Osha Fire 75% Contained
by John Weckerle
Firefighters from the Mountainair Ranger District and the Type 1 Mount Taylor Hot Shot Crew, with support from a severity engine from the Caribou/Targhee in Idaho, appear to have successfully fought a fire that grew to only two acres this week. As of yesterday, May 8, the Osha fire, which started in very rugged terrain was 75% contained, and District fire official Arlene Perea anticipated that the fire would be completely contained by last night. While the cause of the fire is as yet undetermined, the District suspect that lightning is likely the culprit, as there were confirmed strikes in the area during last weekend’s storms. Mop-up efforts will continue throughout the weekend.
We’d like to take this opportunity to remind everyone that this has been a relatively dry year thus far, and that means that fire danger may increase as time moves on. The warm weather and winds seem likely to dry the area more over the next week, with no precipitation predicted until next Sunday in the vicinity of New Mexico Central headquarters. Please take extra care to avoid starting fires, and if you must smoke, let’s keep those cigarettes in the car, and the butts in the ashtrays. If you’re worried about smelling up the car, try some smokeless ashtrays:
- Smoke Outlet
- Talon Outlet
- Smoke Eliminator
- The Distinguished Self-Extinquisher
- Smokeless Car Ashtray
Avoid using open flame outdoors whereever possible, and keep a fire extinguisher handy while using outdoor tools such as chainsaws.