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Geoffrey Plant, reporter with the Silver City Daily Press and Independent updates us on the top stories they are following in the area.
Geoffrey Plant, reporter with the Silver City Daily Press and Independent updates us on the top stories they are following in the area. This week: Ranchers and irrigators in the area share thoughts on drought, a mining company speaks on mineral exploration in the Gila National Forest. Also, the Silver City Town Clerk retires.
April 16, 2021
(Press Staff Photo by Geoffrey Plant)
A view of Gold Gulch Road, near one of the mineral exploration drilling sites proposed by Tucson-based Bronco Creek Exploration near McKnight Peak, in the Burro Mountains on the Gila National Forest west of White Signal.
A mineral exploration project in the Burro Mountains south of Silver City is unlikely to result in actual mining anytime soon, according to Silver City District Ranger Beth Ihle and representatives of the company that’s proposing to look for copper, gold, silver, lead and zinc underneath the southern part of the Gila National Forest.
“We had a lot of folks who interpreted this exploration project as a mine permit, but that’s not even a twinkle in the company’s eye right now,” Ihle said. “That’s a whole separate proposal.”
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Gila National Forest moves to high fire danger alert
Headlight staff reports
SILVER CITY, N.M. – Warmer temperatures and high spring winds are increasing fire danger on the Gila National Forest.
A fire danger rating of HIGH is defined as “all fine dead fuels ignite readily, and fires start easily from most causes.” Unattended brush and campfires are likely to escape. Fires spread rapidly, and short-distance spotting is common. Fires may become serious and their control difficult unless they are attacked successfully while small. Outdoor burning should be restricted.
Fire managers consider several factors when elevating the fire danger level. Data from Remote Weather Stations (RAWS) located across the forest are aggregated together, producing the Energy Release Component (ERC). As live fuels cure and dead fuels dry, the ERC will increase and can be described as a build-up index.
Observe Red Flag warnings on windy days
Headlight staff reports
SILVER CITY, N.M. – The Gila National Forest wants to remind our visitors about the importance of campfire safety and your part in preventing human-caused wildland fires.
The dry winter and spring combined with strong winds has already brought wildfire season to the Gila National Forest. To date, the forest has seen several small wildfires, as well as the 220-acres Elk Fire.
The causes of these fires are under investigation. This past weekend, the Catwalk Recreation Area saw two small wildfires, which combined, equaled .75 acres and there was a .75-acre wildfire on the Quemado Road.