UKIAH, Calif. — The Bureau of Land Management has selected Neal Craig as the Ukiah Field Manager who will oversee management of more than 270,000 acres of public lands within Marin, Mendocino, Lake, Sonoma, Napa, Colusa, Glenn, Yolo, and Solano counties. 

The Ukiah Field Office also manages parts of the California Coastal National Monument in the Point Arena-Stornetta area and the Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument, managed jointly with the Mendocino National Forest. The field office also administers geothermal leasing at The Geysers, the world’s largest geothermal steam field and the Cow Mountain Recreation Area, which includes the first Congressionally designated OHV area. 

“I’m very grateful for the opportunity to work collaboratively with our stakeholders and the public to manage the Ukiah Field Office,” Craig says.  “I look forward to developing new and existing projects and programs that serve the surrounding communities, while balancing our multiple-use mission.” 

Neal brings a broad background in natural resource management, sustainable agriculture, and organizational development in both the government and private sectors. Most recently, Neal has served as the Assistant Field Manager in the BLM Bishop Field Office where he supervised the multi-resources staff and provided leadership in several program development areas. He previously worked for the U.S. Geologic Survey, serving as a technical expert, project manager, and supervisor in water quality and water quantity projects in Colorado, Michigan, Kentucky, and other states. Throughout his career, he has focused on employee training, mentoring, engagement and advancing organizational change. He has also owned and operated a sustainable farm that utilized livestock grazing systems, soil health improvement, and watershed restoration projects.  

“We are fortunate to have Neal on our team,” says BLM Central California District Manager Gabe Garcia. “His experience and leadership in natural resource management combined with his knowledge of watershed restoration projects will be valuable additions to our Ukiah Field Office.” 

Neal graduated from the University of Memphis with a Bachelor of Science in geography. When not in the office, Neal is an avid runner, small batch coffee roaster, and explorer of diverse social viewpoints. Craig succeeds Nick Lavrov, who took a position with another government agency. 

BISHOP, Calif. — The Bureau of Land Management Bishop Field Office is offering personal use Christmas tree cutting permits online, from now until Dec. 24. The permits allow the public to harvest up to five Christmas trees on designated BLM-managed public lands near Benton and Bridgeport in Mono County.

“We are again offering an online purchase option for Christmas tree permits this year,” said Bishop Field Manager Sherri Lisius. “We are excited to be able to continue this holiday tradition for the community.”

Permits are available for purchase at $5 per tree and permit stipulations must be followed. To purchase a permit online, please visit forestproducts.blm.gov. The public can also review maps of designated cutting areas and read these helpful tips to plan their trip in advance and be well prepared.

To process a permit online, select the map icon of California and the Benton Range-Bridgeport cutting areas, then follow the prompts to complete the purchase. The site will direct the purchaser to pay.gov to process payment for the permit via credit card or bank transfer. The process takes just minutes, and the website will email a copy of the electronic permit. For questions, please call the Bishop Field Office at 760-872-5000.

Those interested in tree cutting in the Lida Summit area of Nevada, or other areas managed by the BLM Tonopah Field Office, call 775-482-7800 to have a permit mailed. Please allow one week for processing.

BISHOP, Calif. – The Bureau of Land Management Bishop Field Office is easing seasonal fire restrictions effective Nov. 22 on all BLM-managed public lands extending from the southern Owens Valley in Inyo County, north to Topaz Lake and the Nevada border in Mono County. The order rescinding the fire restrictions can be viewed online. The California statewide Fire Prevention Order remains in effect year-round. 

The eased restrictions affect popular BLM-managed recreational areas in the region, including the Alabama Hills National Scenic Area, Inyo Mountains Wilderness, Volcanic Tableland, Long Valley, Adobe Valley, Mono Basin, Bodie Hills, Bridgeport Valley and Slinkard Valley.

“Public land visitors can again use campfires outside of developed campgrounds and posted recreation sites, said Bishop Field Manager Sherri Lisius. “However, we want to remain vigilant, and all do our part to prevent wildfires. Target shooting is generally allowed in these areas if it is done safely and without littering or damaging natural resources or infrastructure.”

