June 27th, 2017: Local Headlines

Here’s a look at today’s headlines:

The Round Fire on the Aldo Leopold Wilderness is 7,269 acres in size and 10% contained.  The fire is burning near the Diamond Creek Drainage.  Fire behavior is minimal due to over an inch of rainfall over the last 72 hours and plans are to transition to a smaller fire organization by the end of the week as weather and fuel conditions dictate.

The Corral Fire on the Gila Wilderness is estimated at 19,850 acres.  The fire received just under ½ inch of rain over the weekend and is showing low behavior.  The strategy of the fire is to reduce live woody fuels, reduce fuel loads on the ground, improve forest health and watershed conditions, and support the reintroduction of fire in the natural ecosystem.

The Straw Fire on the Gila Wilderness is estimated at 9,360 acres.  The fire is located about 2 miles east of the Gila Cliff Dwellings and is also being managed for multiple objectives including fuel reduction and maintaining the natural role of fire in the ecosystem.  All Gila National Forest offices and ranger stations will be closed on Tuesday, July 4^th in observance of Independence Day.  There are no fire restrictions at this time, but explosives and fireworks are always prohibited on National Forest System lands.

The Reserve Ranger District has 3 fires burning on National Forest System lands in Catron County.  The Teacher Fire remains at 3,555 acres, the Gravel Fire at 2,880 acres, and the Seven Fire at 1,189 acres.  There has been some moisture on the fires, but the district does not anticipate full suppression or containment until the monsoon season.

DeLanie Gatlin of Cliff FFA was recently awarded a National FFA $1,000 Built Ford Tough Scholarship.  The Scholarship is sponsored by Smith Ford of Lordsburg.  Gatlin plans to pursue a degree at New Mexico State University.  The scholarship is one of 1,888 awarded this year through the National FFA Organization scholarship program.