From the Pecos Valley Newsroom

The Dog Fire at Guadalupe Mountains National Park is now in monitor status and all fire support resources have been released. Affected areas will continue to be monitored until no hot spots remain, at which time the fire will be declared out. No smoke and fire activity have been observed, so there are minimal chances for fire growth. The fire has been placed in a continued monitor status. The fire is estimated to have affected 1,959 acres in the park and was likely started due to lightning on May 11, 2021. Updates on the Dog Fire have been posted to inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7492/ .

All park trails and backcountry campsites will reopen Friday, June 11, 2021 at 8:00 AM. The Pine Springs and Dog Canyon campgrounds remain open. Campgrounds, backcountry camping and parking remain on a first-come, first-served basis. Plan to arrive early, remain flexible with your itinerary, anticipate crowds and check our NPS website for additional vacation tips on how to Plan Your Vacation Like a Park Ranger (U.S. National Park Service) (nps.gov) .

Many birds benefit from the habitat and natural resources at the J. Kenneth Smith Bird Sanctuary and Nature Center in west Roswell. At the same time, many citizens and visitors to the city enjoy watching the birds and strolling through the sanctuary at 401 N. Sycamore Ave.

Something that should not be done at this location, however, is fishing in the ponds. Fishing is prohibited in order to protect the water resources that are important to the birds and other wildlife. Fishing in the ponds, which are not very deep, can result in damage (tearing and punctures) to the liner of the ponds. Such damage would hinder the ponds’ ability to retain the water.

The City of Roswell Parks and Recreation Department asks everyone to adhere to the no-
fishing rule at the bird sanctuary so the ponds can be properly maintained for the benefit of

the birds and other wildlife and people can continue to enjoy this nature-focused site.

As the public enjoys the Bert Murphy Family Splash Pad at Poe Corn Park, people are reminded the emergency shut-off button is indeed for emergencies only.

People have been pressing the button multiple times a day for non-emergencies. When this happens, a recreation staff member must go to the splash pad to turn the water back on and reset the emergency button. Staff members are not always immediately available to respond to the site every time the emergency button is misused, leaving the splash pad inoperable for some time.

The City of Roswell Parks and Recreation Department asks the public to use the emergency shut-off button only when truly necessary for emergency safety purposes. At all other times, please leave the button alone so everyone can enjoy cooling off at the splash pad.

New Mexico is several months into an investigation to determine the extent of contamination at two U.S. Air Force bases, and state officials said Friday that the work is on track to be completed by summer 2022.

Environment Secretary James Kenney said his department has reviewed data, drafted analysis and sampling plans, and visited areas around Cannon and Holloman air bases. Once the study is done, the department will evaluate the next steps based on the risk to public health, available funding and any actions taken by the federal government at that point.

The state sued in 2019, saying the federal government has a responsibility to clean up plumes of toxic chemicals left behind by past military firefighting activities.

The 9/11 Never Forget mobile exhibit will be in Artesia from June 11th through 14th. On Thursday, the exhibit will receive a full excort from Roswell to Artesia at 1pm. The escort will be provided by various county volunteer firefighters and law enforcement. Viewing of the exhbit is free and will be available between the hours of 10am and 4pm each day. For more information on the exhibit, you can call the Artesia Fire Department at 575-746-5057 or the ARtesia Chamber of Commerce.

New summer hours for the Roswell Recreation and Aquatic Center. The indoor pool is open weekdays for lap swimming from 6-to-9am, 10:30 to oon, and 5-to-7pm. ALso Saturdays from 10 to noon. The outdoor pool is open seven days a week from noon to 6pm. Pool programs include water aerobics on weekdays at 8am, and also on Mondays, Wednesday and Fridays at 5:30 p.m. Water pilates is offered on Fridays at 9am. The Rec Center is open weekdays 6am to 8pm, Saturdays from 10am to 8pm, and Sundays from noon to 8pm.

The Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument will close this weekend while crews continue efforts to contain a wildfire in the Gila National Forest.

The National Park Service said Thursday that the Cliff Dwellings will shut down beginning at 8 a.m. Saturday and until further notice.

The lightning-caused blaze, which was first reported May 20, has burned roughly 60 square miles (155 square kilometers).

Firefighters will conduct burn-out operations west of the Cliff Dwellings on the so-called Johnson Fire. The hope is to reinforce fire lines and keep the blaze from getting to the Cliff Dwellings or the community of Gila Hot Springs.

The Eddy County Sheriffs Office is congratulating Deputy Ryan Kinnikan and and Deputy Josh Herrera for their graduation from the Southeastern Law Enforcement Academy. Deputy Kinnikan graduated with the academic award. He also broke the long standing record for most continuous sit-ups at 310 continuous. Deputy Herrera was pinned by his little brother Sam Fodge. Kinnikan was pinned by yours truly Sgt Amy Dugas of the Eddy County Sheriffs Office.

Following the recent severe thunderstorms, the City of Roswell is continuing to deal with a large amount of water flooding streets and other areas in south Roswell. The Roswell/Chaves County emergency manager was part of an aerial review of the area west of the Roswell Air Center Tuesday afternoon (June 1).

The source of the water flowing into south Roswell is a breach in a flood-control diversion structure – similar to a levee – about 1.25 miles west of the city. The city is working with Chaves County and the Chaves County Flood Commission (an independent public entity that maintains the diversion structure), as well as the State of New Mexico, to try to stop or control the flow of this water.

Several city streets remain closed to through traffic or all traffic Wednesday (June 2) in the area impacted by the flooding. Motorists are discouraged from driving through flooded streets and are urged to seek alternate routes.

During the recent storms, the Roswell Municipal Landfill experienced some higher-than-normal road erosion that has impacted operations. As a result, the landfill will be closed until further notice. The landfill staff is working to address the road conditions so the landfill can reopen as soon as possible. Trash collection throughout the city will continue this week on the holiday schedule following Memorial Day.

Please note, due to the existing landfill conditions, which could be further impacted by additional rain forecast this week, Solid Waste Department collection services may occur
slower than usual. The public’s patience is appreciated.
To check the status of the landfill, call (575) 624-6746.