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Category: Front Page News Front Page News
Published: 07 March 2018 07 March 2018

By Roger Lanse

Several roadside fires flared up on Monday, Feb. 26, scattered along the east side of Highway 15 between Silver City and Pinos Altos. According to Silver City Fire Chief Milo Lambert, at three of the estimated six ignition points, bits of tissue or other flammable paper were discovered. Lambert also told the Beat they received a citizen's report that a vehicle was seen throwing burning paper out the window in the area.

The Pinos Altos Volunteer Fire and Rescue assisted, and the Whiskey Creek VFR was put on standby, Lambert said. "The response time was incredibly short for SCFD's Station 2 and PAVFR."

To this reporter, the total area of the charred areas seemed not much more than an acre. However, Lambert stated if the winds had come up the fires had the potential to run quickly all the way to Fort Bayard.

The fires were able to be controlled from the highway, Lambert said, and no injuries were reported.

The Silver City Police Department and the Grant County Sheriff's Department investigated but were unable to locate the vehicle or vehicles involved, Lambert said. SCPD Chief Ed Reynolds confirmed Lambert's statement and added if anyone has information about this incident to call 538-3723 or 574-0100.