Front Page News
Pass Fire Update June 23, 2023
- Category: Front Page News Front Page News
- Published: 23 June 2023 23 June 2023
Pass Fire
Gila National Forest Incident Commanders – Billy Trujillo - Dustin Roper IC (t)
Information Phone: 575-388-8211 Hours: 8 am-4:30 pm
Acres: 53,091
Location: 40 miles west of Winston, NM
Containment: 13%
Personnel: 79
Email: 2023.Pass@Firenet.go
Yesterday's reconnaissance flight showed minimal fire activity and no change in acreage on the Pass Fire.
Firefighters worked along Indian Creek securing the containment line to prevent any future fire activity from pushing west of the creek. Fire crews remain on the south end of the fire perimeter, to ensure any smoldering fire does not cross the Middle Fork. Interior smokes still exist within the perimeter of the fire.
Stronger winds and a Red Flag warning today may increase fire activity. Firefighters are monitoring the fire area and are ready to conduct suppression tactics if necessary to protect values at risk.
Representative Luis Terrazas gives Hurley update
- Category: Front Page News Front Page News
- Published: 22 June 2023 22 June 2023
By Lynn Janes
The town of Hurley held a regular meeting June 13, 2023, beginning with the roll call and the Pledge of Allegiance. Attendance to the meeting included Mayor Ed Stevens, Mayor pro tem Richard Maynes and councilors Nanette Day and Reynaldo Maynes. Keana Huerta didn't attend.
The council approved the agenda.
Public input none currently.
The council approved the consent agenda. It included the minutes from the regular meeting May 9, 2023, workshop meeting May 17, 2023, and special meetings May 24, 2023, and June 6, 2023. It also included reports from maintenance, clerk, fire department, animal control, code enforcement, police, and judge.
Lori Ortiz, city clerk, said next meeting she would have the letter of release for the audit. The fire department had two grass fires. Animal control said they had been having problems with residents not having their dogs tagged and registered. Ortiz said she would put a notice in with the water bills.
Police Chief Christian McGuinness gave the council a short report. He said he had met with the sheriff. He told the council he wanted to have four officers including himself. He wanted Hurley to have 24-hour coverage, and it would also allow for vacation time and sick leave.
Santa Clara donates used fire gear
- Category: Front Page News Front Page News
- Published: 22 June 2023 22 June 2023
By Lynn Janes
The Village of Santa Clara held its regular meeting June 8, 2023. Mayor Richard Bauch called the meeting to order and led the Pledge of Allegiance. Trustees, Olga Amador, Arnold Lopez, and Peter Erickson attended. Mayor Pro Tem Albert Esparza did not attend.
The council approved the agenda for the meeting with the change of moving the closed session to after the mayor's report.
The council approved the minutes from the May 28, 2023, meeting.
Pass Fire Update June 22, 2023
- Category: Front Page News Front Page News
- Published: 22 June 2023 22 June 2023
Pass Fire
Gila National Forest Incident Commander– Dustin Roper
Information Phone: 575-388-8211 Hours: 8 am-4:30 pm
Email: 2023.Pass@Firenet.gov
Acres: 53,091
Location: 40 miles west of Winston, NM
Containment: 13%
Personnel: 54
Start Date: May 18, 2023
Cause: Lightning
Fuels: Timber, pinon/juniper and grass
Last night's infrared flight showed little to no fire activity on the slow-moving, low intensity Pass Fire, with just an acre of growth. Firefighters on the ground found downed logs smoldering around Jordan Hot Springs. A couple of wispy white columns of smoke are visible from the Clinton P. Anderson overlook on N.M. Highway 15.
Firefighters remain vigilant in checking all sides of the Pass Fire to keep it within the designated boundaries, as it slowly cleans forest understory. Detailed weather forecast and fuel samples taken by firefighters throughout the day help monitor conditions around the fire area. The drop in acreage of The Pass Fire will not be completely out until a soaking rain event occurs. Stumps, roots, and downed logs will continue to smolder until then.
Rico Fire Update – June 22, 2023
- Category: Front Page News Front Page News
- Published: 22 June 2023 22 June 2023
Location: 1⁄4 mile NW of Pinos Altos, NM
Size: 421 acres
Containment: 0%
Personnel: 170
Start Date: June 20, 2023
Cause: Under investigation
Fuels: Slash, timber and brush
SILVER CITY, NM, June 22, 2023 – The Rico Fire has grown to 421 acres yet remains within the jurisdiction of the BLM and NM State lands. Extensive work continues as firefighters extinguish hot spots within the interior of the fire and progressively work to reinforce containment lines. Percent of containment will be reported only when there is certainty that the fire cannot cross the containment line. Laborious work goes into this the task of bolstering the lines around the entire perimeter of the fire, most of it accomplished with firefighting hand tools.
The Albuquerque Zone Type 3 Incident Management Team, led by Incident Commander Dorian Soliz, assumed command of the Rico Fire this morning at 6 a.m.
George Ducker, NM Forestry Division Public Information Officer reminds us all of the importance of Protecting Your Home from Wildfire especially in wildland urban interface settings.
Pass Fire Update June 21, 2023
- Category: Front Page News Front Page News
- Published: 21 June 2023 21 June 2023
Pass Fire
Gila National Forest Incident Commander – Jorge Amaya
Information Phone: 575-388-8211 Hours: 8 am-4:30 pm
2023.Pass@Firenet.gov
Acres: 50,090
Location: 40 miles west of Winston, NM Containment: 13%
Personnel: 54
Start Date: May 18, 2023
Cause: Lightning
Fuels: Timber, pinon/juniper and grass
As of last week, the Pass Fire has continued a steady, slow to moderate movement and is now sized at 50,090 acres. Warmer, drier conditions caused the Pass Fire to pick up momentum on June 15, but then slowed again. Yesterday's reconnaissance flight showed minimal fire growth. Fire crews are focusing on the south and west sides, working to keep the fire north of the Middle Fork of the Gila and east of Meadow Trail (53). Isolated smoke columns are visible within the fire perimeter.
Photos of Rico Fire from Pinos Altos
- Category: Front Page News Front Page News
- Published: 21 June 2023 21 June 2023
Photos courtesy of Sheila Huber-Geisler, taken this morning of the Rico Fire and water or retardant being dropped directly on the fire
Helicopter at top drops a load of water directly on the fire
Rico Fire Photos by Don Licht
- Category: Front Page News Front Page News
- Published: 21 June 2023 21 June 2023
All photos courtesy of Don Licht
These are taken from North Swan Street 
Very Large Air Tanker ready to drop retardant onto the Rico Fire
smoke billowing up