Front Page News
Rico Fire Update – June 25, 2023
- Category: Front Page News Front Page News
- Published: 25 June 2023 25 June 2023
Rico Fire Update – June 25, 2023
Location: ¼ mile NW of Pinos Altos, NM I Size: 421 acres I Containment: 50% I Personnel: 179
Start Date: June 20, 2023 I Cause: Under investigation I Fuels: Slash, timber and brush
SILVER CITY, NM, June 25, 2023 – As of last night, firefighters had reached 50% containment. Work to contain the fire continued through the night and steady progress is being made. Today’s Public Information Map that accompanies this Rico Fire Update shows the completed containment line as of early this morning. Firefighters are also mopping up, where they will check for and extinguish hot spots that may exist in the interior of the Rico Fire.
Some of their work also involves “cold trailing,” where firefighters will often use their bare hand to detect heat, not by touching a heat source, but by simply feeling the sensation of heat from a safe distance. If a heat source, such as smoldering stumps, roots, downed logs and woody debris is found, they will extinguish it by digging it out and/or using water to douse it. These measures are necessary to ensure that any potential ignition source is completely extinguished.
Road OPENED: Crash in Cliff area closes US 280 at milepost 56
- Category: Front Page News Front Page News
- Published: 25 June 2023 25 June 2023
As of 1:01 p.m. the roadway is now OPEN
ROAD CLOSURE
CRASH – Cliff Area
US 180 southbound is closed in both directions from milepost 56 due to a motor vehicle crash. Motorists are asked to reduce speed, obey posted signs, and watch for emergency personnel, and equipment. Please use extreme caution and expect delays.
Pass Fire Update June 25, 2023
- Category: Front Page News Front Page News
- Published: 25 June 2023 25 June 2023
Pass Fire
Gila National Forest Incident Commanders –Billy Trujillo, Dustin Roper (t)
Information Phone: 575-388-8211 Hours: 8 am-4:30 pm Email:2023.Pass@Firenet.gov
Acres: 54,454
Location: 40 miles west of Winston, NM
Containment: 13%
Personnel: 79
Start Date: May 18, 2023
Cause: Lightning
Fuels: Timber, pinon/juniper and grass
As expected yesterday, with drier conditions and gusty westerly winds, the Pass Fire moved through an additional 989 acres in the southeast portion near Green Fly Trail (26) and Burnt Corral Canyon, according to last night's infrared flight. Observed fire behavior is low to moderate, consuming small stands of piñon and juniper, downed logs, and dry vegetation. Fire crews including a hotshot crew are in that area working to upgrade and maintain existing trails and roads that will be used as containment lines to ensure the fire stays within the intended designated boundaries with the goal of protecting private property to the east and all values at risk. Additional growth of the Pass Fire is anticipated until a soaking rain event occurs.
Rico Fire Update – June 24, 2023
- Category: Front Page News Front Page News
- Published: 24 June 2023 24 June 2023
Map at bottom of article
Location: 1⁄4 mile NW of Pinos Altos, NM
Size: 421 acres*
Containment: 20%
Personnel: 195
Start Date: June 20, 2023
Cause: Under investigation
Fuels: Slash, timber and brush
*Size: adjusted from 423 acres back to 421 acres due to more accurate mapping
SILVER CITY, NM, June 24, 2023 – As strong, gusty winds materialized over the fire yesterday afternoon, firefighters were able to successfully hold the lines. Containment remains at 20% and the current size is 421 acres, all within the jurisdiction of the BLM Las Cruces District and NM State lands. Overall, fire behavior continues to lessen and in most areas is described as smoldering. The number of personnel increased slightly, in order to ensure that adequate resources were in place for Friday’s wind event. “We were able to anticipate the need for additional resources and equipment in a timely manner. Everyone was prepared and engaged according to plan. To date, there have been no reportable injuries or illnesses and we will focus on maintaining the health and safety of all personnel assigned to the Rico Fire,” said IncidentCommander Soliz. He added, “We also wish to extend our appreciation to the public for continuously expressing their thankfulness and support. We relay those positive sentiments to the firefighters at every opportunity.”
