New Mexico State Representative Luis Terrazas will be hosting a community wildfire preparedness meeting in coordination with local, state and federal partners in wildfire management and prevention tomorrow, July 9th at 6:00 p.m. at the Grant County Business and Conference Center. The purpose of the meeting is to have a conversation about wildfire threat, how the community can work together to reduce wildfire risk to the community, and resources that are available to help private landowners make their property resilient to wildfire. Representatives from Grant County Fire and Emergency Management, New Mexico Division of Forestry, Bureau of Land Management, Natural Resources Conservation Service, and Gila National Forest have been invited to participate. The public is encouraged to attend and bring your concerns and ideas for solutions.
Firefighters are working on suppressing three fires that have taken place, due to lightning, on the Gila National Forest, Quemado Ranger District and Wilderness Ranger District. The 100-acre Lolo Fire, which is located near the Escondido Mountain area, approximately 6 miles northeast of Quemado Lake, occurred on July 5th and ground and air resources are working to contain the fire by using roads and natural features, due to the fire being located in a inaccessible terrain making it dangerous for firefighters to work.
The Ridge Fire, which grew to 100 acres on July 7th, has moved to the southwest toward Iron Creek Mesa Trail and Willow Creek as it follows grass and dead and down timber in an old burn scar. Winds out of the northwest will tend to limit its growth toward values at risk in the Willow Creek area.
The Lost Fire, which is located on the top of a ridge north of Whitewater Creek and 2 miles southeast of Mogollon, has grown to 30 acres and is 15% contained as of July 6th. A helicopter is being used to help douse the fire with water and has been effective in slowing the fire’s progression. Due to each fire’s location and inaccessible terrain, a variety of tactics are being used to contain the fires including using hand lines to eliminate fuels along planned perimeters, protection of range infrastructure, hand ignitions and other suppression tactics as changing conditions are required to protect values at risk. For more information, visit The Gila National Forest’s website.
In Luna County News:
The City of Deming will be having a Town Hall Meeting tomorrow, July 9th at 5:30 p.m. at the Deming City Hall. The city will be discussing Camp Innoventure, Photography Camp and will be giving a presentation on the pavement maintenance plan. The City will also be hearing public comments and input regarding roads and streets that may need the city’s attention. Community members are encouraged to attend. For any question or concerns, contact the Deming City Hall.