Visitors are encouraged to check weather conditions for Red Flag Warnings and Fire Weather Watches to avoid campfires and target shooting in hot, dry and windy conditions. Recreational target shooters are required to pack out all spent shells, brass and targets. More information on safe recreational target shooting is available on the BLM website.

The public is reminded to remain cautious and practice good fire safety to help prevent wildland fires when recreating on public lands. Good fire-prevention safety tips include keeping vehicles off dry grass or brush; carrying a fire extinguisher, shovel and water; and getting a permit for any campfire or use of portable gas stoves. California campfire permits are required and are available online.

Individuals who spark wildfires, intentionally or unintentionally, can be held responsible for fire suppression and repair costs. For more information about fire restrictions on BLM-managed public lands, visit the California Fire Information and Fire Restrictions website, or call the BLM Bishop Field Office at 760-872-5000, or email BLM_CA_Web_BI@blm.gov.

MARINA, Calif. — The Bureau of Land Management Central Coast Field Office is easing seasonal fire restrictions effective November 19 for approximately 300,000 acres of BLM-managed public lands in Alameda, Contra Costa, Fresno, Merced, Monterey, San Benito, San Joaquin, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz and Stanislaus counties, due to reduced wildland fire potential. Recreational target shooting and campfires will once again be allowed on public lands unless otherwise posted. The rescinded fire order can be viewed online.

Motorized access is still restricted at the Panoche Hills Special Recreation Management Area in Fresno and San Benito counties. While allowing recreational activities by non-motorized access, the continued road restriction is required to protect the endangered blunt-nosed leopard lizard population that lives on the Panoche Hills Plateau are part of a captive breeding program. Please review the closure order that restricts vehicle access at the Panoche Hills Special Recreation Management Area.

“Public land visitors can again use campfires outside of developed campgrounds and posted recreation sites with a valid campfire permit,” said Central Coast Field Manager Zachary Ormsby. “However, we want to remain vigilant and all do our part to prevent wildfires.”

Shooting is strictly prohibited in developed recreation sites and other areas where posted. Visitors are encouraged to check weather conditions for Red Flag Warnings and Fire Weather Watches to avoid shooting in hot, dry and windy conditions. Recreational target shooters are required to pack out all spent shells, brass, and targets. More information on safe recreational target shooting is available on the BLM website.

The public is reminded to remain cautious to avoid damaging natural resources, signs, or facilities, and are asked to practice good fire safety to help prevent wildland fires when recreating on public lands. Good fire-prevention safety tips include keeping vehicles off dry grass or brush; carrying a fire extinguisher, shovel, and water; and getting a permit for any campfire or use of portable gas stoves. California campfire permits are available free online or at the BLM, U.S. Forest Service and CAL FIRE offices.

For more information on preventing wildfires and additional tips for keeping campfires and target shooting safe, visit ReadyForWildfire.org or call the Central Coast Field Office at 831-582-2200. The field office can also provide additional information on public lands available for target shooting.

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. – The Bureau of Land Management Bakersfield Field Office is easing seasonal fire restrictions effective November 19 for approximately 650,000 acres of BLM-managed public lands in Fresno, Kern, Kings, Madera, San Luis Obispo, and Tulare counties, due to reduced wildland fire potential. BLM-managed lands in Santa Barbara and Ventura County will remain in fire restrictions until Jan. 1, 2025. Campfires will once again be allowed on public lands with a valid campfire permit, unless otherwise posted. The rescinded fire order can be viewed at the BLM website.

The easing of seasonal fire restrictions will also apply to all BLM-managed recreational areas, including the Carrizo Plain National Monument, Chimney Peak, Kennedy Meadows, Keysville, Lake Isabella, San Joaquin River Gorge and Three Rivers.

“The public is reminded to remain cautious and practice good fire safety to help prevent wildland fires when recreating on public lands,” said Bakersfield Field Manager Gabe Garcia. Good fire-prevention safety tips include keeping vehicles off dry grass or brush; carrying a fire extinguisher, shovel and water; and getting a permit for any campfire or use of portable gas stoves. California campfire permits are required and are available online.

