Wildfire - The Durango Herald

Colorado representative, senators want $60B to reduce fire risk, restore Western land

The Protect the West Act is sponsored by Sens. Bennet and Hickenlooper and Rep. Jason Crow

DATE: Mar 1, 2023 | CATEGORY: Regional News

Dog-attacking mountain lion in Nederland was healthy, hadn’t recently fed on dogs

The lion had gunshot wounds on its head and chest after a man killed it as it attacked his dog, officials say

DATE: Feb 16, 2023 | CATEGORY: Regional News

Drought, plague and fire: What the Rio Grande National Forest is up against

There’s no certainty swaths of beetle-bitten trees will recover over burn scars

DATE: Feb 1, 2023 | CATEGORY: Regional News

Colorado lawmakers look to AI to detect wildfires earlier

Proposal would create a $2 million pilot program to station cameras on mountaintops in high-risk locations

DATE: Jan 26, 2023 | CATEGORY: Regional News

Recovering from wildfire, New Mexico bill passes first test

Measure would clear the way for zero-interest loans

DATE: Jan 24, 2023 | CATEGORY: New Mexico

Colorado inmate fire crew slashes brush in La Plata County

State grant means crew will conduct mitigation along 83 miles of area roads

DATE: Jan 23, 2023 | CATEGORY: Local News

FEMA hints it might lift 25% cap on tree reimbursements for northern NM fire victims

Officials still finalizing rules, mulling changes to claims procedures

DATE: Dec 19, 2022 | CATEGORY: New Mexico

Infrastructure money arrives in Colorado via U.S. Forest Service

Funds to be used for fire mitigation and watershed restoration

DATE: Nov 18, 2022 | CATEGORY: Local News

Columbine Ranger District invites comment on proposed ecological and recreation project

Plans would involve work on a 7,100-acre area just north of Durango

DATE: Oct 12, 2022 | CATEGORY: Local News

Goats chew through fire danger northeast of Durango

Herd is clearing 13 acres near Pioneer Trail

DATE: Sep 16, 2022 | CATEGORY: Local News

Photos: Forest Service works to control small fire northwest of Durango

DATE: Sep 9, 2022 | CATEGORY: Local News

Money available for wildfire mitigation in La Plata County

Property owners eligible to receive up to 50% reimbursement

DATE: Sep 8, 2022 | CATEGORY: Local News

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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