Latest news with #CivilianConservationCorps
The Guardian
27-05-2025
- Climate
- The Guardian
Wildfire damages historic Fort Stanton, forces evacuations in New Mexico
A wildfire swept through portions of a civil war-era fort and historical site in southern New Mexico on Monday, forcing the evacuations of campgrounds and a horse ranch. The fire damaged structures at Fort Stanton historical site built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s and a gym erected by Germans interned at the site during World War II after their ship sank. Ground crews, air tankers and helicopters joined efforts to contain a blaze that scorched more than a square mile (3 square kilometers) of terrain at the site and surrounding conservation lands managed by the federal Bureau of Land Management (BLM). Laura Rabon, a spokesperson for a multiagency team responding to the situation, said crews cleared lines of vegetation Monday on the north side of the wildfire and helicopters doused smoldering hot spots with water. The fire was contained along 4% of its boundary. The blaze at Fort Stanton is about 15 miles (24km) away from communities at Ruidoso that were ravaged by wildfires last year when several hundred homes and businesses were destroyed. Those fires were followed by devastating flooding and erosion in scorched areas. Separately in Arizona, more than 500 firefighters and support personnel had largely contained the boundaries of a wildfire northeast of Tucson, in the Santa Catalina mountains, that has destroyed five homes in the community of Oracle. Evacuations were rescinded in some residential areas – but not all – on Monday. Fire activity at Fort Stanton decreased amid mild high temperatures Monday of 75F (24C) and 10 mph (16 kph) winds. The source of the fire was unknown, with a BLM investigator scheduled to begin work on Tuesday. Horses and a family of four were first evacuated on Sunday from a private ranch in the vicinity, but they had been allowed to return. On Sunday, air tankers dropped fire retardant on the outskirts of the fire in efforts to slow its progress. Highway 220 was closed near Fort Stanton to ensure access for firefighting crews, as more than 70 people fought the fire. Fort Stanton historical site was closed, and three nearby camping areas were evacuated.
Nahar Net
27-05-2025
- Climate
- Nahar Net
Wildfire damages Civil War-area historical site in New Mexico
by Naharnet Newsdesk 27 May 2025, 15:01 A wildfire swept through portions of a Civil War-era fort and historical site in southern New Mexico, forcing the evacuations of campgrounds and a horse ranch, authorities said Monday. The fire damaged structures at Fort Stanton Historical Site built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s and a gym erected by Germans interned at the site during World War II after their ship sank. Ground crews, air tankers and helicopters joined efforts to contain a blaze that scorched more than a square mile (3 square kilometers) of terrain at the site and surrounding conservation lands managed by the federal Bureau of Land Management. Laura Rabon, a spokesperson for a multiagency team responding to the situation, said crews cleared lines of vegetation Monday on the north side of the wildfire and helicopters doused smoldering hot spots with water. The fire was contained along 4% of its boundary. The blaze at Fort Stanton is about 15 miles (24 kilometers) away from communities at Ruidoso that were ravaged by wildfires last year when several hundred homes and businesses were destroyed. Those fires were followed by devastating flooding and erosion in scorched areas. Separately in Arizona, more than 500 firefighters and support personnel had largely contained the boundaries of a wildfire northeast of Tuscon, in the Santa Catalina Mountains, that has destroyed five homes in the community of Oracle. Evacuations were rescinded in some residential areas — but not all — on Monday. Fire activity at Fort Stanton decreased amid mild high temperatures Monday of 75 degrees (24 Celsius) and 10 mph (16 kph) winds. The source of the fire was unknown, with a BLM investigator scheduled to begin work Tuesday. Horses and a family of four were first evacuated Sunday from a private ranch in the vicinity, but they had been allowed to return. On Sunday, air tankers dropped fire retardant on the outskirts of the fire in efforts to slow its progress. Highway 220 was closed near Fort Stanton to ensure access for firefighting crews, as more than 70 people fought the fire. Fort Stanton Historical Site was closed and three nearby camping areas were evacuated.
