mars,” said Serina Diniega, a planetary scientist at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, Calif., and lead author of a report published online by the journal Icarus. “Now I dream of snowboarding down a Martian sand dune on a block of dry ice.”

Researchers deduced this process could explain one enigmatic class of gullies seen on Martian sand dunes by examining images from NASA's Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (MRO) and performing experiments on sand dunes in Utah and California.

The hillside grooves on Mars, called linear gullies, show relatively constant width – up to a few yards, or meters, across – with raised banks or levees along the sides. Unlike gullies caused by water flows on Earth and possibly on Mars, they do not have aprons of debris at the downhill end of the gully. Instead, many have pits at the downhill end.

“In debris flows, you have water carrying sediment downhill, and the material eroded from the top is carried to the bottom and deposited as a fan-shaped apron,” said Diniega. “In the linear gullies, you're not transporting material. You're carving out a groove, pushing material to the sides.”

Images from MRO's High Resolution Imaging Science Experiment (HiRISE) camera show sand dunes with linear gullies covered by carbon-dioxide frost during the Martian winter. The location of the linear gullies is on dunes that spend the Martian winter covered by carbon-dioxide frost.

By comparing before-and-after images from different seasons, researchers determined that the grooves are formed during early spring. Some images have even caught bright objects in the gullies.

Scientists theorize the bright objects are pieces of dry ice that have broken away from points higher on the slope.

According to the new hypothesis, the pits could result from the blocks of dry ice completely sublimating away into carbon-dioxide gas after they have stopped traveling.

“Linear gullies don't look like gullies on Earth or other gullies on Mars, and this process wouldn't happen on Earth,” said Diniega. “You don't get blocks of dry ice on Earth unless you go buy them.”

That is exactly what report co-author Candice Hansen, of the Planetary Science Institute in Tucson, Ariz., did.

Hansen has studied other effects of seasonal carbon-dioxide ice on Mars, such as spider-shaped features that result from explosive release of carbon-dioxide gas trapped beneath a sheet of dry ice as the underside of the sheet thaws in spring.

She suspected a role for dry ice in forming linear gullies, so she bought some slabs of dry ice at a supermarket and slid them down sand dunes.

That day and in several later experiments, gaseous carbon dioxide from the thawing ice maintained a lubricating layer under the slab and also pushed sand aside into small levees as the slabs glided down even low-angle slopes.

The outdoor tests did not simulate Martian temperature and pressure, but calculations indicate the dry ice would act similarly in early Martian spring where the linear gullies form.

Although water ice, too, can sublimate directly to gas under some Martian conditions, it would stay frozen at the temperatures at which these gullies form, the researchers calculate.

“MRO is showing that Mars is a very active planet,” Hansen said. “Some of the processes we see on Mars are like processes on Earth, but this one is in the category of uniquely Martian.”

Hansen also noted the dry ice “snowboarding” process could be unique to the linear gullies described on Martian sand dunes. “There are a variety of different types of features on Mars that sometimes get lumped together as 'gullies,' but they are formed by different processes,” she said. “Just because this dry-ice hypothesis looks like a good explanation for one type doesn't mean it applies to others.”

To see images of the linear gullies and obtain more information about MRO, visit: http://www.nasa.gov/mro .

Dr. Tony Phillips works for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration.

MENDOCINO NATIONAL FOREST, Calif. – Firefighters have increased containment on the largest of the lightning fires sparked earlier this week in the Mendocino National Forest.

The Daves Fire, found Wednesday afternoon in steep terrain and dense brush stands on the forest's Grindstone Ranger District, is located approximately 45 miles east of Chico and 15 miles northwest of Elk Creek along County Road 306.

It was held to 300 acres on Friday, with officials reporting that containment was at 30 percent.

Full containment is estimated to take place on Monday, June 17.

The fire, attributed to lightning, is burning in logging slash, thick knobcone pine with heavy dead and downed debris. Officials said steep slopes, limited access and potential for rollout continue to challenge firefighters.

Despite the difficult conditions, fire officials said firefighting crews made good progress in building fire line, and Skidmore Ridge was opened with bulldozers to stop the spread to the south.

No structures have been damaged or destroyed, according to forest officials.

Northern California Interagency Team 2, led by Incident Commander Tim Fike, assumed control of the incident at 6 a.m. Friday, officials said. On Friday, approximately 303 personnel were on scene.
 
Forest officials said County Road 55/ Forest Road M4 southwest of Paskenta, including Black Bear Camp, and Forest Road M9 from County Road 313 west to Log Springs are currently closed due to fire traffic in the area.

A temporary flight restriction is in effect for the area around the fire, according to a forest report.

061413 Daves Fire map

NORTH COAST, Calif. – State fire officials said Friday that 28 fires believed to have been sparked by lightning earlier this week have been fully contained.

