Crews continue work on wildfires across Gila National Forest

SILVER CITY, NM, Aug. 2, 2023 – Crews are employing a variety of strategies on the wildfires across the Gila National Forest. While containment is increasing on some, others are moving at a slow to moderate rate in extremely rough and rugged terrain and still others are being checked by lookouts and aircraft as needed.  The following is a summary of fire activity: 

Reserve Ranger District:

The Divide Fire started July 13 and is 18,085 acres, 34% contained and 140 personnel assigned. On Tuesday, resources continued patrolling, and mopping up along containment lines from Horse Camp Canyon to the south and west along FR 30. Crews reinforced the containment line along FR 28 to the south toward FR 143 and from West Elk Tank west along FR 143 to Slater Tank. Crews are using aerial ignitions on ridgelines above La Jolla Canyon to the east of the fire perimeter. Wednesday’s plan is to complete firing operations on the southwest corner of the fire, which will establish a secure perimeter.

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Cobre Summerfest 072923

Photos by Mary Alice Murphy

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Silver City fireman shows a family the equipment they carry.

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Students and parents learn about fire equipment carried by the departments.

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Kids navigate the slalom course of traffic cones.

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A large course was set up.

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A student attempts to get higher on the climbing wall.

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Lillian Galloway of the Silver City Public Library talks about the library resources.

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Informational tents were set up for each school in the Cobre District.

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Cobre High School talks to parents and students.

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Annette Toney of Girl Scouts of the Desert Southwest hands out information to parents and girls

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Bayard Public Library Lbrarian Sonya Dixon and Jenny Castañon show off their new banner.

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Jocelyn Palmer and Sofia Vega represent El Refugio Inc. domestic violence shelter.

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Cobre School Board member Gilbert Guadian drips from just coming out of the Dunk Tank

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Healthy Kids, Healthy Communities Coordinator Alicia Edwards and her assistant coordinator give out information on the program.

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Apache drummers entertain the crowds.

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Steve Armendariz shows off his 1941 restored Chevy pickup.

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Some of the older vehicles as part of the car show portion of the event.

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More cars.

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Newer vehicles in the car show.

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Some of the food trucks.

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More vendors, almost as far as the eye can see.

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People wait in line for something to eat.

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The Cobre Indian, sweltering in a hot costume on a hot day.

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A Cobre school bus

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The Blue Bear representing Blue Cross Blue Shield health insurance.

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From left are Bayard Police Chief Hector Carrillo, BPD Lt. Manuel Galaz, New Mexico State Police Patrolman Justin McNett, BPD Sgt. Trevor Jensen and BPD Patrol Officer Louis Gomez

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Lanıyah Gonzales shows off her painted face.

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Gila Regional Medical Center EMS ambulance lets people see what it looks like inside.

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GRMC EMS representatives Dina Rogers and Julissa Alaniz.

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Grant County Sheriff's Office D.A.R.E representatives handing out shirts, from left are Deputy Shelby Mead and Cpl. Jade Binavidez

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The Vet Center mobile display representative hands out information for veterans.

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Bayard Fire Department was on hand with information for residents.

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Pinos Altos Volunteer Fire Department member shows Asher Mosher what a fire jacket and helmet feels like and shows him how to hold a fire hose.

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Eddie Mendoza and Seth Neal represent the Silver City Fire Department.

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Neal shows how to use a fire extinguisher with the PASS system, Pull pin, Aim, Squeeze handle and Sweep.

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Neal shows the sweeping motion.

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On a hot Saturday, July 19, 2023, Cobre Consolidated Schools hosted the second annual back-to-school event, Summerfest. The vendor total tripled from 50 last year to 150 this year, with participation from Silver City groups, Mining District representatives, and with music and activities for kids. Each student had a form to fill out with 15 signatures from various entities in order to get a free backpack and school supplies. Students from all area schools were welcome to participate. 

Fire personnel dispatched to Dolan Fire on Gila National Forest

Black Range Ranger District

TRUTH OR CONSEQUENCES, NM, July 31, 2023 – Fire crews are working on a new wildfire called the Dolan Fire on the Black Range Ranger District of the Gila National Forest. The fire was reported on July 30 near the Dolan Peak area in Catron County. It is estimated at 113 acres.

Resources assigned to the incident include smoke jumpers and a district engine for a total of 10 personnel. They are assessing FS Road 4052P and the Continental Divide Trail (CDT) for containment options. The vegetation where the fire is located is primarily ponderosa pine, grass and pinyon-juniper. Intermittent precipitation has fallen in this part of the forest over the past few days. Smoke may be visible from Highway 59 around the Beaverhead area.

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SC police to increase patrols in specific areas

By Lynn Janes

The Silver City Town Council held a regular meeting July 25, 2023. The meeting started with Mayor Ken Ladner calling the meeting to order and leading the Pledge of Allegiance and salute to the New Mexico state flag. Council members attending the meeting included Jose Ray, Nicholas Prince, Guadalupe Cano, and Rudy Bencomo.

