Here’s a look at today’s headlines:
Yesterday, firefighters were on scene of the Spur Fire on the Quemado Ranger District. The 18-acre fire is lightning-caused and located six miles northeast of Luna. Resources on the incident include an engine and a crew. They report a surface fire with flame lengths of less than one foot burning in ponderosa pine. In addition, there is a report of a fire on the Magdalena District of the Cibola National Forest that may be visible while traveling across the Gila.
The Sisters Fire was reported near Twin Sisters on the Silver City Ranger District of the Gila National Forest, roughly two miles northeast of Pinos Altos near the Continental Divide Trail. Fire spread has slowed on the Sisters Fire thanks to a coordinated response by firefighters, dispatchers, managers and aircraft kept the fire size to about 10 to 15 acres.
Construction has started on the Willow Creek fish barrier project on the Reserve Ranger District. The project is located just east of Forest Road 28/New Mexico State Road 159 and north of the Gila Wilderness boundary. The project is intended to contribute to the recovery of the federally-threatened Gila trout by constructing a permanent fish passage barrier along 10 miles of Willow Creek to eliminate upstream passage of non-native trout species.
Early on Sunday morning around 2:25 am, New Mexico State Police Officers responded to the scene of a pedestrian fatality near mile marker 82 on I-10 in Deming. The initial investigation revealed the 34 year-old female pedestrian was struck by an eastbound vehicle. The involved driver and vehicle have not been located, and the incident is still under investigation.
The New Mexico Department of Health is Promoting May as National Hepatitis Awareness Month, and urges those at risk to get tested for Hepatitis C. During 2014 in the United States, deaths associated with Hepatitis C reached an all-time high of 19,659 according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In New Mexico, there are between 30 and 45 thousand people living with chronic Hepatitis C Virus, or HCV, infection.
U.S. Senator Tom Udall announced that a bipartisan, bicameral group of congressional leaders have reached an agreement on reforming the Toxic Substances Control Act of 1976 (TSCA). The final legislation, titled the Frank R. Lautenberg Chemical Safety for the 21st Century Act, merges policy priorities from a bill Udall co-wrote, which passed the Senate on Dec. 17, 2015, and a related House bill, which passed on June 23, 2015.
An account has been opened on behalf of the Gomez family at Washington Federal using the last four digits – 0623. Funds will be used to support the family after the house burned down on Saturday morning on Shady Grove. One family member was severely burned. Any donations would be greatly appreciated.
