Here is an update on the Ridge, Lolo and Paramount Fires as of this morning, July 16th.
The Ridge Fire is now at 3,740 acres and is 20 percent contained. Fire activity is expected to decrease with incoming rain forecasted today and through the week. Firefighters are completing erosion prevention activities around the fire area, including seeding and installing water bars on constructed handlines and Forest Road 159 and are using chipping materials to add mulch to disturbed areas at the fire camp. Fire activity is still limited to smoldering and creeping, although it is expected to decrease further with the incoming rain. UAS will likely be used again today to provide more information about fire progression in the Iron Creek area where the federally protected Gila trout are located.
The Lolo Fire is holding at 438 acres and 60% contained on the east, south, and west sides with only pockets of interior heat remaining in those areas. The north/northwest perimeter is uncontained, with fire smoldering and backing off of the rim in inaccessible, rocky terrain where the greatest values at risk are the firefighters themselves and there are few containment features to be found. Crews will continue to monitor and report on fire behavior, while scouting for potential control features, making risk-based decisions about where and how to engage the fire.
The Paramount Fire is holding at 1,335 acres and all lines are secure. Isolated smoke columns are visible along New Mexico Highway 59 from the interior of the fire, where dead and down logs are being consumed. Local Gila National Forest resources are patrolling and mopping up heat as needed, with 15 resources currently assigned.
In Other News: The Town of Silver City will be having a Town Council Work Session this evening, July 16th and want to hear from community members regarding downtown issues. The session will be open to the public for comments, recommendations and solutions regarding any downtown issues that are of concern to the community. The session will take place at 6:00 p.m. at the Grant County Veterans Memorial Business and Conference Center. The community is encouraged to attend.
United Way of Southwest New Mexico recently celebrated the 2024/2025 Community Impact Fund recipients. Each year the group forms a committee of community members to choose from the applications they received from local area organizations. The organizations in Silver City that received funding included: Big Brother Big Sisters Mountain Region, Center for Health Innovation, El Refugio, Inc., Future Forge, Inc., Literacy Link-Leamos, Silver City Gospel Mission and The Commons-Center for Food Security and Sustainability.
