The Grant County Airport fixed-base operator, High Mountain Aviation, which provided fuel to private pilots and the Forest Service, went out of business on Oct. 13.

Larry Anderson, airport manager, said, at this point, he didn't know what would happen to the service. "We are still looking at options."

Pilots of the about 22 private planes at the airport will have to travel to Deming or Lordsburg for fuel in the interim.

"For sure, we need to get someone in before fire season," Anderson said.

A private pilot, who wished to remain anonymous, said due to the cost of fuel, which is close to $6 a gallon and high maintenance costs of aircraft, "there is not much private activity at the airport."

South Aero, the contractor for UPS, continues to make flights into the airport. Great Lakes Airlines operates between Phoenix and the Grant County Airport, but does not refuel locally, and Anderson said the lack of fuel service would not impact the airline.