Front Page News
Black Fire June 24, 2022 Daily Update
- Category: Front Page News Front Page News
- Published: 24 June 2022 24 June 2022
Early monsoon rainfall sets records on the Black Fire
June 24, 2022 Daily Update
Acres: 325,133 acres
Containment: 70%
Total Personnel: 548
Cause: Human-caused, under investigation
Start Date: Friday, May 13, 2022
Location: 31 miles northwest of Truth or Consequences, NM
Fuels: Timber and tall grass
Highlights: Near record to record rainfall has occurred across the southern portions of the Black Fire, slowing firefighter repair efforts. According to the National Weather Service in El Paso, the previous record for the highest 3-day total in the month of June was 3.08 inches at reporting sites around the Black Range. Since June 16, total rainfall at observation locations around the Black Fire was approximately 4.59 inches in Emory Pass, 3.67 inches in Kingston, and 3.94 inches in Percha.
The Black Fire Emergency Closure remains in effect on National Forest System lands around the Black Fire area. Additional information is available at: https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/gila/alerts-notices/?aid=73435.
Gila National Forest Lifts Stage II Fire Restrictions
- Category: Front Page News Front Page News
- Published: 24 June 2022 24 June 2022
Silver City, NM - June 24 — The Gila National Forest has lifted all fire restrictions as of 8:00 A.M. today. Forest leadership decided to lift stage II restrictions based on several factors, including a favorable monsoonal weather forecast, fewer human-caused wildfires, and adequate firefighting staffing. Fire managers will continue to monitor current and forecasted weather and fuel conditions as they return to everyday resource management practices. The forest's fire danger level has decreased from "extreme" to "moderate." Regardless of the change in restrictions and danger levels, the potential for a significant wildfire remains. So forest staff urges the public to stay vigilant and use any fire source in a safe and non-destructive manner.
We appreciate the public's support of our recent fire restrictions," said Michael Martinez, Forest Supervisor of the Gila National Forest. "While campfires and cooking fires are now allowed, we urge the public to remain fire aware and properly extinguish their fires."
Roadway closure for chip seal operations on NM 15
- Category: Front Page News Front Page News
- Published: 24 June 2022 24 June 2022
SILVER CITY - The New Mexico Department of Transportation (NMDOT) District One office will be continuing a maintenance operation project to place "chip seal" pavement on various roadways in Grant County. The NMDOT has a planned roadway closure in place for NM 15 from milepost 7 (Pinos Altos) to the intersection of NM 35.
Beginning Monday, June 27, and continuing daily until Thursday, June 30, 2022. NM 15 will be closed from 8 a.m. until 5:30 p.m. Detour will be on NM 35 to NM 152. Closure will be in place for the safety of the traveling public and crew in the area.
Motorists are asked to reduce speed, obey posted signs, and use extreme caution, as well as continue to be cautious of heavy equipment and construction personnel in the area. Center striping will not be present in construction zones.
Grant County Commission hears several presentations at work session 062122, part 3
- Category: Front Page News Front Page News
- Published: 23 June 2022 23 June 2022
This one addresses the third presentation at the work session by Becky O'Connor giving the tourism marketing update.
[This is the third in a series of articles on the Grant County Commission meetings.]
By Mary Alice Murphy
The third presentation came from the chair of the County Lodger's Tax Advisory Board Becky O'Connor, co-owner of Casitas de Gila.
"On the year just finished, Sunny505, who markets for Silver City and Grant County, provided a digital ad campaign on Facebook, which targeted people from the ages of 35-65, who enjoy the outdoors," O'Connor reported. "The ads focused on Albuquerque, Las Cruces, El Paso and Tucson, for the drive market. It was more local for those who wanted to drive to a destination, during and immediately after the lockdowns due to the pandemic. The campaign garnered 1.2 million impressions. In addition, we had New Mexico Tourism providing programmatic ads that show up on whatever website a person is browsing. Those got 800,000 impressions. The state also uses Facebook ads, which received 2.3 million impressions."
Grant County Commission hears several presentations at work session 062122, part 2
- Category: Front Page News Front Page News
- Published: 23 June 2022 23 June 2022
This one addresses the first presentation at the work session by SE Group on the outdoor recreation plan.
[This is the second in a series of articles on the Grant County Commission meetings.]
By Mary Alice Murphy
The Grant County Commission work session had a bare quorum, with District 1 Commissioner and Chair Chris Ponce, as well as District 2 Commissioner Javier "Harvey" Salas out due to illness.
District 5 Commissioner and Vice Chair Harry Browne led the meeting.
The first presentation came via Zoom from the SE Group giving an update on the county's Outdoor Recreation and Trails Master Plan.
El Incendio Black - Actualización diaria del 23 de junio de 2022
- Category: Front Page News Front Page News
- Published: 23 June 2022 23 June 2022
El clima retrasa la reparación de la extinción en el incendio Black
Actualización diaria del 23 de junio de 2022
Acres: 325,133 acres
Contención: 68%
Personal total: 640
Causa:de orígen human, a ser determinada
Fecha de inicio: Viernes 13 de mayo de 2022
Ubicación: 31 millas al noroeste de Truth or Consequences, NM
Combustibles: Coníferas mixtas y hierba alta
Black Fire June 23, 2022 Daily Update
- Category: Front Page News Front Page News
- Published: 23 June 2022 23 June 2022
Weather delays suppression repair on the Black Fire
June 23, 2022 Daily Update
Acres: 325,133 acres
Containment: 68%
Total Personnel: 640
Cause: Human-caused, under investigation
Start Date: Friday, May 13, 2022
Location: 31 miles northwest of Truth or Consequences, NM
Fuels: Timber and tall grass
Highlights: Fire suppression repair has been hindered by significant rainfall received over the past three days. Standing water has been observed along the fire boundary with many drainages and waterways running from the storms in the interior canyons, including Las Palomas, Animas, and Percha Creek.
Grant County Commission holds lengthy work session 062122 part 1
- Category: Front Page News Front Page News
- Published: 22 June 2022 22 June 2022
[Editor's Note: This is the first of a multi-series of articles on the Grant County Commission work session on June 21, 2022, the only work session this month. It begins with a fairly urgent report from the Gila National Forest addressing the Black Fire and likely flooding impacts during the monsoon.)
By Mary Alice Murphy
Grant County commissioners heard several presentations at the single work session this month held on June 21, 2022.
The second presentation addressed an update on the ongoing Black Fire, which is located in a portion of Grant County.
Henry Provencio, Gila National Forest wilderness district ranger, gave a bit of history. The Black Fire began on May 13, 2022 and has grown to more than 325,000 acres. He reported it is now 68 percent contained, with the majority of the activity currently in the southern part of the fire, especially in the Hillsboro area. Southwest Incident Command Team 4 is managing the fire.