Little Bear Fire (Capitan, Elida: tornadoes, live, parking)

[Boompa]

I'm trvelling east next week and normally use 70 from Alamagordo to Clovis. Is the fire interfering with traffic on 70?

[joqua]

Originally Posted by Boompa

I'm trvelling east next week and normally use 70 from Alamagordo to Clovis. Is the fire interfering with traffic on 70?

The highway was closed briefly yesterday (according to the news) while spot fires were being attended to east of Tularosa. Other than that, it shouldn't be a problem. The fires were in the brushy region near Round Mtn, if you know where that is.

[Boompa]

Originally Posted by joqua

The highway was closed briefly yesterday (according to the news) while spot fires were being attended to east of Tularosa. Other than that, it shouldn't be a problem. The fires were in the brushy region near Round Mtn, if you know where that is.

I'm not leaving until late in the week so hopefully it will be OK, Just like last year, it seems there are several fires I need to get past in order to get to the tornado and hailstorm zone.

Thanks

[GregW]

The NM Dept of Tourism prays that your statement does not get publicized.

Quote: “...there are several fires I need to get past in order to get to the tornado and hailstorm zone.”

Welcome to New Mexico. Please bring a fire extinguisher and a hard hat. Yiiks.

[rruff]

Originally Posted by joqua

The highway was closed briefly yesterday (according to the news) while spot fires were being attended to east of Tularosa.

I went through there ~8:30pm... very weird. Looked like someone had started fires in several spots along the highway, over a few miles. They all appeared to be out at that time.

[rruff]

Originally Posted by GregW

The guy on the Weather Channel said that the town of ALTO had been burned out. Are there any other communities in the way of this fire?

Parts of the north side of Alto were burned. Info and updates are here: InciWeb the Incident Information System: Little Bear Fire

[mortimer]

Originally Posted by joqua

It's SOOOO easy to criticize when you're not standing downwind
... There will be an accounting,

You are right about that.

In the interview, however, the FS guy pretty clearly said that they knew that there
was a local crew ready, but that they had to follow procedure and use the remote crew.

He couldn't explain why they were doing the equivalent APF using a unit from the
S Valley to fight a house fire next to a fire station in the NE heights. When the FF's
from the nearby station are hopping mad about it, it's not just armchair quarterbacking.

It wasn't his fault, of course. Had he dispatched the local crew he probably would
be facing disciplinary action or worse. For all I know, he might also be mad about it.

[Boompa]

Originally Posted by GregW

The NM Dept of Tourism prays that your statement does not get publicized.

Quote: “...there are several fires I need to get past in order to get to the tornado and hailstorm zone.”

Welcome to New Mexico. Please bring a fire extinguisher and a hard hat. Yiiks.

Actually the hailstorm and Tornado zone I was speaking of was Northern Texas and Oklahoma

[joqua]

Originally Posted by rruff

Parts of the north side of Alto were burned. Info and updates are here: InciWeb the Incident Information System: Little Bear Fire

According to the map you refer to NONE of Alto burned. See my rough outline (attached) of what constitutes the Alto area on published area maps. There is another small subdivision called Alto Alps on the west side of NM-48, behind the old TR's Market and the Alto P.O. - but it's outside the burn area also. Notice that the fire stopped at Airport road and just at the west and north edge of Sierra Vista.

Originally Posted by Boompa

Actually the hailstorm and Tornado zone I was speaking of was Northern Texas and Oklahoma

Actually there have been tornadoes sighted on the eastern plains of NM. There are frequent storm warnings for the plains this time of year and it's not an unusual occurrence to have a tornado warning. Hail can be a foot or more deep as people in one area around Portales/Clovis were subjected to last summer - it made national news.

[Boompa]

Originally Posted by joqua

According to the map you refer to NONE of Alto burned. See my rough outline (attached) of what constitutes the Alto area on published area maps. There is another small subdivision called Alto Alps on the west side of NM-48, behind the old TR's Market and the Alto P.O. - but it's outside the burn area also. Notice that the fire stopped at Airport road and just at the west and north edge of Sierra Vista.



Actually there have been tornadoes sighted on the eastern plains of NM. There are frequent storm warnings for the plains this time of year and it's not an unusual occurrence to have a tornado warning. Hail can be a foot or more deep as people in one area around Portales/Clovis were subjected to last summer - it made national news.

But there were hailsorms in Texas last week and Tornadoes all Spring. I am travelling NEXT WEEK.
I'm just worried about getting north on 70, NEXT WEEK
The map he posted was great, especially because it will be updated if things change.