Cobre introduces new principals, cabinet, and directors
- Category: Front Page News Front Page News
- Published: 26 July 2023 26 July 2023
By Lynn Janes
The Cobre Consolidated Schools held a board meeting at on July 10, 2023. Gabriella Begay called the meeting to order. Other board members in attendance included, Gilbert Guadiana, and David Terrazas. Superintendent Dr. Jeff Spaletta also attended. Elizabeth Dean and Serena Murillo didn't attend.
Reading of the board norms took place with each board member reading a norm. The norms consist of five rules the board strives to adhere to during the meeting. They are listed as actively listen to all perspectives, respond to concerns and questions as a unified board, professionalism expected, assume positive intent, and be positive and responsive.
The Pledge of Allegiance and salute to the New Mexico flag took place.
Public input on agenda items none currently.
Crews continue to work on fires across the Gila National Forest
- Category: Front Page News Front Page News
- Published: 26 July 2023 26 July 2023
SILVER CITY, NM, July 26, 2023 – Crews continue to work on numerous wildfires across the forest sparked by lightning over the past week. Each fire receives a risk-based assessment to determine the strategy for the incident. Personnel are being assigned to these fires based on that assessment. The following are the known active fires on the Forest:
Reserve Ranger District:
The Pasture Fire ignited July 23 east of the South Fork Negrito Creek and has grown to 2,416 acres and 0% contained with 74 personnel assigned. Fire behavior has been moderate with single trees torching. Due to the Pasture Fire's difficult terrain and access, it is being managed with a confine and contain strategy. Crews are preparing Forest Roads 161, 4044R, and 141, and creating dozer lines to be used as containment features to the north, east, and south of the fire's location.
Fire crews suppressing Noonday Fire on Gila National Forest
- Category: Front Page News Front Page News
- Published: 26 July 2023 26 July 2023
Located on Wilderness Ranger District
MIMBRES, NM, July 26, 2023 – Fire managers on the Wilderness Ranger District of the Gila National Forest are working a new lightning-caused fire called the Noonday Fire. The fire was reported in the evening July 22 very near the boundary between the Silver City and Wilderness Ranger District. It is approximately 366 acres and 0% contained.
The fire is situated within the 2013 Silver Fire area, on difficult terrain. Due to the location and terrain, the strategy will be to confine the fire to a pre-determined area and provide protection around structures and range infrastructure.
Corrected: Turkey Fire photo
- Category: Front Page News Front Page News
- Published: 25 July 2023 25 July 2023
[Editor's Note: The Beat has received a correction from another area resident that this photo is of the Turkey Fire as seen from Hooker Loop in Gila.]
Photo Courtesy of Peter Riva
Heading toward Bear Creek
Bayard Mayor appoints Eloy Gonzalez to council
- Category: Front Page News Front Page News
- Published: 25 July 2023 25 July 2023
By Lynn Janes
The town of Bayard held a work session July 10, 2023. Attendance included Mayor Chon Fierro, Mayor Pro Tem Raul Villanueva, councilors Eloy Medina, Frances Gonzales, and Jose Diaz. The work session allows the council time to ask questions about items on the agenda and discuss them.
A resident in attendance wanted to know why librarian Sonya Dixon's comments had not been reflected on the minutes from the last meeting. She had stated she had concerns about the budget. Several of the council members explained that the minutes do not reflect word for word the meeting.
Aerial seeding to begin soon to assist with Black Fire recovery
- Category: Front Page News Front Page News
- Published: 25 July 2023 25 July 2023
Bat Conservation International to assist through Challenge Cost Share Agreement
SILVER CITY, NM, July 25, 2023 – The Gila National Forest is partnering with Bat Conservation International to implement habitat recovery and restoration projects across the Gila National Forest. To that end, aerial seeding is set to begin later this week within part of the area burned during last year's Black Fire.
"We have an enormous amount of work to accomplish, in terms of recovering from the Black Fire, along with implementing projects that reduce risk of future catastrophic wildfire to communities and critical infrastructure, and restoring forest and watershed structure," said Gila National Forest Supervisor Camille Howes. "We also have enormous challenges in attracting, hiring, and retaining our federal workforce. We hope to increase the pace and scale at which we complete these restoration efforts and increase our working capacity by partnering with non-profit organizations like Bat Conservation International."