REVISED Apr 24, 2006 12:50 ET
Fires and Local Events Keep New Mexico Hams Busy
April 21, 2006 -- With a dry spring underway, fire
season is in full swing in New Mexico, and Amateur Radio operators have been on
the front lines. What started out as a
small 150 acre fire near Mora on April 12, roared into a 10,000 acre blaze
overnight. ARES personnel in Santa Fe, Taos, Los Alamos and Sandoval Counties
were place on alert in the afternoon of April 13. Mora County was in danger, as
well, but does not have an ARES support group.
Winds were gusting
to more than 35 miles per hour and the humidity hovering under 10%. The fire
spread rapidly and evacuations were ordered for Ojo Feliz, Los Hueros, Ocate
and numerous ranches in northern New Mexico for what is now called the Ojo
Feliz Fire. Investigators believe the fire was human-caused.
 Gary Surad, K5BIQ, center, operates ARES Net Control from
the New Mexico State Police Mobile Command Center at the Fire Base Camp in
Rainsville. Also pictured: David Clark, KJ5KG, left, and NMSP Sgt Craig Martin.
(photo by Jay Miller, WA5WHN) |
Once Gov Bill Richardson signed an Emergency Declaration Order for the
affected area, local hams jumped into action. Mike Scales, K5SCA, Gary Surad,
K5BIQ, Andrew Parker, KC5ZYF, and Jay Miller, WA5WHN, all from the Sandoval
County ARES, along with Don Scott, N5UJT, from the Bernalillo County ARES, went
to assist Mora County Rd Cross shelters and the New Mexico State Police Mobile
Command Center. All traffic was handled via voice through the 147.30 MHz Elk
Mountain Repeater, allowing direct communications with Santa Fe and Rio Rancho,
or VHF simplex.
By noon on Friday,
April 14, the shelters had closed and Amateur Radio operations were suspended,
but once again, ARES groups were placed on alert for yet another fire that
began near Vaughn, New Mexico (Guadalupe County). Fortunately, fire crews were
able to jump on that fire and get it under control quickly.
In addition to the
fire, ARES groups from Taos and Los Alamos assisted with safety communications
for the annual Pilgrimage to Chimayo. Starting in the darkness before Good
Friday (April 14), pilgrims line the highways north of Santa Fe carrying
crosses and glow sticks. By Easter Sunday, 65,000 worshipers pass through the
doors of El Santuario de Chimayo, a little chapel built
almost 200 years ago on a site that is sacred to many Pueblo Indians and
descendants of Spanish settlers. Many walked more than 100 miles on the
pilgrimage carrying crosses and other religious items. ARES volunteers
monitored the pilgrims along the journey
that traditionally follows US highway 84/285. Due to construction, the
pedestrians had to be detoured through Village of Tesuque.
Grants County
Amateur Radio operators were involved in a Search and Rescue mission on April
14, and Sandoval County ARES was involved the week before in a Hazmat spill in
Cuba, New Mexico. -- Charlie Christmann, K5CEC, ARRL PIO, New Mexico
Section
Page last modified: 12:53 PM, 24 Apr 2006 ET
Page author: awextra@arrl.org
Copyright © 2006, American Radio Relay League, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
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