Situation Report: Chasing Smoke in the Lincoln National Forest

The last couple of days has been marked with a rise in the thunderstorm activity over the Sacramento Mountains. With this activity comes lightning. Coupled with the dry forest, it can be a recipe for a slowly simmering forest fire, waiting to burst into life when the right conditions present themselves. High Rolls Fire has responded to two incidents related to possible lightning strikes and smoke sightings within the National Forest areas.

The first occured in the afternoon hours on the 27th of May, and was initially dispatched as a possible structural fire in the boundaries of another adjoining fire district. The smoke proved difficult to located in the canyons of the Sacramentos, and in the end Cloudcroft, High Rolls, and James Canyon fire departments ended up being sent to search for the smoke. It was determined the source of the smoke was a lightning strike in the area of La Luz Canyon.

The second incident occured around midnight on May 28th. High Rolls Fire responded wildland apparatus to the area of Mile Marker 15 on Highway 82 for a report of smoke in Bailey Canyon from an unkown source. At first, a lightning strike was suspected, but it was later determined to be smoke caught in a weather inversion from a controlled burn. This burn was being conducted by Lincoln National Forest fire crews near NM Route 244.

Situation Report:: Lost Hiker in Fresnal Canyon

At 8:40 on May 7th, 2010, High Rolls Fire and EMS was dispatched to rescue a lost hiker located in Fresnal Canyon below the scenic overlook. The hiker was located and appeared uninjured. She was evaluated by EMS and all units later cleared the scene. The hiker stated they stayed in the canyon too long and darkness caused her party to lose their way and she ended up going back up a much rougher trail. It is good she was located early, as it could have made for a rough and dangerous night for the firefighters and the lost hiker.

Situation Report: Highway 82 Closed due to Snow.

High Rolls Fire was dispatched to close Highway 82 to Cloudcroft due to a late Winter snowstorm at 6:40 am. The Highway remained closed until the NM Highway Department snowplows could clear the road and travel was safe for motorists.

Situation Report: Car off cliff near Railroad Trestle on Hwy 82

At 7:40 AM, High Rolls Fire and EMS was dispatched for a motor vehicle accident rollover near the Railroad Trestle. Upon arrival, units found a vehicle which had left the roadway and fell a considerable distance down a cliff into Mexican Canyon near the Cloudcroft Sewage Treatment Plant. The driver sustained minor injuries and was transported via AMR ambulance to Gerald Champion Regional Medical Center. Traffic was tied up on Highway 82 for about an hour. Units from High Rolls, James Canyon, and Cloudcroft Fire Departments responded to this incident.

Situation Report: Power Lines Down and Arcing

This afternoon, High Rolls Fire was dispatched for a report of power lines down and arcing on Old Railroad Drive. Fire units stood by and secured the area for safety and to prevent accidental fires from the electrical arcing. The power was eventually secured. No injuries were reported. This incident was caused by the strong winds experienced on the mountain today.

Training Operations: Drafting

Today the crew trained on setting up and operating a portable draft tank. These tanks are used in conjunction with our Water Tenders to supply water to a pumper truck in areas where there are no fire hydrants. Our Largest Water Tender, #621 carries 3500 gallons, and is set up for one person operations. Everything can be operated within the cab, and video cameras provide visibility for the driver. These photos show the crew setting up for the drafting operation utilizing Tender #621, and it's smaller cousin, Tender #622.

More Pictures from the 50th Anniversary Activities...

High Rolls FD conducted a few demos to show the public the kinds of activities we are called upon to perform. These demos included a pump and roll wildland fire demo, fire extinguishers, drafting and resupply, and simulated vehicle extrication operations.

Here are a few images...

The High Rolls Fire Demo Team; Left to Right: Paul McCarty, Chris Ryan, Chad Poindexter, Clint Oppell, Steve Mclheney, Mike Jones.