Visitors are encouraged to check weather conditions for Red Flag Warnings and Fire Weather Watches to avoid campfires and target shooting in hot, dry and windy conditions. Tracer round ammunition and incendiary devices are not allowed on BLM-managed public lands. Consider using paper targets to eliminate sparks and pack out all spent shells, brass and targets. More information on safe recreational target shooting is available on the BLM website.

For more information about fire restrictions on BLM-managed public lands, visit the California Fire Information and Fire Restrictions website, or call the BLM Bakersfield Field Office at 661-391-6000, or email BLM_CA_Web_BK@blm.gov.

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. – The Bureau of Land Management will host an in-person public meeting of the BLM California Desert District Advisory Council on Saturday, Dec. 7, from 9 a.m.- 3 p.m. at the Holiday Inn Express and Suites, 861 NV-160, Pahrump, NV 89048. The meeting is open to the public with a public comment period scheduled at 9:30 a.m.

The Desert Advisory Council meeting will include a presentation on the Imperial Sand Dunes Recreation Area Business Plan fee proposal with an opportunity for public comment and a DAC vote, and a presentation and DAC vote on the U.S. Forest Service’s Angeles National Forest fee proposal. The five field offices and fire program will also report on their activities.   

The meeting will include a virtual option via Zoom. Meeting participants must register in advance to attend in Zoom. Upon registering, participants will receive an email including the meeting link and dial-in numbers. The public will have the opportunity to address the Desert Advisory Council only during public comment periods and time for individual comments may be limited due to the number of persons wishing to speak. Written comments may also be emailed in advance of the meeting to kmiyamoto@blm.gov and will be recorded in the meeting minutes.

The BLM will host a field tour on Friday, Dec. 6, and visit public lands managed by the Barstow Field Office including Dumont Dunes Off-Highway Vehicle Area, the borehole at Tecopa Hot Springs, and sites in the Amargosa River watershed. The tour will also include a stop at China Ranch Date Farm. Members of the public are welcome on the field tour, but must provide their own transportation, meals, and water. To attend the field tour, please RSVP by Friday, Nov. 29 to kmiyamoto@blm.gov. The meeting agenda and field tour can be reviewed in advance.

Advisory councils, such as the Desert Advisory Council, provide advice and recommendations for BLM consideration on resource and land-management issues within the agency. These citizen-based councils consist of 10 to 15 members from diverse interests in local communities who assist in the development of committee recommendations that address public land management issues.

EL DORADO HILLS, Calif. – The Bureau of Land Management has eased fire restrictions, effective Monday Nov. 4, on public lands managed by the Mother Lode and Ukiah field offices. Fire restrictions were initiated on June 12 to curb the wildfire risk. Recreational target shooting and campfires are once again allowed on public lands with a valid campfire permit, unless otherwise posted.

The easing of fire restrictions applies to public lands managed in Amador, Calaveras, Colusa, El Dorado, Glenn, Lake, Marin, Mariposa, Mendocino, Napa, Nevada, Placer, Sacramento, Solano, Sonoma, Stanislaus, Tuolumne, Yolo and Yuba counties.

“Due to cooler fall weather conditions and declining wildfire danger, we are lifting seasonal fire restrictions,” advises Central California District Fire Management Officer Dave Brinsfield. “While weather conditions are no longer causing high wildfire danger, we still urge everyone to Recreate Responsibly to help minimize wildfire potential when visiting public lands.”

The public is reminded to remain cautious and practice good fire safety to help prevent wildfire such as keeping vehicles off dry grass or brush; carrying a fire extinguisher, shovel and water; and getting a permit for any campfire or use of portable gas stoves. California campfire permits are available free online or at BLM, USDA Forest Service and CAL FIRE offices.

The statewide Fire Prevention Order remains in place for BLM-managed public lands in California. Recreational target shooters are reminded that hot bullet fragments and exploding targets can spark a wildfire. Tracer round ammunition and incendiary devices are not allowed on BLM-managed public lands. Recreational target shooters are required to pack out all spent shells, brass and targets. More information on safe recreational target shooting is available on the BLM website.

The public can visit CAL FIRE’s website to learn how to prevent wildland fires. A map of current restrictions and active fire prevention orders are available online. Fire weather forecasts are available through the National Weather Service. For specific questions, please contact the appropriate field office or you may email Public Affairs Officer Philip Oviatt at poviatt@blm.gov.