The council approved the agenda.

Ceremonies none currently.

Proclamations none currently.

Council comments

Bencomo wanted to apologize to the Trujillo family that recently had suffered a lot of damage to their home and vehicles. “I know it is frustrating and I understand the problems you are facing in your neighborhood.” He asked Police Chief Portillo if they had a plan in place to help. Portillo said he had met with Sheriff Villanueva, and they will be putting together a joint plan to target specific areas in the southeast of town. Bencomo thanked the press for the write up on the incident.

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UPDATE:Missing Endangered Person Advisory – Deming, NM – Paige Ella Barthe

paige barthe copyDeming, NM – Paige Ella Barthe has been located and is safe. 

Deming, NM – The following information is for the distribution of a Missing Endangered Person Advisory from the New Mexico State Police.

The New Mexico State Police is asking the public for assistance in locating Paige Ella Barthe, 20, of Lafayette, LA. She was last seen on Interstate 10 around milepost 23 in a white 2021 Buick with a Massachusetts license plate of 2CNV65. She is traveling with Omaree Vijay Tyson, 41, of Fridley, MN. They are believed to be headed toward Arizona, but their destination is not known.

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Two men arrested for trespassing

By Roger Lanse

On Friday, July 21, 2023, Silver City Police Department officers arrested two men for trespassing.

At 5:19 p.m., an officer saw Eddie Herrera, 36, address listed as homeless, at the Visitor Center.
The officer was advised by the Grant County Regional Dispatch Authority that Herrera had been issued a criminal trespass warning (CTW) for the Visitor Center on July 14, 2023, by an SCPD officer. Herrera was placed under arrest, according to an SCPD incident report, handcuffed, and booked into the Grant County Detention Center.

At 10:34 p.m. officers responded to a call from Gila Regional Medical Center in reference to an unwanted subject. GCRDA told the responding officer that Michael White, 47, address listed as homeless, had been discharged from the ER but was refusing to leave. White had been issued an indefinite CTW for GRMC on June 22. 2023, by an SCPD officer, unless he was receiving medical treatment.

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Cobre board approves handbooks

By Lynn Janes

The Cobre Consolidated Schools held a board meeting at on July 10, 2023. Gabriella Begay called the meeting to order. Other board members in attendance included, Gilbert Guadiana, David Terrazas (online) and Elizabeth Dean. Acting superintendent Michael Koury also attended. Serena Murillo didn't attend.

Reading of the board norms took place with each board member reading a norm. The norms consist of five rules the board strives to adhere to during the meeting. They are listed as actively listen to all perspectives, respond to concerns and questions as a unified board, professionalism expected, assume positive intent, and be positive and responsive.

The Pledge of Allegiance and salute to the New Mexico flag took place.

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Video added: Mimbres Culture Heritage Site's Annual Hummingbird Festival Fascinates

Photos, video and article by T.A. Niles

Hummingbird Festival

The Humming bird Festival information board and schedule.

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Blair Wolf frees hummingbird from cage

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Hummingbiird closeup

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Hummingbird closeup

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Blair Wolf of UNM Albuquerque with MVHAL board member Cheryl Howard (purple) and others

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Blair Wolf holds hummingbird for girl to stroke

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Girl strokes hummingbird in hand

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Bill Talbot of the University of New Mexico informs the crowd

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Bill Talbot releases hummingbird

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Sandy Cruz releases hummingbird

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Carlos Martinez del Rio holds hummingbird for girl to hear

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Jason Kitting & Bill Talbot of the University of New Mexico, Albuquerque explain banding

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Curious onlooker watches Jason Kitting of UNM band a hummingbird

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Carlos Martinez del Rio holds hummingbird for woman to hear

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Carlos Martinez del Rio with hummingbird and group

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Closeup of Carlos Martinez del Rio with hummingbird in hand

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Carlos Martinez del Rio holds hummingbird for Mimbres resident Michael Williams to hear

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Chris DeBolt runs the raffle

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Mimbres Culture Heritage Site booth

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Mimbres residents John & Terry of Terry's Barn

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Mimbres resident Michael Williams & Blair Wolf

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Rick Lass Seed (left) and associate at the Southwest NM Seed Library booth

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Art vendor Steve Miller

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Art vendor Val Weston

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Food vendor Duckstop

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Hummingbird Festival
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The Mimbres Culture Heritage Site held the first day of its annual Hummingbird Festival on Saturday, July 29 and also hosted the final day Sunday, July 30, from 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM, at 12 Sage Drive in Mimbres. If you have never held a delicate hummingbird in your hands or heard its humming right next to your ear, being on hand was an excellent opportunity for you to cuddle a hummingbird and hear its rapid heartbeat up close.

With University of New Mexico Albuquerque experts Drs. Blair Wolf and Bill Talbot, along with undergraduate student Jason Kitting on hand to share their knowledge, and guide attendees in handling the delicate and universally adored hummingbirds, many festival goers took advantage of the opportunity to release banded hummingbirds into the brilliant Mimbres, New Mexico sky.

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