Here’s a look at today’s headlines:
The North Fire on the Magdalena Ranger District grew in size and is now over 21,000 acres and at 30% containment. Acreage will increase daily as ignition operations continue. The North Fire is located in the San Mateo Mountains 25 miles southwest of Magdalena. It continues to be actively managed for multiple resource benefits. An open house will be held on June 16th at 5 pm at the Magdalena Ranger District Conference Room to give the surrounding communities a wildland fire update and an opportunity to ask questions about the North Fire.
In addition to the North Fire, five other fires are currently burning in New Mexico. These wildfires include the Escondida Fire in Socorro County, which is 524 acres and 78% contained; the McKenna Fire on the Gila National Forest which is 10,210 acres and being managed for resource benefit; the Ramona Fire in Lea County that has burned 150 acres and is fully contained; the Spur Fire in the Gila National Forest, which has burned 2,700 acres and is being managed for resource benefit; and the Turkey Fire in the Gila National Forest that has burned 1,682 acres and is also being managed.
89% of Americans receive unwanted calls according to a recent survey by YouGov. The survey, commissioned by call blocking specialists CPR Call Blocker revealed the top 5 types of scams people have fallen victim to. The list concluded that IRS scams (33%), Credit/Loan scams (31%) Lottery/Sweepstake scams (27%), Banking scams (22%) and Automated Message Scams (16%) have scammed the most victims. The survey also showed that 11% of US adults have been a victim of a telephone scam, and 20% of those said they lost between $500 and $10,000 as a result. The survey also determined that 14% of people receive over 30 unwanted calls each month.
New Mexico State Auditor Tim Keller sent a Risk Advisory to government agencies and schools across the state alerting officials to a wire transfer scam targeting public money. Scammers posing as high-level government officials wrote emails directing financial staff to make wire transfers in large amounts. Employees at Zuni Public Schools, Deming Public Schools and San Miguel County initiated transfers to the scammers totaling over $100,000 from public funds. The schools were able to stop the transfers before the funds were processed but the county was not, resulting in $38,000 in stolen funds. The three cases were reported to the Office of the State Auditor (OSA), and the OSA is aware that other agencies around the state have been targeted.
