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Fort Ord's getting hotter by the day, and not just because it's burn season. Pushback from Fort Ord conservationists stopped the proposed Whispering Oaks project on the former Army base; local support also helped promote 18,000 acres of Fort Ord to National Monument status.

The next battles involve the controversial Monterey Downs proposal, the planned veterans' cemetery next to it, the clearcutting that comes with munitions cleanup and the proposed Eastside Parkway, among other issues.

Here are some of the upcoming public meetings of interest, as compiled by Sustainable Seaside:

Friday, Sept. 14, 3:30-5:30pm. FORA meeting at Carpenters Union Hall, 910 2nd Ave., Marina. Public comment is expected to address the planned clear-cutting of 12 acres near Parker Flats Road and the veterans' cemetery endowment parcel in Seaside—the site of proposed Monterey Downs housing.

Wednesday, Sept. 19, noon. $15 lunch (with reservation), free talk at 12:30pm by Bill Weigle: "Why Should We Keep Fort Ord Wild?" League of Women Voters Meeting at Unitarian Church, 490 Aquajito Rd., Monterey.

Thursday, Sept. 20, 6-7:30pm. FORA Community Information Session: Parker Flats Remedial Activities and Resulting Community Impacts. Carpenters Union Hall, 910 2nd Ave. Marina.

Friday, Sept. 21, 5:30pm. Community walk on our Fort Ord trails with Seaside Mayor Felix Bachofner, County Supervisor Jane Parker and Marina Mayor Bruce Delgado. Meet at the intersection of Normandy Avenue, Parker Flats Rd, and Parker Flats Cut-off (at the barricades just east of Marshall Elementary School) in Marina.

Friday, Sept. 21, 7pm. PowerPoint presentation and discussion on “Why Keep Fort Ord Wild?” A special event in conjunction with Fort Ord photo exhibit currently at the East Village Cafe. Presenting are Bill Weigle of Fort Ord Recreation Users and Gordon Smith of Veterans Wild Fort Ord. Free. Contact g.d.smith@comcast.net to RSVP or for more information.

Monday, Sept. 24, 6pm. Community Meeting re: Fort Ord National Monument. Eric Morgan, BLM Manager, will be discussing what the national monument status means and what the next steps are. Oldemeyer Center, 986 Hilby St., Seaside.