27-05-2025
- Climate
Wildfire damages Civil War-area historical site in New Mexico as campgrounds are evacuated
SANTA FE, N.M. -- A wildfire swept through portions of a Civil War-era fort and historical site in southern New Mexico, forcing the evacuations of campgrounds and a horse ranch, authorities said Monday. The fire damaged structures at Fort Stanton Historical Site built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s and a gym erected by Germans interned at the site during World War II after their ship sank. Ground crews, air tankers and helicopters joined efforts to contain a blaze that scorched more than a square mile (3 square kilometers) of terrain at the site and surrounding conservation lands managed by the federal Bureau of Land Management. Laura Rabon, a spokesperson for a multiagency team responding to the situation, said crews cleared lines of vegetation Monday on the north side of the wildfire and helicopters doused smoldering hot spots with water. The fire was contained along 4% of its boundary. The blaze at Fort Stanton is about 15 miles (24 kilometers) away from communities at Ruidoso that were ravaged by wildfires last year when several hundred homes and businesses were destroyed. Those fires were followed by devastating flooding and erosion in scorched areas. Separately in Arizona, more than 500 firefighters and support personnel had largely contained the boundaries of a wildfire northeast of Tuscon, in the Santa Catalina Mountains, that has destroyed five homes in the community of Oracle. Evacuations were rescinded in some residential areas — but not all — on Monday. Fire activity at Fort Stanton decreased amid mild high temperatures Monday of 75 degrees (24 Celsius) and 10 mph (16 kph) winds. The source of the fire was unknown, with a BLM investigator scheduled to begin work Tuesday. Horses and a family of four were first evacuated Sunday from a private ranch in the vicinity, but they had been allowed to return. On Sunday, air tankers dropped fire retardant on the outskirts of the fire in efforts to slow its progress. Highway 220 was closed near Fort Stanton to ensure access for firefighting crews, as more than 70 people fought the fire. Fort Stanton Historical Site was closed and three nearby camping areas were evacuated.
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Camp Fire now at 720 acres, 4% contained
EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) – A brush fire burning near Fort Stanton in Lincoln County is now at 720 acres with 4 percent containment, the New Mexico State Forestry Division announced on Monday, May 26. Crews drop over 30K gallons of fire retardant on Camp Fire The fire ignited on Sunday, May 25, but the cause has not been determined. Fort Stanton is about 30 miles northeast of Ruidoso. Camp Fire burning in Lincoln County near Fort Stanton The Forestry Division said most of the burned acres occurred on Sunday, as there was minimal fire spread on Monday. Helicopters made targeted water drops on hot spots still smoldering. Fire crews worked to remove burning material near the control lines to reduce the chance of it escaping the control lines and reigniting. Smoke could still be seen in the area, the Forestry Division said. The Forestry Division said the area affected by the fire is a specially managed area by the BLM and the State of New Mexico. The BLM-managed land is part of the Fort Stanton- Snowy River Cave National Conservation Area, and the state land involved in the fire is the historic fort, managed by the New Mexico Department of Cultural Affairs. Three historical structures were damaged at Fort Stanton, including two wooden structures from the 1930s built by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) and a gymnasium built in 1944 by German sailors who were picked up after their ship sunk, the Forestry Division said. The Forestry Division said cloud cover, moderate temperatures, and milder winds helped to moderate fire behavior on Monday. A thunderstorm warning is in effect for the area Monday evening, and there is a chance of rain again on Tuesday afternoon, May 27, the Forestry Division said. The Forestry Division said evacuations remain for the Fort Stanton, Rob Jaggers Campground, and the Rio Bonito and West Mesa Road dispersed camping areas. Fort Stanton is closed to the public. Highway 220 is closed in the Fort Stanton area, the Forestry Division said. 'BLM Roswell District, Lincoln County and the NM Forestry Division are all under fire restrictions or a burn ban. Campfires of any kind (wood, charcoal, wood stoves), chainsaw use, smoking outdoors, operating motorized vehicles off designated roads and welding are all prohibited,' read the news release by the Forestry Division. To view full fire restrictions, click here. Additionally, an interactive smoke map here allows you to zoom into your area to see the latest smoke conditions. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
San Francisco Chronicle
24-05-2025
- General
- San Francisco Chronicle
Fatal crash damages historic California national park building linked to famous song
A truck driver died after crashing into the historic building where the Johnny Cash hit 'Ghost Riders in the Sky' was composed. A semitruck hit the former ranger station at Emigrant Junction in Death Valley National Park on Tuesday, a news release from the National Park Service said this week. The collision on California Highway 190 is believed to have occurred due to a brake malfunction, with no other vehicles involved. The Civilian Conservation Corps built the ranger station in the 1930s. Singer-songwriter Stan Jones wrote 'Ghost Riders' in the late 1940s during his time as a ranger, and Cash's 1979 version became the best known recording of the song. Hundreds of other performers have also recorded the song, including Burl Ives, Bing Crosby, Peggy Lee and the Outlaws. The truck struck the building's porch, destroying two stone columns and damaging the roof and windows. The building is not currently in use but has been maintained due to its historical value. The truck was destroyed in the collision and spilled dry sodium and diesel onto the road. Park service staff responded to the scene, along with the California Highway Patrol, Caltrans and the Inyo County Coroner. The section of Highway 190 between Stovepipe Wells and Towne Pass remained closed for 22 hours after a hazardous materials crew cleaned the area. Brake overheating can be a problem for semitrucks and other heavy vehicles that run through the stretch of Highway 190, where long, steep grades are common on both sides of Towne Pass. A contractor truck burned after descending from Towne Pass on April 9, and several commercial trucks caught fire in the area in 2024, the park service said.
