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Low intensity fire continues consuming understory fuels in grass and pine forest
TRUTH OR CONSESQUENCES, NM, May 26, 2023 – The Pass Fire on the Gila National Forest, Black Range Ranger District has grown to approximately 7,261 acres since it ignited May 17. It is located south of New Mexico Highway 59, about 1.5 miles west of Wolf Hollow Campground, and along the northern Gila Wilderness boundary. A Type 3 Incident Management Team will assume command of the fire tomorrow morning.
“We are allowing fire to play its natural role in this fire-dependent ecosystem, while protecting firefighter and public safety, infrastructure, and other values at risk,” said Agency Administrator Elizabeth Toney. “The fire burned fairly quickly through continuous grass across Cooney Prairie, and is currently creeping through pine understory, backing down slopes and occasionally torching in regenerating junipers.”
Ponderosa pine forests in the Southwest were sculpted by frequent, low-to-moderate fire conditions that promoted open, multi-aged stands on a diverse landscape with variable fuels that resisted large continuous fires.
[Editor's Note: This is the eighth and final article of a multi-part series on the Grant County Commission's work session on May 9, 2023 and regular meeting on May 11, 2023. This article continues with a review of the regular meeting agenda at the work session and provides decisions made at the regular meeting.]
By Mary Alice Murphy
The Grant County Commission, at its work session on May 9, 2023 continued to review the regular meeting agenda. County Manager Charlene Webb talked about the asset deletions and transfers, which were numerous. At the regular meeting, commissioners approved the transfer of a 2013 Ford Escape to the Grant County Airport. A request from the WNMU Police Academy garnered the program 15 old GoPro 7 cameras and accessories. Various items could not be located, including lawn mowers and furniture, but they were obsolete or no longer needed, so the county approved their deletion from their assets.
Commissioners approved a memorandum of understanding between the county and the Sixth Judicial District to renew pre-trial services. The county contributes $70,000 a year to the program. "That why we see our inmate population be lower than previously," Webb said.
NM 152 Roadway Opening
KINGSTON – The New Mexico Department of Transportation (NMDOT) has reopened NM 152 "Geronimo Trail Scenic Byway" as of 3 p.m. today.
In March, the NMDOT had to close NM 152 due to stress cracks found in the pavement just east of Emory Pass. Inspection determined that the material under the roadway had become overly saturated due to our wet winter months. With the abundance of moisture under the roadway sandwiched between the original roadbed, expansion occurred causing large cracks to form. The crew has been on site making repairs and repaving.
NMDOT appreciates the patience of users of NM 152 and is happy to announce the beautiful Geronimo Trail Scenic Byway has officially reopened!
The New Mexico Department of Transportation is committed to the safety of the traveling public and appreciates your cooperation with this closure. For updated information visit: New Mexico Department of Transportation at www.nmroads.com or call 511.
FIRE WEATHER WATCH IN EFFECT FOR SATURDAY AFTERNOON FOR GILA NATIONAL FOREST AND BLACK RANGE... .Dry, southwest flow will increase along western New Mexico on Saturday as moisture remains confined to the east. Winds will become breeze during the afternoon with 20-foot gusts up to 25 mph. This is combine with very low relative humidity to create dangerous fire conditions. Fuel conditions have drier quickly since last week's rains and are once again susceptible to fire spread. Conditions will improve after sunset when temperatures decrease and winds become light and terrain-driven.
...FIRE WEATHER WATCH IN EFFECT FROM SATURDAY AFTERNOON THROUGH
SATURDAY EVENING FOR STRONG WINDS AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY FOR
FIRE WEATHER ZONE 110...
The National Weather Service in El Paso Tx/Santa Teresa has
issued a Fire Weather Watch, which is in effect from Saturday
afternoon through Saturday evening.
[Editor's Note: This is the seventh of a multi-part series of articles on the Grant County Commission's work session on May 9, 2023 and regular meeting on May 11, 2023. This article continues with a review of the regular meeting agenda at the work session and continues with a report from GRMC and several agenda items at the regular meeting.]
By Mary Alice Murphy
County Manager Charlene Webb continued the work session review of the regular meeting agenda of May 11, 2923. The next item addressed the monthly Gila Regional Medical Center update to the commissioners.
Interim Chief Nursing Officer Cynthia Lewis gave a brief report. She noted that the days of cash on hand for the hospital had risen to 111 in March. The hospital had a loss of $5,000 in March, but that was almost break even, which is the goal of the administration. "We expect a good fourth quarter of the fiscal year."
District 1 Commissioner and Chair Chris Ponce asked if the hospital has begun its 5-year plan on infrastructure.
Lewis said she thought so but could not give any detail, but she would ask Interim Chief Executive Officer Margie Molitor and Chief Financial Officer Patrick Banks to give an update when they return. She also thanked them for the proclamations for the hospital, nurses and EMS.
Left to right NMFA Managing Director Lending Ron Cruz, Regional Finance Managers Mark Montoya and Ryan Olguin, Lead Finance Manager Carmela Manzari, and SWNMCOG Director Priscilla Lucero
Photo and article By Lynn Janes
As part of a statewide tour NMFA (New Mexico Finance Authority) visited Silver City to provide information about the organization. The state legislature created NMFA in 1992, with the intent to help with financing for projects that impacted infrastructure, economic development, and the quality of life in New Mexico. When the agency started, it had 30 employees and now has grown to 60.
The meeting took place May 18, 2023, at the Grant County Veterans Memorial Business and Conference Center. They had also offered the meeting through Zoom. Four finance directors attended, and others attended online.
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