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June 4, 2021
Exceptional drought brings early heat to 2021 wildfire season Written by Nickolas Seibel on June 4, 2021
(Photo Courtesy of the USFS)
A plane from the Silver City Aerial Fire Base’s arsenal drops 750 gallons during a recent practice run.
By STEPHEN DUMAS
Daily Press Correspondent
It’s summertime in southwest New Mexico, and that means backyard barbecues, trips to cool off in the river and outdoor markets that are starting to return to normal. It also most certainly means that it’s wildfire season, and there are already dangerous conditions in nearby forests that are a tinderbox waiting to ignite.
With state rainfall drastically down, humidity dropping into the single digits and daily temperatures rising, fires are already consuming wilderness and National Forest lands.
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GILA NATIONAL FOREST – Full perimeter containment was reached this week on the Doagy Fire burning in the Gila National Forest while the Johnson Fire grew over 7,000 additional acres since Tuesday.
The national forest released the final update for the Doagy Fire Thursday morning, barring any significant developments. The wildfire was ignited by lightning May 14 and is located northeast of Beaverhead Administrative Site in Catron County.
Size has maintained at 12,785 acres with crews reaching 100% perimeter containment. Pockets of unburned fuel within the perimeter will continue to smolder until the forest receives significant moisture. Smoke will also remain visible.
Crews will continue to monitor the fire and ensure community and environmental safety. There is a chance for showers and thunderstorms through Sunday with weather expected to generally be warm and breezy. Conditions will be warm and dry going into next week with low humidity.
By Cedar Attanasio Associated Press / Report For America
New Mexico bet big Tuesday that cash can persuade people to get vaccinated against the coronavirus, offering the largest single cash prize among the growing number of states staging lotteries to promote inoculations.
Vaccinated residents who register on New Mexico s Vax 2 the Max portal can win prizes from a pool totaling $10 million that includes a $5 million grand prize, Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham announced. Getting vaccinated is the right thing to do for yourself, for your family and for your state, Lujan Grisham said. I m excited to add a little fun to our nation-leading vaccination push.