Front Page News
San Antonio Fire Statistics
Start Date: June 14, 2018, at 11:30 AM
Size: 495 acres
Location: Northwest area of Valles Caldera National Preserve
Cause: Lightning
Containment: 0%
Drying Trend Poses Risk
Although the much needed rain aided the firefighting efforts, it was short lived as a drying trend is predicted for the next week. With an increase in temperature and lowering of humidity, roads and vegetation are drying, which may contribute to higher fire activity. Yesterday’s reconnaissance flight indicated multiple spot fires on the northwest perimeter of the fire. Fire fighters will continue work today strengthening hand line on the steep and rocky southwestern perimeter of the fire. Majority of fire fighter’s efforts will be focused on construction of hand and dozer line on the northwest side of the fire.
By Halie Richwine
The Town of Hurley Regular Meeting took place Tuesday, June 12, 2018 at 5 p.m. Councilors Esther Gil, Freddie Rodriguez, and Mateo Madrid, as well as Mayor Pro Tem Richard Maynes and Mayor Ed Stevens attended.
Public Input was first on the agenda and resident Violet Chavarria asked council to consider putting speed bumps and stop signs in the Lee Drive and E Street area to aid in slowing traffic.
Sandra Berry was next and asked council about starting a neighborhood watch to help local law enforcement. Berry said she has tried to get on the meeting agenda in the past. Her concern is that people are not interested in having a neighborhood watch.
Gila Las Cruces Type 3 Incident Management Team
Ricky Cox—Incident Commander
Buzzard Fire
Command of Buzzard Fire Transfers to Local Type 3 Team on Wednesday
June 18, 2018 Daily Update
This will be the last update from the Gila Las Cruces Type 3 Team
Acres: 47,370 Start Date: May 22, 2018
Cause: Human-caused Location: 10 miles NE of Reserve, NM (Gila NF)
Containment: 82% Fuels: Timber (litter, grass and understory)
Total Personnel: 212
General Information: Even though recent rains dampened much of the fire over the last few days, a few pockets of heat were observed in Kiehne and Perry Canyons. Firefighters will monitor these areas and look for opportunities to secure the fire’s edge. Crews continue to patrol control lines for hot spots, look for opportunities to secure the fire and mop up in the southwest portion. Fire suppression repair and rehabilitation continues along control lines. The Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER) Team will begin emergency treatments to protect life, property, natural and cultural resources. Initial attack crews will respond to new fire starts. Wednesday, a transfer of command and transition from Incident Commander Ricky Cox to Incident Commander Scott Jones will occur. Local resources will work with Incident Commander Jones.
[Editor's Note: This is part 1 of the County Commission meeting on June 12, 2018. This article features the extended report from GRMC personnel.]
By Mary Alice Murphy
When it came time to approve the combined work session/regular meeting agenda on June 12, General Services Director Randy Villa requested that the public hearing be taken off the agenda. "The proclamations declaring extreme or severe drought conditions in Grant County and the imposition of fireworks restrictions are already in place. We don't need to add anything to them."
The next item featured Gila Regional Medical Center Chief Executive Officer Taffy Arias and Chief Financial Officer Richard Stokes giving their monthly report.
By Hallie Richwine
The City of Bayard Council Meeting on June 11, 2018 began at 2 p.m. after a short work session. Councilors Adrian Ortiz and Eloy Medina attended as well as Mayor Pro Tem Raul Villanueva and Mayor Chon Fierro.
There was no public input, so council moved directly to the consent agenda. After reviewing reports from the different departments in the municipality, council approved the attendance of Kristina Ortiz to Colonias Funding Training in Albuquerque in early July. This is a requirement for receiving the funding for well #3. Council also approved the attendance of Amanda Arrey to the Court Clerk Conference.
Council reviewed and ultimately accepted Resolution 17-2018, the increase of the property tax rate by 3 mil. They also accepted Resolution 18-2018 which declares the CDBG project for 2018 as the drainage improvements on Maple and Elm Streets.
San Antonio Fire Statistics
Start Date: June 14, 2018, at 11:30 AM
Size: 495 acres
Location: Northwest area of Valles Caldera National Preserve
Cause: Lightning
Containment: 0%
Rain Provided Relief for San Antonio Fire
Yesterday’s rain aided firefighting efforts and kept the San Antonio Fire at 495 acres. The lightning-caused fire is located within the northwest area of Valles Caldera National Preserve. Fire activity was moderate with spots of creeping flames and smoldering timber. The historic cabin within the fire perimeter and the weather station and natural gas pipeline near the fire remain intact and unaffected by the fire.
Gila Las Cruces Type 3 Incident Management Team
Ricky Cox—Incident Commander
Buzzard Fire
Firefighters Face Warmer and Drier Weather on Sunday
June 17, 2018 Daily Update
Acres: 47,370 Start Date: May 22, 2018
Cause: Human-caused Location: 10 miles NE of Reserve, NM (Gila NF)
Containment: 74% Fuels: Timber (litter, grass and understory)
Total Personnel: 254
General Information: Light showers, increased humidity and cooler temperatures put a damper on the fire Saturday. Although the fire area received over half an inch of rain, the fire continues to creep and smolder in drainages containing stands of pine trees. Sunday will see a return to warmer and drier weather as the remnants of Tropical Storm Bud move to the east. Firefighters will continue to mop up along control lines and continue with suppression repair and rehabilitation on control lines where the fire no longer poses a threat. With decreased fire activity, crews, equipment, and personnel are being released from the incident to travel home or be reassigned to other fires.
