The Western Institute for Lifelong Learning in Silver City is inviting the community to a presentation by Eric Head, the Trout Unlimited Gila Trout Project Manager tomorrow, July 24th. Mr. Head will be discussing the history of the Gila Trout and the efforts that have been made to restore the Gila Trout Habitat that was damaged by the Baldy Fire. The presentation will take place at 12:00 p.m. at the Besse-Forward Global Resource Center on the Western New Mexico University campus and is free and open to the community.
Congratulations to Silver City Conservation Officer Adan Jacquez who was named the “2023 Shikar Safari Officer and the Southwest Area Officer of the Year” by the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish. Sergeant Jacquez was selected based on his hard work ethic, tireless efforts investigating wildlife crimes, his support to other officers as a Field Training Officer, handling numerous wildlife calls and for making time to be a part of several public outreach events and presentations. Sergeant Jacquez was also recognized for being an excellent role model that takes pride in teaching young officers how to be safe and successful Game Wardens.
Gila National Forest Firefighters were kept busy over the weekend, chasing numerous lightning strike fires as they continued to work the Lolo, Ridge and Paramount fires. Fire activity is winding down on the Ridge, Lolo and Paramount fires after each of them received a significant amount of rain over the weekend. The Lolo Fire is 100 percent contained, with no smoke visible. The Paramount Fire is 99 percent contained, with some residual interior heat and smoke that may be visible during the hottest period of the day and the Ridge Fire is 75 percent contained with a few sources of heat smoldering in interior heavy fuels. Continued rain is in the forecast for the Gila National Forest over the week, which will continue to support greening of fine fuels, reducing their ability to carry fire.
In Hidalgo County News:
Animas High School students Kohan Evans and Journey Sheehan were recently chosen by New Mexico Rural Electricity Cooperatives, Columbus Electric, to travel to Santa Fe and Washington D.C. as part of their “Youth Tour” program. Both students had the opportunity to get a tour of the Roundhouse, meet with different Senators and the House of Representatives members where they asked questions and spoke on behalf of their rural communities. The Youth Tour ended with them visiting the Holocaust Museum and participating in the wreath laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery.
