[Editor's Note: This is part 2 of a multi-article series on the Grant County Commission's work session and regular meeting June 8 and 10, 2021.]

The second presentation at the Grant County Commission work session on June 8, 2021, came from Silver City District Ranger Beth Ihle and Recreation Program Manager Christa Osborn.

Ihle reported on the vegetation work the forest has been implementing. "We have had very successful prescribed burns. We burned about 5,000 acres in the Burros; we did thinning in the Georgetown area; and we did a fall burn last year in Jaybird Canyon north of Signal Peak. We are putting in an application along with the NRCS (Natural Resources Conservation Service) for funds for vegetation management. We want to do more thinning in the WUI (Wildland Urban interface). The NRCS has programs for private property owners that want to manage their vegetation. Areas we are looking at for management are Bear Creek to Signal Peak, the XYZ Ranch and the Pinos Altos area. We mirror the Grant County WUI priorities in the management plan. The state and BLM are also doing work."

She noted the ongoing fires as of Tuesday. They include the Drummond Fire in the Black Range, "which has slopped over into Grant County, although it's in the T or C Ranger District. It's about 500 acres and didn't really get going, but we're still watching it. The Johnson Fire in Catron County west of the Gila Cliff Dwellings in the wilderness continues to grow. [Today, June 11, it is at more than 50,000 acres.] It is having an impact on recreation, with the closing of the Cliff Dwellings. It has a big footprint, and it has limitations on fighting it because it is in the wilderness. So far, White Creek Cabin is fine. We brought in additional crews from Montana and Wyoming. They rotate in and out. We have a cooperative relationship with them. We get started first and end last, but we help them when they need it. I also want to thank the volunteer fire departments for helping us with new starts. We had a small one near Fierro."

Two additional COVID-19 deaths

SANTA FE – New Mexico state health officials on Friday announced 130 additional COVID-19 cases. Per the state Department of Health, the most recent cases are:

35 new cases in Bernalillo County
4 new cases in Chaves County
1 new case in Cibola County
1 new case in Colfax County
2 new cases in Curry County
2 new cases in De Baca County
9 new cases in Doña Ana County
1 new case in Eddy County
1 new case in Grant County
1 new case in Guadalupe County
1 new case in Lea County
2 new cases in Los Alamos County
2 new cases in Luna County
1 new case in Otero County
6 new cases in Quay County
4 new cases in Rio Arriba County
6 new cases in Sandoval County
32 new cases in San Juan County
10 new cases in Santa Fe County
4 new cases in Taos County
2 new cases in Torrance County
2 new cases in Valencia County
1 new case among individuals held by federal agencies at the Otero County Processing Center

The Department of Health on Friday reported two additional deaths in New Mexico related to COVID-19:

ALBUQUERQUE, NM, June 11, 2021—Fire activity is increasing across the Southwestern Region with several large fires burning in Arizona and New Mexico and it may be confusing trying to discern what is happening and where. The seven-day forecast for significant fire potential shows the current warm and breezy trend changing to hot and dry with the potential for lightning, which might mean even more fire activity. Living in the Southwest, we need to be prepared for wildfires and smoke at any time of the year.

One way to be prepared is to be informed about fire activity. Whether you are looking for the Johnson Fire in the Gila Wilderness, the Telegraph Fire on the Tonto National Forest, the Mescal Fire on BLM land or one of the other fires burning in the region, the public can find the information they need (including contact information) at the following websites:

InciWeb https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/
Southwestern Region https://www.fs.usda.gov/goto/r3/safety
Arizona https://wildlandfire.az.gov/wildfire-situation
New Mexico https://nmfireinfo.com/

If you see smoke or suspect a wildfire do not fly your Unmanned Aerial System (UAS). Call 911 or local emergency services to report the fire. UAS are a great tool for assisting on wildfires, but if an unauthorized aircraft enters the fire traffic area it puts our firefighters at great risk. Remember if you fly, we can't!

Southwest Desert/Lower Gila River Valley-Lowlands of the Bootheel-
Uplands of the Bootheel-Sierra County Lakes-
Including the cities of Lordsburg, Red Rock, Virden,
Antelope Wells, Animas, Hachita, Cloverdale,
Truth Or Consequences, Derry, and Spaceport
208 PM MDT Fri Jun 11 2021

...HEAT ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM NOON SATURDAY TO MIDNIGHT MDT
SUNDAY NIGHT...

* WHAT...High temperatures of 105 to 107 expected for much of
the area in the advisory.

SILVER CITY, NM After navigating many challenges brought by the Covid-19 pandemic, the board of directors of the Mimbres Region Arts Council announces a series of actions to preserve the ongoing mission and impact of the Arts Council.

Due to short-term fiscal realities, Executive Director Kevin Lenkner presented recommendations to ensure the Arts Council has the needed financial resources to continue operations into 2022 and beyond. With unanimous approval, the board is adopting the following actions:

1. Furlough all staff until such time that adequate funds are secured to restore pre-pandemic operations.

2. Focus on the production of the 2022 Silver City Blues Festival. Explore a February 2022 Chocolate Fantasia to raise funds for the festival.

3. Pause other MRAC events and activities until resources become available to restore them safely and sustainably.

4. Form a community-based advisory team to explore ways to restore and sustain MRAC activities and events. Form a Blues Fest 2022 action team to focus on this major event.

During the pandemic, MRAC has worked to have local artists and partners carry on the Youth Mural program and the Southwest Print Fiesta. Members of the community stepped up to ensure these beloved activities would continue.

Luna County, NM – On June 10, 2021, at approximately 2:24 p.m., the New Mexico State Police investigated a one vehicle fatal rollover crash on State Road 9, near mile post 98, east of Columbus, NM. The initial investigation indicated a 2016 Toyota Tacoma pickup, driven by a 59-year-old female from Oklahoma was traveling west on State Road 9. For reasons still under investigation, the Toyota left the roadway and rolled. The driver sustained unknown injuries. She was transported by air to the University Medical Hospital in El Paso, Texas.

There were two passengers in the vehicle at the time of the crash, a 16-year-old male from Mexico and Maria I. Segovia De Talamantes (63) of Oklahoma. Talamantes sustained fatal injuries in the crash and was pronounced deceased on scene by the Office of Medical Investigator. The 16-year-old, who was not wearing a seatbelt, was ejected from the vehicle. He sustained unknown injuries and was transported by air to the University Medical Center in El Paso, Texas.

Fatigue appears to be a factor in the crash and seatbelts were only properly utilized by the driver and Talamantes. Alcohol was not a factor. For the privacy, the name of the driver and 16-year-old passenger will not be released by State Police. This crash remains under investigation by the New Mexico State Police.