Wildfire - The Durango Herald

Experts call on federal government to mitigate drought, wildfires

Sen. Bennet says there’s a ‘five-alarm crisis for the American West’

DATE: Jun 7, 2022 | CATEGORY: Local News

Residents impacted by wildfires could get help with food

ALBUQUERQUE – Thousands of New Mexico residents who have been impacted by wildfires this spring may be eligible for temporary food assistance. The state Human Services Department said applic...

DATE: Jun 7, 2022 | CATEGORY: New Mexico

New law requires speedier post-wildfire homeowners insurance payouts

HB-1111 requires insurers to pay disaster victims at least 65% of their lost home’s covered contents within 30 days

DATE: Jun 6, 2022 | CATEGORY: Regional News

Can we replace fire with mechanical thinning in Southwest Colorado?

Forest ecologists argue prescribed burns are necessary even as they have caused blazes this spring

DATE: Jun 4, 2022 | CATEGORY: Local News

Bear Dance Fire sparks east of Ignacio; power cut to about 2,500 customers

Blaze torches about 20 acres of brush willow and cottonwood trees

DATE: Jun 3, 2022 | CATEGORY: Local News

Rep. Lauren Boebert criticizes Forest Service chief for pausing prescribed burns

Federal agency says decision will have minimal impact

DATE: May 31, 2022 | CATEGORY: Local News

Students displaced by fire hold prom at governor’s mansion

SANTA FE (AP) – The largest wildfire in New Mexico history wouldn’t stand in the way of a normal prom for Mora High School students. Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham saw to that. Students laughed...

DATE: May 28, 2022 | CATEGORY: New Mexico

Scientists protect their homes from wildfire smoke, poor air quality

Preventive measures can limit impacts on health

DATE: May 28, 2022 | CATEGORY: Southwest Life

Pre-evacuations lifted as firefighters control Durango’s Perins Peak Fire

County roads 206 and 208 are no longer under notice; crews secure northern edge of blaze

DATE: May 27, 2022 | CATEGORY: Local News

Firefighters gain upper hand on Perins Peak Fire, but weekend weather raises concern

‘The likelihood of it being a lightning-caused fire is slim to none,’ official says

DATE: May 25, 2022 | CATEGORY: Local News

Perins Peak Fire prompts pre-evacuation order; blaze estimated at 105 acres

Air resources diverted from Pagosa Springs

DATE: May 24, 2022 | CATEGORY: Local News

Photos: Perins Peak Fire starts west of Durango

DATE: May 24, 2022 | CATEGORY: Gallery

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Photos: People’s MarchAbout 300 people take to the street on Saturday in Durango

About 300 people take to the street on Saturday in Durango

Photos: Fort Lewis College basketballWomen’s and men’s basketball teams take on South Dakota Mines

Women’s and men’s basketball teams take on South Dakota Mines

Photos: Wrestling at Durango High SchoolDurango High School boys wrestling beat Bayfield High School Tuesday night

Durango High School boys wrestling beat Bayfield High School Tuesday night

Photos: Where there's smoke there's firefightersDurango firefighters take advantage of the old River City Hall building for training

Durango firefighters take advantage of the old River City Hall building for training

Photos: Durango plays Montezuma-Cortez in boys, girls high school basketballDurango girls and boys basketball teams defeat Montezuma-Cortez at DHS

Durango girls and boys basketball teams defeat Montezuma-Cortez at DHS

Year in photos: A look back at Southwest Colorado in 2024Each year brings some of the new and some of the old – breaking news and cherished traditions. It is the people, their emotions, different cultures and varied forms of entertainment that make for impactful images. Add to that Southwest Colorado’s gorgeous scenery, abundant wildlife and range of weather events, and you have the makings for stunning photos. We hope you enjoy Photo Editor Jerry McBride’s photos from 2024.

Each year brings some of the new and some of the old – breaking news and cherished traditions. It is...

Montezuma County DA Christian Hatfield charged with DWICharges come 16 weeks after crash near Farmington, New MexicoMontezuma County District Attorney Christian Hatfield was charged Friday with driving while under the influence of alcohol or drugs 16 weeks after he crashed his SUV on U.S. Highway 64 outside Bloomfield.The San Juan County Sheriff’s Office charged Hatfield, 59, with petty misdemeanor charge of DWI and an open container in connection to the Aug. 30 single-car crash.The charges come after results from a blood test by the New Mexico Department of Health Scientific Laboratory showed alcohol and a drug in Hatfield’s body after the crash.

