Hidalgo Medical Services (HMS) has been awarded the Health Resources Services Administration (HRSA) 330 Grant, for an extra three years of funding. This grant is part of the Health Center Program, which supports non profit organizations that provide healthcare services to medically underserved populations by ensuring ongoing access to high-quality medical care for communities served by the Health Center Program. This funding will enable HMS to serve thousands of patients by providing the residents of Hidalgo and Grant County quality healthcare services.
The Ridge Fire, which is located 19 miles east of Glenwood, is at 4,123 acres and 23 percent containment as of this morning, July 17th. Fire activity has generally cooled with the precipitation received on the north end of the fire area. Some increased fire activity was observed in Iron Creek on the southeast side as the fire slowly moved downslope into the drainage. Heavier rainfall later this week is expected to further dampen the intensity and spread of the fire. Yesterday, local Resource Advisors received seeds to scatter across those areas disturbed by fire operations, such as supply drop points and camps to help prevent future erosion. As work is completed, operational resources are being released to support other wildfires across the region. A Burned Area Emergency Response Team has been ordered to assess and strategize restoration and stabilization efforts for burned areas. Also, due to the Ridge Fire, The Gila National Forest, Wilderness Ranger District, has implemented a temporary closure of four trails in the Gila Wilderness that are in the immediate vicinity of the Ridge Fire. The trail closures includes all of #141 Cooper Canyon Trail, #151 West Fork Trail, #157 Middle Fork Trail and #171 Iron Creek Mesa Trail.
Luna County JJCS/ADC in collaboration with the National Guard Counterdrug Joint Task Force will be having a presentation on the effects of Vaping and Fentanyl tomorrow, July 18th at 5:00 p.m. at the Luna County Train Depot. The presentation will be an important opportunity to educate and bring awareness to community members about the long term effects of vaping and fentanyl. The community is encouraged to attend.
In Other News:
Interested in being a Master Angler? The New Mexico Department of Game and Fish has created The New Mexico Master Angler Award Program to help challenge anglers to catch one or all of the 26 fish species that are outlined in the official rules of the program. To be eligible for the program, fish must be taken legally in New Mexico waters that are open to the public without fishing charges or fees. For more information on how to participate, visit website.
