Wildfire - The Durango Herald

Federal investment in forests could spur jobs, reduce wildfires and clear the air, Bennet says

Senator promotes $60 billion Outdoor Restoration Partnership Act in tour around Colorado

DATE: Sep 3, 2021 | CATEGORY: Regional News

At LPEA and Empire Electric, wildfires are front and center

California blazes put a focus on utilities’ exposure to losses during blazes

DATE: Sep 3, 2021 | CATEGORY: Local News

Wildfire breaks out on BLM land southwest of Mancos

Mount Weber Fire has scorched 25 acres

DATE: Aug 30, 2021 | CATEGORY: Local News

10-acre fire at Durango’s doorstep cost an estimated $180,000

Local, state, federal agencies responded to Barnroof Fire

DATE: Aug 13, 2021 | CATEGORY: Local News

More hazy days forecast for Four Corners

Smoke from wildfires expected to linger through Wednesday morning

DATE: Aug 9, 2021 | CATEGORY: Local News

Why is it so hazy outside?

Smoke from western wildfires engulfs western Colorado

DATE: Aug 7, 2021 | CATEGORY: Local News

Crew deals with small fire near Perins Peak

Cause of blaze under investigation

DATE: Aug 4, 2021 | CATEGORY: Local News

2 small fires burning in Pagosa Ranger District

Both less than one-tenth of an acre and rain expected in area

DATE: Jul 26, 2021 | CATEGORY: Local News

Two small fires burn in east La Plata County

Blazes were sparked by lightning

DATE: Jul 24, 2021 | CATEGORY: Local News

Lightning sparks more than a dozen fires

All contained; largest was 62-acre East Toe fire near Towaoc

DATE: Jul 20, 2021 | CATEGORY: Local News

Western wildfires blamed for hazy skies; cooler temperatures forecast

Rain possible Wednesday through Friday

DATE: Jul 12, 2021 | CATEGORY: Local News

Boebert introduces bill to pay for logging, raise timber revenue

Legislation aims to keep timber profits in rural communities

DATE: Jul 10, 2021 | CATEGORY: Local News

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

Federal investment in forests could spur jobs, reduce wildfires and clear the air, Bennet says

At LPEA and Empire Electric, wildfires are front and center

Wildfire breaks out on BLM land southwest of Mancos

10-acre fire at Durango’s doorstep cost an estimated $180,000

More hazy days forecast for Four Corners

Why is it so hazy outside?

Crew deals with small fire near Perins Peak

2 small fires burning in Pagosa Ranger District

Two small fires burn in east La Plata County

Lightning sparks more than a dozen fires

Western wildfires blamed for hazy skies; cooler temperatures forecast

Boebert introduces bill to pay for logging, raise timber revenue

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