“The results show that at the time of the blood draw, which was approximately eleven hours after the time of the crash due to medical issues, were 0.05 g/100 ml of Ethanol and 0.04 mg/L of Zolpidem (Ambien). Both Ethanol and Ambien are Central Nervous System Depressants,” the law enforcement report states.Two vials of blood were taken from Hatfield at 1:33 p.m. Aug. 30, which was more than 12 hours after the crash occurred about 1 a.m. Those vials were received by the New Mexico Department of Health Scientific Laboratory at 10:26 a.m. Oct. 11, which was six weeks after the crash, according to records from the lab.An investigation into the blood warrant by The Journal newspaper in Cortez, Colorado, showed that the blood sample sat in a refrigerator at the San Juan County Sheriff’s Office until Oct. 3, because paperwork to send it to the state laboratory was not processed.“I think it’s a non-prosecutable case because of all the errors made by law enforcement,” said Arlon Stoker, a high-profile defense attorney secured by Hatfield to fight the charges.

The charges made by the San Juan County Sheriff’s Office are “based on the observations made by law enforcement officers on scene and the presence of intoxicating drugs and liquors in Christian's blood,” according to the report that was given to The Journal by the New Mexico Foundation for Open Government.Amanda Lavin, legal director for NMFOG, assisted The Journal in accessing public records from the San Juan County Sheriff’s Office in Aztec. The records had been redacted, leaving out Hatfield’s name and information about the blood warrant filed in San Juan County Magistrate Court.Public records requests by The Journal and the Tri-City Record went unresolved for 14 weeks.The Journal requested body camera footage and lapel camera video on Sept. 3.The Tri-City Record requested any and all warrants, investigative reports and laboratory reports as well as photos, lapel cam videos and dash cam videos on Oct. 23.On Dec. 9, Lavin made the same requests.

The Journal received access to photos and videos in an email on Dec. 19, and Lavin, after making a legal argument for unredacted information, received the full report Dec. 19 and was advised that charges would be forthcoming.The report detailing the crash states that Hatfield was found “unresponsive and barely able to stand” about 1 a.m. Aug. 30 near the intersection of U.S. Highway 64 and County Road 5099.Investigators and medics noted a “pungent” odor of alcohol coming from Hatfield, and investigators found “an open 12-ounce can of Mexican Lager with residual liquid inside,” an “empty wine glass,” and a “bottle of Ambien prescribed to Christian,” according to the report.The affidavit for search warrant for blood submitted by sheriff’s deputy Avery Killifer states he had an “opinion that the defendant was driving under the influence of intoxicating liquor or a controlled substance.” The deputy “placed the defendant under arrest” at the time, but Hatfield was taken to San Juan Regional Medical Center, because of “extensive injuries.”A summons was issued for Hatfield, and an arraignment is set for 8:30 a.m. Jan. 8 in Aztec Magistrate Court.

Charges come 16 weeks after crash near Farmington, New Mexico

Photos: Wreaths Across America honors fallen veteransDurango residents on Saturday honor those who served their country

Durango residents on Saturday honor those who served their country

Photos: Skyhawks men’s and women’s basketball Fort Lewis College men’s and women’s basketball lost to Regis on Saturday

Fort Lewis College men’s and women’s basketball lost to Regis on Saturday

Demons defeat Bobcats 62-47 on Friday at DHS

Experts call on federal government to mitigate drought, wildfires

Residents impacted by wildfires could get help with food

New law requires speedier post-wildfire homeowners insurance payouts

Can we replace fire with mechanical thinning in Southwest Colorado?

Bear Dance Fire sparks east of Ignacio; power cut to about 2,500 customers

Rep. Lauren Boebert criticizes Forest Service chief for pausing prescribed burns

Students displaced by fire hold prom at governor’s mansion

Scientists protect their homes from wildfire smoke, poor air quality

Pre-evacuations lifted as firefighters control Durango’s Perins Peak Fire

Firefighters gain upper hand on Perins Peak Fire, but weekend weather raises concern

Perins Peak Fire prompts pre-evacuation order; blaze estimated at 105 acres

Photos: Perins Peak Fire starts west of Durango

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