Cal Fire said the wildland fires, located on the Sonoma-Lake-Napa Unit, included three in Lake County, 20 in Sonoma County, four in Solano County and one in Colusa County.

The wildland fires were reported beginning this past Monday morning through late afternoon Wednesday, Cal Fire said. They ranged in size from a single tree to four acres.

An estimated 8,000 lightning strikes started dozens of wildland fires across Northern California in that time period, according to Cal Fire.

The fires on the Sonoma-Lake-Napa Unit did not damage any homes or outbuildings, Cal Fire said, and no injuries were reported. Cal Fire said it is investigating each of the fires to rule out possible causes other than lightning.

In the region, there is a possibility of more fires, as the weather warms and smoldering lightning wildland fires “come to life,” Cal Fire said.

The agency said its resources are monitoring the areas which had fire activity and are ready to respond if new wildland fires occur.

KELSEYVILLE, Calif. – Surveillance by the Lake County Narcotics Task Force led on Thursday to the arrest of a Kelseyville man, as well as the seizure of more than 700 marijuana plants, 39 pounds of processed marijuana, a loaded gun and $37,330 cash.

Angel Lemus Torres, 26, was taken into custody during the operation, according to the Lake County Sheriff's Office.

The agency said that on Thursday Narcotics Task Force detectives were near a large marijuana grow located at 5555 Konocti Road in Kelseyville when they observed a white-colored Toyota Tacoma truck near the grow site.
 
While conducting surveillance of the area the Toyota truck drove past, according to the report. Detectives caught up to the truck and conducted a traffic enforcement stop for vehicle code violations, at which time they contacted and interviewed Torres, the driver and sole occupant of the truck.

Torres told detectives that he was a Proposition 215 patient and had a recommendation to grow 99 marijuana plants. He said that the Konocti Road grow site was his, officials reported.

There were three other subjects at the grow site who worked with Torres and were involved in growing the marijuana. He did not personally use all of the marijuana produced by the plants, according to the sheriff's office.

What he didn’t use, he sold for $1000 per pound, according to statements he made to detectives. He and his partners split the profits from selling the marijuana. Torres estimated that they would each make $30,000 from the marijuana produced at the grow site.

Torres was found to be in possession of $10,330 cash. Additionally, he was an outstanding suspect in a marijuana grow site that was raided by detectives on June 4 in Clearlake Oaks, where 655 marijuana plants were eradicated. The sheriff's office said Torres admitted to being involved in that operation as well.

While two detectives were interviewing Torres, other detectives conducting surveillance of the Konocti Road grow site reported that they observed several subjects run from the area. Detectives were not able to locate the subjects who fled, officials said.

The sheriff's office said detectives later served a search warrant at the Konocti Road grow site. There, they eradicated more than 700 marijuana plants and seized 39 pounds of processed marijuana, a loaded .223 caliber rifle, and $27,000 cash. Detectives also located two 55 gallon barrels full of cut marijuana that needed to be trimmed.

Torres was booked in the Hill Road Correctional Facility for cultivation of marijuana, possession of marijuana for sale and possession of a weapon in the commission of a felony. He also is being held on a $25,000 bail and an immigration detainer, officials reported.

NICE, Calif. – Two men were arrested on animal cruelty charges last week after they were found to have left two dogs in a vehicle at a local casino during a day when the temperature was more than 100 degrees outside.

Jeremy Thomas Arnold, 29, of Duvall, Wash., and Stephen John Zobrist, 33, of Forestville were arrested on the afternoon of Friday, June 7, according to a report from the Lake County Sheriff's Office.

At 4 p.m. June 7 Lake County Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Task Force detectives were conducting a walk through of the Robinson Rancheria Casino, officials reported.

While walking through the casino parking lot detectives – one of whom was a certified canine handler – noticed two dogs in the passenger area of a parked Toyota 4Runner SUV. The report said two of the vehicle windows were rolled down, but only by approximately two inches.

Both dogs were panting heavily and appeared to be overheating. Detectives looked through the windows of the vehicle and did not observe any food or water for the dogs. The outside temperature was approximately 103 degrees Fahrenheit at the time, officials said.

Fearing for the safety of the two dogs, detectives removed the dogs from the vehicle and found that the temperature inside the vehicle was considerably hotter than the temperature outside, the report stated.

Detectives located the owners of the dogs, Arnold and Zobrist, inside the casino. Both Zobrist and Arnold agreed that it was very hot and they should not have left the dogs in the vehicle while they were in the casino, officials said.

The sheriff's office said Zobrist was found to be in possession of prescription narcotic medication but did not have a prescription. Arnold falsely identified himself to detectives.