Pass Fire Update June 24, 2023
- Category: Front Page News Front Page News
- Published: 24 June 2023 24 June 2023
Map and Spanish version at bottom of article
Pass Fire
Gila National Forest Incident Commanders –Billy Trujillo Dustin Roper (t)
Information Phone: 575-388-8211 Hours: 8 am-4:30 pm
Acres: 53,465
Location: 40 miles west of Winston, NM
Containment: 13%
Personnel: 79
Email: 2023.Pass@Firenet.gov
Grant County Commission 060623 work session and regular meeting 060823 part 5
- Category: Front Page News Front Page News
- Published: 23 June 2023 23 June 2023
[Editor's Note: This article is the fifth of a series of articles on the Grant County Commission work session on June 6, 2023 and the regular meeting on June 8, 2023. This one begins the review of the regular meeting agenda and includes a presentation.]
By Mary Alice Murphy
County Manager Charlene Webb, at the June 6, 2023 Grant County Commission work session, began a review of the regular meeting agenda for June 8, 2023.
The first item of business was a public hearing on Ordinance No. O-23-05 to amend Ordinance No. 12-03. The amendment will repeal the sunset clause from countywide emergency communications and emergency medical and behavioral health services tax increment. "This is what funds those who answer emergency 911 calls at Dispatch. The issue will be decided by an all mail-in ballot for Aug. 22, 2023. I can't emphasize enough how much we need this to pass to continue funding our emergency calls. It is a 1/8 percent gross receipts tax. Without this tax, we might have to get an outside agency or have all the county agencies pay for it. This is the first step. It is critically important to pass this amendment. The ordinance was initially implemented to have a local service for the safety of our citizens."
Rico Fire Update – June 23, 2023
- Category: Front Page News Front Page News
- Published: 23 June 2023 23 June 2023
Location: 1⁄4 mile NW of Pinos Altos, NM I Size: 423 acres I Containment: 20% I Personnel: 170
Start Date: June 20, 2023 I Cause: Under investigation I Fuels: Slash, timber and brush
SILVER CITY, NM, June 23, 2023 – Firefighters have achieved 20% containment on the Rico Fire which is now 423 acres and remains within the jurisdiction of the BLM Las Cruces District and NM State lands. Fire behavior has moderated significantly, creeping and backing through small pockets of unburned fuel within the perimeter. As work continues on the containment lines, some areas require extra attention in anticipation of a Red Flag Warning that is expected to materialize later today. “Today’s weather conditions may test the fireline...we recognize the extensive hard work that has been completed over the past several days and we anticipate that the lines will hold,” said Incident Commander Soliz, adding “we will continue to engage the firefighting effort with our primary objective being firefighter and public safety,” he added.
Pass Fire Update June 23, 2023
- Category: Front Page News Front Page News
- Published: 23 June 2023 23 June 2023
Pass Fire
Gila National Forest Incident Commanders – Billy Trujillo - Dustin Roper IC (t)
Information Phone: 575-388-8211 Hours: 8 am-4:30 pm
Acres: 53,091
Location: 40 miles west of Winston, NM
Containment: 13%
Personnel: 79
Email: 2023.Pass@Firenet.go
Yesterday's reconnaissance flight showed minimal fire activity and no change in acreage on the Pass Fire.
Firefighters worked along Indian Creek securing the containment line to prevent any future fire activity from pushing west of the creek. Fire crews remain on the south end of the fire perimeter, to ensure any smoldering fire does not cross the Middle Fork. Interior smokes still exist within the perimeter of the fire.
Stronger winds and a Red Flag warning today may increase fire activity. Firefighters are monitoring the fire area and are ready to conduct suppression tactics if necessary to protect values at risk.