Fire Operations: Seeding, water bar construction, and pulling logs and brush over dozer lines are complete on the northern sections of the fire. An Excavator and a rubber-tired skidder continue to construct water bars and pull material over control lines to aid in revegetation on the southeast portion. Crews will patrol and monitor the fire’s edge on the southwestern side for hot spots. Resource Advisors will be present to guide crews as they begin repair and rehabilitation on hand and dozer constructed control lines. Equipment such as portable water tanks, hose, and water pumps are being returned to fire camp. Initial Attack crews are prepared to respond to new fires that may pop up from lightning strikes from last week.
Fire Safety Awareness: Stage 2 Fire Restrictions remain in place even though the forest has received rain. Rain has been spotty and not consistent over the forest to warrant lifting fire restrictions. Fire Danger is still rated as EXTREME on the Gila National Forest.
Fire Weather: Sunday, a southwest flow pattern will return, bringing warmer and drier conditions through the rest of the week. Today winds will be from the southwest, 10-15 miles per hour. Temperatures to reach the 70’s with relative humidity bit higher than normal for this time of year.
Closures: The area around the fire remains closed for public safety until lifted by the Gila National Forest. Roadblocks have been set up by local law enforcement. In support of this closure, the Continental Divide Trail has been rerouted around the fire closures. The trail reroute map is available at https://bit.ly/2GRESFw . More closure information is available at https://bit.ly/2LvwKhN . For information on Stage 2 Fire Restrictions, please visit https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/gila/alerts-notices/?aid=46143 .
Smoke Situation: As fire activity decreases, air quality continues to improve throughout the area. For more information on air quality and health impacts due to wildfire smoke, please visit the New Mexico Department of Health website at https://nmtracking.org/fire . Smoke concentration data is available at: https://tools.airfire.org/monitoring/v4 .
Fire Information Links: Fire information can be found at nmfireinfo.com and http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/5814 /. For information on the Gila National Forest, please visit http://www.fs.usda.gov/gila .
Fire Information: (602) 529-5924 Office Hours: 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
InciWeb: http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/5814/ Email: buzzardfireinfo2018@gmail.com
Photos by Mary Alice Murphy
Wild-Wild-West-Pro-Rodeo-royalty-061418
1st NM Bank rodeo royalty and appreciation day 061418
From left are this year's Rodeo Royalty, Miss Turquoise Circuit Haley Olsen from Bullhead City, AZ; Miss Rodeo New Mexico Kiana Elder of Rio Rancho; Miss Teen Rodeo New Mexico Clara Maxam of Corrales; and Miss Southern New Mexico State Fair and Rodeo Queen Alyssa Marable of Las Cruces.
http://grantcountybeat.com/images/2018newsitems/FrontPageNews/Rodeo-royalty-061318/IMG_0328.jpg
1st NM Bank rodeo royalty and appreciation day 061418
From left are Rodeo Clown Cody Sosebee of Charleston, Arkansas; bull fighters Jason Gibles of Gunbarrel, Texas, and Jake Geiger of Hillyard, Florida; and Hi Lo Pro Rodeo announcer Trey Windhorst of Poplar Bluff, Missouri.
http://grantcountybeat.com/images/2018newsitems/FrontPageNews/Rodeo-royalty-061318/IMG_0340.jpg
1st NM Bank rodeo royalty and appreciation day 061418
From left are Daniel Castro, the specialty act, Abi Parra, rodeo board member, John Myers, rodeo chairman, Skywest Media owner Ted Tucker - in background, and Serina and Sabrina Pack of SkyWest Media.
http://grantcountybeat.com/images/2018newsitems/FrontPageNews/Rodeo-royalty-061318/IMG_0348.jpg
1st NM Bank rodeo royalty and appreciation day 061418
Royalty and rodeo participants eat lunch, provided by 1st New Mexico Bank.
http://grantcountybeat.com/images/2018newsitems/FrontPageNews/Rodeo-royalty-061318/IMG_0353.jpg
1st NM Bank rodeo royalty and appreciation day 061418
Pat Hunt getting a bite to eat, served by Lisa Serna and Antonio Quesada.
http://grantcountybeat.com/images/2018newsitems/FrontPageNews/Rodeo-royalty-061318/IMG_0354.jpg
1st New Mexico Bank, the premier sponsor of the 2018 Wild, Wild West Pro Rodeo, hosted this year's Rodeo Royalty, Miss Turquoise Circuit Haley Olsen from Bullhead City, AZ; Miss Rodeo New Mexico Kiana Elder of Rio Rancho; Miss Teen Rodeo New Mexico Clara Maxam of Corrales; and Miss Southern New Mexico State Fair and Rodeo Queen Alyssa Marable of Las Cruces.
Fire Alerts
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