Detectives found that the dogs were left in the vehicle for approximately 30 minutes. Based on their training and experience, detectives determined that the dogs would have died had they been left in the vehicle much longer, and it was fortunate that the dogs did not die during the time they were left in the vehicle, the report said.

Detectives arrested both Zobrist and Arnold. Personnel from Lake County Animal Care and Control took custody of the two dogs, officials said.

Zobrist was booked in the Hill Road Correctional for cruelty to an animal and possession of a narcotic. Arnold was booked for cruelty to an animal and providing false identification to a peace officer, according to jail records.

Bail for each of the men was set at $15,000. Jail records indicated Zobrist posted the required amount of bail and was released, but Arnold remained in custody on Friday.

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – A new fair, rodeo events, music and more is planned around Lake County this weekend.

This coming weekend weather is predicted to be just about perfect, sunny with high temperatures in the mid-eights and light breezes.

And it's a good thing, with numerous outdoor activities throughout Lake County both residents and visitors alike will have numerous choices for getting out of the house and enjoying the weekend.

Hiking, biking, boating, and a variety of other active outdoor pursuits should mix well with the numerous events occurring in Lake County this weekend.
 
In the south county, the 52nd annual Middletown Days offers various rodeo activities Friday through Sunday, with a parade on Saturday morning, a horseshoe tournament throughout the weekend, and an old fashioned country dance on Saturday night. More information can be found at the event Web site, www.middletowndays.org .
 
Also in the south county, Calpine is offering free bus tours of The Geysers geothermal area on Sunday. More information can be found at www.geysers.com or by calling 707-987-4270.
 
Lakeport area activities also kick off on Friday, with the first weekly Friday night concert in the Library Park; the NorCal Aircooled Group Volkswagon show and swap meet, also in Library Park, on Saturday; and the Fathers Day Catfish Blues Festival at Konocti Vista Casino on Sunday.

 
Also in Lakeport, the inaugural Lake County Spring Fair runs Friday through Sunday at the fairgrounds.

Planned activities include a carnival, home and garden displays, vocational education exhibits, a laser tag emporium, a classic car show, musical entertainment, motorized grandstand shows, and plenty of fair food.

Tickets are just $5 per person, and more information is available at the Lake County Fair's Facebook page or at its Web site, www.lakecountyfair.com .

Other events planned around the weekend include the following:

SATURDAY

• Saturday morning farmers' market: Local farmers offer their finest, freshest produce at this weekly Certified Farmers' Market run by Lake County Farmers' Finest at Steele Wines, near Finley off Highway 29 and Thomas Drive. Meet friends, enjoy beautiful handmade crafts and live music. Markets take place from 8:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. For more information, call 707-263-6076.
• Friends of the Middletown Library used book sale: Celebrate Middletown Days on Saturday, June 15, and stop by the former Gibson Library, located across from the new library and Senior Center. From 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. stock up on good reading for summer or vacation. All proceeds go towards the purchase of books for the library and enhancement to the children's reading section. While you are there, consider becoming a member of the Friends of the Middletown Library. Everyone is welcome.
• “Art of the Heart” fundraiser: This art show and sale to benefit Operation Tango Mike will take place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, June 15, at the Lakeport Senior Center, 527 Konocti Ave. Artist Pat Skoog will show a variety of her works and a portion of sales proceeds will benefit Operation Tango Mike in sending care packages to deployed military personnel. Light refreshments will be available. For more information call 707-349-2838 or 707-263-1303, or e-mail This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .
• Fundraiser book sale: One Step Away, an NCO partner, will be holding a huge book sale from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, June 15, at the Lake Community Action warehouse, 785 Bevins St. in Lakeport. Hard back books are $1 each, and paper backs are 50 cents each. Or you can choose to receive a book in exchange for a canned food item. For more information contact Jimalene Carroll at 707-245-5219.
• Sons of Italy dinner: Come enjoy a great meal at the Sons of Italy Lodge, 2817 E. Highway 20 in Nice, on Saturday, June 15. Tickets will be sold at the door for the dinner dance on June 15 for $15 but please call 707-274-9952 for reservations of more than four. The price includes oven roasted Italian breaded chicken, vegetables, scalloped potatoes, fresh salad, dessert, coffee, tea and ice water. The no host bar will open at 5 p.m. and dinner will start at 6 p.m., dancing with the High Notes Band will follow the meal.

SUNDAY

• Camaro Owners of Lake County: The Camaro Owners of Lake County will go to Bodega Bay on Sunday, June 16, for the group's monthly road trip. They will meet at the KFC restaurant in Lower Lake at 9:30 a.m. For more information visit www.coolccamaro.com and like the group on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/pages/Camaro-Owners-of-Lake-County/270189973068944?hc_location=stream .