Wildfire - The Durango Herald

Firefighters reach full containment on Twin Buttes Fire; blaze measured at 4 acres

About 30 people remain on scene ‘fortifying’ lines

DATE: Jul 20, 2022 | CATEGORY: Local News

Firefighters respond to ‘creeping’ wildfire west of Durango

Blaze scorched about 2 acres of oak brush east of Twin Buttes subdivision

DATE: Jul 19, 2022 | CATEGORY: Local News

Copter crashes, kills 4 during severe New Mexico fire season

Crew was returning from firefighting mission

DATE: Jul 18, 2022 | CATEGORY: New Mexico

Colorado Gov. Polis meets with Rico fire officials about wildfire preparedness

Governor views plans for new fire station, hears about challenges of volunteer fire districts

DATE: Jul 12, 2022 | CATEGORY: Local News

Firefighters say 10-acre Cox Canyon Fire likely started from week-old lightning strike

Blaze discovered Thursday south of Durango on tribal lands

DATE: Jul 10, 2022 | CATEGORY: Local News

Ten-acre Cox Canyon Fire breaks out on Southern Ute tribal land

Multiple agencies respond to battle blaze

DATE: Jul 9, 2022 | CATEGORY: Local News

Lightning triggers wildfire in La Plata Mountains

Fire contained using technique recently approved by National Forest Service

DATE: Jul 4, 2022 | CATEGORY: Local News

Public land agencies remove fire restrictions ahead of July 4

Rains prompt San Juan National Forest, BLM to rescind Stage 1 measures

DATE: Jun 30, 2022 | CATEGORY: Local News

Crews fight new wildfire north of Norwood in Uncompahgre Forest

Fire has moderate spread potential, Forest Service says

DATE: Jun 30, 2022 | CATEGORY: Local News

Could prescribed burns curb the health impacts of wildfires?

Controlled fire seen as a tool to mitigate some of the harm, report says

DATE: Jun 23, 2022 | CATEGORY: Southwest Life

Labor shortage compounds federal firefighters’ staffing woes

SALT LAKE CITY – Firefighter groups are applauding the Biden administration’s steps to raise pay but warn that the temporary wage increases won’t be enough to combat staffing problems, as fe...

DATE: Jun 22, 2022 | CATEGORY: Regional News

Arizona fires sweep land rich with ancient sites, artifacts

FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. – As Jason Nez scans rugged mountains, high desert and cliffsides for signs of ancient tools and dwellings unique to the U.S. Southwest, he keeps in mind that they're part o...

DATE: Jun 20, 2022 | CATEGORY: Regional News

‹ Prev
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
Next ›

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

Firefighters reach full containment on Twin Buttes Fire; blaze measured at 4 acres

Firefighters respond to ‘creeping’ wildfire west of Durango

Copter crashes, kills 4 during severe New Mexico fire season

Colorado Gov. Polis meets with Rico fire officials about wildfire preparedness

Firefighters say 10-acre Cox Canyon Fire likely started from week-old lightning strike

Ten-acre Cox Canyon Fire breaks out on Southern Ute tribal land

Lightning triggers wildfire in La Plata Mountains

Public land agencies remove fire restrictions ahead of July 4

Crews fight new wildfire north of Norwood in Uncompahgre Forest

Could prescribed burns curb the health impacts of wildfires?

Labor shortage compounds federal firefighters’ staffing woes

Arizona fires sweep land rich with ancient sites, artifacts

Videos & Photos

Search Directory Plus

Most Popular

Most Recent

Ballantine Communications, Inc.

Contact Us

Find Us