Bayard Mayor appoints Eloy Gonzalez to council

By Lynn Janes

The town of Bayard held a work session July 10, 2023. Attendance included Mayor Chon Fierro, Mayor Pro Tem Raul Villanueva, councilors Eloy Medina, Frances Gonzales, and Jose Diaz. The work session allows the council time to ask questions about items on the agenda and discuss them.

A resident in attendance wanted to know why librarian Sonya Dixon's comments had not been reflected on the minutes from the last meeting. She had stated she had concerns about the budget. Several of the council members explained that the minutes do not reflect word for word the meeting.

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Aerial seeding to begin soon to assist with Black Fire recovery

Bat Conservation International to assist through Challenge Cost Share Agreement

SILVER CITY, NM, July 25, 2023 – The Gila National Forest is partnering with Bat Conservation International to implement habitat recovery and restoration projects across the Gila National Forest. To that end, aerial seeding is set to begin later this week within part of the area burned during last year's Black Fire.

"We have an enormous amount of work to accomplish, in terms of recovering from the Black Fire, along with implementing projects that reduce risk of future catastrophic wildfire to communities and critical infrastructure, and restoring forest and watershed structure," said Gila National Forest Supervisor Camille Howes. "We also have enormous challenges in attracting, hiring, and retaining our federal workforce. We hope to increase the pace and scale at which we complete these restoration efforts and increase our working capacity by partnering with non-profit organizations like Bat Conservation International."

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Gila National Forest fire update for July 25, 2023

SILVER CITY, NM, July 25, 2023 – Heavy lightning activity over last weekend brought an additional 10 wildfires to the Gila National Forest. In total, the Gila National Forest has experienced at least two dozen lightning strike wildfires since July 12. Many of these were single-tree lightning strikes that extinguished on their own. Others were immediately suppressed and contained by fire crews. Several of them continue to be active today. All of the fires currently active are discussed below.

Reserve Ranger District:

The Dark Fire and Davis Fire started July 13 and are burning minimally, with smoldering and creeping observed yesterday. Davis Fire is 5,775 acres in size and contains pockets of heat and unburned fuels in interior areas. Dark Fire is 1,354 acres and growing minimally due to sparse fine fuels to carry fire. Both of these are showing occasional isolated heat and are being monitored with minimal staffing resources. They will transition from Type 3 to a Type 4 organization tomorrow.

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Hurley approved water development project

By Lynn Janes

The town of Hurley held a regular meeting July 11, 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, Reynaldo Maynes and Keana Huerta.

The council approved the agenda with a few changes in the order of topics.

The council approved the audit for fiscal year 2022. Lori Ortiz, city clerk, told the council that the audit did have a finding listed. The audit had failed to be turned in on time. This had not been the fault of Hurley but the auditors Stone and McGee. Mike Stone of Stone and McGee sent a letter to the state explaining that it had been their fault for the late submission.

Public input

Kristina Ortiz, community liaison for USDA Rural Development, addressed the council asking for support for an upcoming summit to be held July 20, 2023, at the Grant County Veterans Memorial Business and Conference Center. She needed their input concerning the housing needs for our local area. Several different programs will be represented there for people to ask questions and get information.

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Grant County Commission holds work session 071823, part 4

[Editor's Note: This is part 4 of a series of articles on the Grant County Commission work session on July 18, 2023. It continues and completes county reports.)

By Mary Alice Murphy

Randy Villa, director of the General Services Department and fire management officer, was not present at the July 8, 2023 Grant County Commission work session, so Facilities and Grounds Superintendent Jason Lockett gave the report.

He explained that a microburst had created numerous leaks at the Grant County Veterans Memorial Business and Conference Center due to the ongoing roof replacement. "The company didn't get the roof covered up before the storm came off the mountains. It caused the loss of some ceiling tiles on the interior of the building. We had some extra tiles in storage that they are using to fix it. The company will have it ready for weekend events. They are very embarrassed about it."

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Lightning brings more wildfires to Gila National Forest

Noonday Fire reported today north of New Mexico Highway 152

SILVER CITY, NM, July 23, 2023 – The Noonday Fire was reported today on the Gila National Forest, Silver City Ranger District. It is located approximately 6 miles north of New Mexico Highway 152, southwest of Deadman Canyon and west of Noonday Canyon. It is estimated to be 5 acres in size.

"Recent thunderstorms have brought frequent lightning, with scattered rain that has shown mixed results in helping to suppress lightning strike fires," said Silver City District Ranger Elizabeth Toney. "Fire danger is still very high due to dry fuels, as evidenced by the large number of wildfire ignitions over the past ten days or so. Since July 12, at least 14 wildfires have occurred on the Gila National Forest, in addition to about a dozen that have been reported on other jurisdictions."

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Dark, Divide, and Davis fires update for July 23, 2023

RESERVE, NM, July 23, 2023 – The Dark, Divide, and Davis fires continue to burn at low to moderate fire intensity, with backing, flanking, and creeping observed yesterday. Crews have been aided by increased cloud cover and higher relative humidities that help reduce fire behavior. "Rain associated with passing showers is helping to reduce fire activity. However, shifting winds generate more intense localized fire activity and frequent lightning is bringing additional lightning strike wildfires to the area," said Incident Commander Pete Valenzuela.

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Hurley approves water development project

By Lynn Janes

The town of Hurley held a regular meeting July 11, 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, Reynaldo Maynes and Keana Huerta.

The council approved the agenda with a few changes in the order of topics.

The council approved the audit for fiscal year 2022. Lori Ortiz, city clerk, told the council that the audit did have a finding listed. The audit had failed to be turned in on time. This had not been the fault of Hurley but the auditors Stone and McGee. Mike Stone of Stone and McGee sent a letter to the state explaining that it had been their fault for the late submission. 

Public input

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