Here’s a look at some local news brought to you by Silver City Radio.

The Gila National Forest is reminding the public that the month of March brings the first signs of Spring that include warmer temperatures, strong winds, and the potential onset of wildfires, especially fueled by the current drought-stricken environment. New Mexico Forest are working with the Forest Stewards Guild, Fire Adapt NM, New Mexico Forestry Division, and the Bureau of Land Management New Mexico State Office to encourage New Mexicans to recognize that due to the changing climate, wildfire preparedness must be a year-round effort. According to a release, “in the last 15 years, wildfires have destroyed 89,210 structures, with 62% of total structures lost in 2017, 2018, and 2020 combined.” The Gila National Forest is working with partners to build a 2021 wildfire preparedness calendar and the share the message across multiple platforms, including social media, webinars, and community events. Individuals can log on to the wildfire preparedness webpage at facnm.org/wildfire-preparedness to follow the campaign throughout the year.

The New Mexico Department of Health has announced that New Mexicans 60 years and older with a severe chronic condition will be prioritized for COVID-19 vaccination appointments. Currently, four groups are eligible for the vaccine that include:

  • Phase 1A consisting of primary health care workers
  • New Mexicans 75 years and older
  • Educators, early childhood professionals, and school staff
  • New Mexicans with a chronic health condition

The new prioritization affects the “chronic health condition” group, which covers more than one quarter of the state’s population. The DOH will prioritize vaccine appointments for those who are 60 years and older with a health condition that places them at severe risk of COVID-related health complications.

A “Value of Water-Community Action Day” hosted by the Silver City Watershed Keepers and Gila Resources Information Project will be held on Saturday March 20th from 9:00 A.M. to 12 noon at Big Ditch Park and San Vicente Creek. Volunteers will meet at the Murray Ryan Visitors Center. This day of service will consist trash pick-up, water quality monitoring and more. For more information, go to silvercitywatershedkeepers.org.

This has been a look at some local news. Thank you for listening to Silver City Radio.