Second Evening of Bosque Fires in Albuquerque

Author-published | June 25, 2003 | Muleteam1

[Muleteam1]

For the second evening in a row, large wildfires are being fought along the Rio Grande in Albuquerque. This one broke out about 8:30 pm around the Montano Bridge and are threatening several areas. Evacuations are now occurring on the east and west sides of the River. Arson is suspected as was the fires last night.

Muleteam1

[Mad_Tom_Rackham]

Anyone seen setting fires should be executed by vigilantes, for the obvious reason.

[chance33_98]

Mayor: Bosque Fire Worst In 20 Years

Blaze Burned 701 Acres, Forced 600-700 Evacuations

POSTED: 8:43 p.m. MDT June 25, 2003

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. -- Firefighters now estimate Tuesday's Rio Grande bosque fire in Caused the evacuation of 600 to 700 people in Albuquerque. And as firefighters mopped up the blaze that burned 701 acres, arson investigators were searching for clues as to how it started.

Albuquerque Fire Chief Robert Ortega said investigators are pretty sure the fire was sparked by fireworks. And police officials said if they do catch the person or people responsible for starting the fire, the city has every intention of pursuing their punishment to the fullest extent of the law.

Meanwhile, the Middle Rio grandee Conservancy District has shut off access to the Rio Grande bosque in four New Mexico counties. In response to Tuesday's fire, the conservancy district closed the bosque in Bernalillo, Sandoval, Socorro and Valencia counties.

The closure does not apply to Indian land, but otherwise, no one is allowed into the area except for emergencies or official maintenance workers. The closure is in effect until further notice.

The trails on levees on either side of the Rio Grande are now also closed, even though they were allowed to remain open Wednesday morning. Smoking is also prohibited in the area except inside closed vehicles or buildings.

Both the fire chief and Mayor Martin Chavez called Tuesday's fire the worst blaze in the bosque in more than 20 years. Chavez flew over the burned area Wednesday in the KOAT Action News Sky 7 helicopter. He described the scene as heartbreaking, while at the same time commending the efforts of firefighters from all the mutual aid agencies.

Ortega said Albuquerque firefighters were ready to handle the bosque fire because they are unique among most urban firefighters. That's because the Fire Department trains its firefighters for wildland blazes as well as the typical structure fires.

Ortega said most of the nation's city departments don't do that extra training. The training was started in Albuquerque partly in response to a fire last year that burned 100 acres in the bosque.

[chance33_98]

from http://www.koat.com

[Muleteam1]

Thanks for the post, but this is another fire burning tonight. The article is about the fire we had last evening south of this one.

Muleteam1

[Muleteam1]

Anyone seen setting fires should be executed by vigilantes, for the obvious reason.

No argument from this family tonight. What we need here is another Billy the Kid...

Muleteam1

[patricia]

Which channel are you watching?
Channel 13 has footage that is freightening ... I cannot get a point to use as a reference ......... I live in Paradise Hills ...... I read your post last pm, stating you live in Taylor Ranch ...................... this is REALLY freightening!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Muleteam1]

Patricia,

The fires right now are each side of Montano Bridge so they are south of you some miles. I just heard on KOB AM radio that they just picked up three suspects for questioning. Maybe we can stop this nonsense soon. Lives, both human and wildlife, are taking a hard beating from these arsonists. Stay safe.

Muleteam1

[patricia]

Thanks for the reply.
I could tell the fires are north and south of Montano, just cannot decipher where the hotspots are ... and there sure are many areas that look really hot.
Prayers for flora, fauna and human ..................

[overlord]

I am at Candelaria and Rio Grande. Have had friends evacuate just north of here at Griegos and Rio Grande.

I would suggest the news media and certain public officials have been pretty loose with the "arsonist" allegation. Nothing confirmed at this point. The fire chief just said on the news that they suspect the fire was "man-made" but the arson investigator is just beginning to work on that.

I did get a call from Dede Feldman this morning checking in on how things went last night, and I saw Rick Meira at the Marriott last night when we were evacuated.

Wind change to northeast and east expected to redirect the fire that is still out of control.

[Muleteam1]

I agree regarding the many arsonist theories. Last night I first heard a theory about a homeless person having probably started the fire, then this morning it was about "fireworks." I am now hearing that the three "suspects" tonight were not suspects at all but were simply being questioned.

When something as disastrous as this occurs, and the cameras are rolling, expect to see as many personal and political agendas being played out as there are cameras and microphones. It's human nature.

Muleteam1

[NRA2BFree]

Channel 4 (KOB) has great coverage on the fires!!!

[ican'tbelieveit]

Good Morning. I hope all our ABQ freepers are well. Watching the KOB video, not good. I know we don't want to jump to the idea of arsonists, but this is a depressed economic time. I wouldn't be surprised if someone isn't bored and going out and setting these, again. Especially considering the attention received Tuesday night.

[TiaS]

Early this morning, Governor Richardson toured the area and in an interview on the CBS affiliate in Albuquerque, made several comments. One, he is sure this is the work of an arsonist(s) because the fires are all over the place; two, he criticized the federal government for being slow to send in help; and three, he said the state will come down heavy on the "crazy" person(s) who are responsible for setting the fires.

[TEXASPROUD]

New Mexico Ping!

[ican'tbelieveit]

I was reading on the KOB site, I think it was, that the helicopters couldn't fly last night because of the FAA ruling. So they had to wait until this morning to dump water. Ridiculous.

But Richardson is a fool. How fast does he want the fed government to take. It has only been 2 days, geez. Look how long it took last year for Colorado to get help with the Hayman fire that burned over 100,000 acres. That man will use any opportunity he can to discredit the Bush admin.

[Muleteam1]

>>I wouldn't be surprised if someone isn't bored and going out and setting these, again.<<

It is sad that, even in a beautiful city such as Albuquerque, there are those who are angry and disgruntled and seek to make everyone around them as miserable as themselves.

Muleteam1

[overlord]

It is not my intention to deny arson as a possibility, but I personally would rather wait until all the facts are known before I jump to conclusions. Acting first before all the facts are known can lead to actions by the government that are detrimental to the people they represent.

Bill Richardson's quote about arsonists should likewise be taken by a grain of salt. Sometimes folks in public office have their own reasons for saying what they do.

[patricia]

THANKS for the info ... went to channel 4 ... guess I caught it during a segment I felt more interesting on another channel ......... I flipped back and forth all evening/morning.

[patricia]

Someone had been 'doing' firworks on the PH golf course for about ten days before the first bosque fire.
I noticed this and thought I bad better call the authorities, but then it stopped the day before the first bosque fire.
Have NOT heard any fireworks since.