Here’s a look at today’s headlines:

There was minimal growth on the 4,000-acre Moore Fire in the Gila Wilderness on the Wilderness Ranger District Wednesday. Due to increased humidity and scattered rain showers over the fire, observed fire behavior was smoldering and creeping along the ground through grass and brush.   The most active parts of the fire were within scattered pine stringers throughout the management area.  Minimal growth occurred along the northeast perimeter near Tom Moore Canyon.  The Moore Fire was not aerially mapped on Tuesday as there was active lightning over the fire area late afternoon.

The Hog Fire grew about 1,200 acres during the past 24 hours. It moved northwesterly toward Skeleton Canyon with fire progressing slowly up the drainages, leaving behind a desirable landscape mosaic pattern that is very beneficial for the watershed.  Geronimo Trail Road remains closed where it enters the Coronado National Forest. Additionally the area closure, which extends north beyond Skeleton Canyon, remains in effect until fire suppression activities terminate.

Senator Tom Udall and U.S Rep. Michelle Lujan Grisham will speak at an event hosted by SMSgt Jessey Baca and his wife, Maria, to recognize the establishment of the federal burn pit registry. The burn pit registry is the first step toward providing medical care and research for service members and veterans who were exposed to toxic chemicals and fumes from open air burn pits in Iraq and Afghanistan. The event will also welcome the passage of a bill in the New Mexico State Legislature, the Senior Master Sergeant Jessey Baca Military Airborne Hazards and Open Burn Pit Registry Act, which was introduced by New Mexico State Senator Michael Padilla and will go into effect as law on July 1.

The Luna County Commission was scheduled to vote yesterday on whether to sign a Joint Powers Agreement to join the New Mexico CAP Entity that will be responsible for the design, construction, operation and maintenance of the proposed Gila River Diversion Project.  The New Mexico Interstate Stream Commission approved a Joint Powers Agreement on June 9th as part of the Federal Arizona Water Settlement Act.