Catron County at 28.5%
Residents are urged to register for their vaccine by going to vaccinenm.org through the New Mexico Department of Health.
The Gila National Forest is urging visitors to heed the importance of campfire safety in the prevention of human-caused wildland fires. In a release issued by the forest service, “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.” It is urged that if individuals across an abandoned campfire, if possible, please drown, stir, drown, and place their hand close to the fire to make sure it’s cool. Then, call Silver City Interagency Dispatch Center at 1-800-538-1644 to report the location so the fire prevention staff can follow up.
Elk Fire near Reserve grows to 229 acres
SILVER CITY - The Elk Fire near Reserve has grown to an estimated 229 acres in the Gila National Forest. The cause of the fire is under investigation.
The wildfire started the morning of March 31 under unknown circumstances. It was previously reported that lightning was the cause, but that has been amended by the U.S. Forest Service.
The fire is burning about 30 miles east of Reserve in Catron County. Resources have been working on hot spotting and securing lines. They report that fire activity has been minimal there has been some interior smoke from stumps and heavy fuels burning.
Debbie Cress Named Santa Fe National Forest Supervisor
SFNF News:
SANTA FE Southwestern Region Regional Forester Michiko Martin has announced the selection of Debbie Cress to take the helm of the Santa Fe National Forest (SFNF) as its new Forest Supervisor.
Cress has been serving as deputy forest supervisor on the SFNF. In her new role, she will oversee the management, conservation and enhancement of 1.6 million forested acres across six counties in the Sangre de Cristo and Jemez Mountain ranges.
“Debbie has played an important leadership role on the Santa Fe National Forest since she joined the forest in January 2020,” Martin said. “Her nearly two decades’ of experience in land management, commitment to collaboration and partnerships, and familiarity with the forest will provide a seamless transition into her new role. ”
March 17, 2021
March 17, 2021
By AARON ROGERS
Daily Press Correspondent
A year without the usual Grant County events and celebrations has been hard on residents. From sporting events like the Tour of the Gila bicycle race and the Wild Wild West Pro Rodeo to festivals like the Blues Festival and Fiesta Latina to holiday parades, residents have had to either adjust to virtual versions or live with the disappointment of events being canceled altogether.
And that’s even without considering the economic impact of those cancellations for restaurants and other small businesses.
The ongoing efforts to vaccinate everyone, combined with the loosening restrictions that come from lower case numbers of COVID-19, are starting to raise hopes that some of these events might be making a return even as soon as the Independence Day parade this summer.