Ari Kaplan recently spoke with John Marshall, the CEO, and Dan Quintas, the head of legal solutions at Airia, a generative artificial intelligence platform for law firms and other organizations.

They discussed the hurdles that firms face in adopting AI, their progress, common mistakes that legal teams make when deploying generative AI, and how to keep up with rapid technological changes.

Ari Kaplan: Tell us about your background and the genesis of Airia.

John Marshall: I have been in enterprise software for 30 years, focusing on solutions that serve as the back-end infrastructure solutions to business problems. One example is AirWatch, a mobile device management company where we worked closely with Apple and helped companies roll out mobility at scale. At AirWatch, we enabled technology deployment across firms of all sizes, integrating systems like email, documents and certificates. After selling AirWatch to VMware, I co-founded OneTrust, which focused on enterprise privacy, GDPR compliance and consent management. When AI emerged into the mainstream, I created Airia because I anticipated similar challenges as we saw with mobility in that AI is powerful but needs infrastructure that is secure, integrated and easy for end users to adopt. Our experience uniquely positions us to provide the enabling technology that law firms need to optimally leverage AI.

Ari Kaplan: Tell us about your background and the unique aspects of legal that appeal to Airia.

Dan Quintas: I started my career at AirWatch and later moved to OneTrust. Like other sectors, legal services face a broad AI adoption spectrum driven by the complexity of the use cases. Currently, the focus is on document-driven applications, which is a sweet spot for AI adoption. Document-heavy workflows naturally benefit from AI-driven efficiencies, particularly in discovery and contracts.

Ari Kaplan: What hurdles must law firms and legal organizations overcome to fuel AI adoption?

John Marshall: The first hurdle is getting started. Many firms already use AI without realizing it through tools like Microsoft Copilot or integrated AI features in more extensive legal tech solutions. The following two obstacles are fear and uncertainty associated with security and governance. I recommend starting small with public information use cases, like document comparison or caselaw research. By beginning with low-risk tasks, firms can see the benefits of AI without overwhelming security concerns.

Ari Kaplan: How much progress have law firms made in leveraging generative AI?

Dan Quintas: We are seeing impressive progress, especially among early innovators in the legal space. While some firms are experimenting with AI to gain a competitive advantage, others use tools like Copilot for specific use cases. However, most firms are still in the early majority phase, looking for high-value applications they can confidently roll out to their professionals. This group needs the most guidance in identifying the best use cases and developing a robust AI strategy.

Ari Kaplan: What mistakes are legal teams making in their deployment of generative AI?

John Marshall: I would not call them mistakes. Rather, they are learning opportunities. Firms should avoid putting their heads in the sand and instead take small, calculated steps to experiment and learn. The worst error is inaction. Much like others, the legal industry will see rapid adoption as AI becomes a standard tool. As I often say, you will not lose your job to AI but to a colleague who uses AI.

Ari Kaplan: How can people keep up with the rapid changes in generative AI?

Dan Quintas: It is overwhelming to track all the developments in AI. With new models and updates arriving regularly, businesses must understand how these changes affect them. The key is partnering with the right tools and platforms focusing on AI, combined with a clear strategy from leadership. Our mission at Airia is to make AI accessible to everyone, helping firms stay ahead of these advancements.

Ari Kaplan: How do you see the future of AI evolving in legal?

John Marshall: The legal industry is competitive, and no firm wants to be left behind. AI adoption will increase because of its competitive advantage—from faster processes to more accurate outcomes. We will see the adoption of generative AI start with simple tasks, like discovery or caselaw research, but eventually, tasks will be combined in more complex workflows. Law firms will likely use a variety of domain-specific and regional AI models, tailoring them to their needs, which will lead to an exciting evolution in the ecosystem.

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Listen to the complete interview at Reinventing Professionals.

Ari Kaplan regularly interviews leaders in the legal industry and in the broader professional services community to share perspective, highlight transformative change and introduce new technology at his blog and on iTunes.

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This column reflects the opinions of the author and not necessarily the views of the ABA Journal—or the American Bar Association.