Here’s a look at today’s headlines:
The Black Fire is now being reported as having burned 149 acres and 40% contained. No structures are currently being threatened, and ground crews are continuing with fires suppression activities. The Barker Dome Fire on the Southern Ute Reservation has burned approximately 30 acres of land and is 10% contained. The Black Range Complex Fire in the Gila National Forest has burned a total of 2,355 acres and is being managed for multiple resource benefit. The Brunton Ranch Fire has burned approximately 40 acres in Lea County and is now under control. The Clavel Fire near Roy in Harding County is 95% contained. The Guadal Fire in the Lincoln National Forest is 30% contained after burning 139 acres. The Monastery Fire that burned two acres near Jemez Springs in Sandoval County is 100% contained. The School Fire on the Reserve Ranger District has burned an estimated 5,905 acres and is 20% contained, and the Shoemaker Fire has burned 1.5 acres on the north side of the Capitan Mountains and is being monitored.
The Silver City Elks Lodge put together and installed some brand new cabinets and a stainless steel table for the soup kitchen at the Gospel Mission last weekend. The cabinets will be used to store hygiene items like towels, toilet paper, toothpaste, shampoo and soap.
According to the New Mexico State Police, at about 6:45 on Wednesday afternoon a vehicle of indeterminable year and make was destroyed in a single vehicle crash on US 180 at NM 101, across from Jensen’s Mobile Home Park. The Police spokesman stated that the two females were taken to Gila Regional Medical Center, where the 21-year-old driver was arrested for DWI. The crash resulted in the two-door sedan catching fire and igniting the dry fuels on the north side of the highway. The Mangas Valley Fire quickly grew to 90 acres and threatened two structures. As of yesterday afternoon, Grant County Fire Management Officer Randy Villa said the fire had been contained and partially controlled, and that the fire was in the mop-up stage now.
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack recently announce that the US Department of Agriculture will fund 81 Distance Learning and Telemedicine projects in 32 states. These projects will help connect rural communities with medical and educational experts in other parts of the country, increasing access to health care, substance misuse treatment and advanced educational opportunities.
The Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act passed the Senate last night by a vote of 92-2. The legislation provides a series of incentives and resources designed to encourage states and local communities to pursue a full array of proven strategies to combat and treat prescription opioid abuse and heroin addiction. The legislation now goes to the president to be signed into law.
The U.S. House passed the Department of the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act of 2017. Western Caucus Members secured a host of provisions reining in Obama Administration regulatory overreach and ensuring more responsible stewardship of western lands and natural resources.
