SB QST @ ARL $ARLB042
ARLB042 Hams aid New Mexico, Arizona fire efforts

ZCZC AG42
QST de W1AW  
ARRL Bulletin 42  ARLB042
From ARRL Headquarters  
Newington CT  June 26, 2003
To all radio amateurs 

SB QST ARL ARLB042
ARLB042 Hams aid New Mexico, Arizona fire efforts

Amateurs in the vicinity of Sandoval County, New Mexico, had just
wrapped up an activation to support emergency communication for
personnel fighting the Virgin Mesa fire about 50 miles north of
Albuquerque when they were notified to stand by for yet another fire
right next to the city June 24.

Some 600 residents had to be evacuated as a result of the
Albuquerque fire, which left an estimated 16,000 without power. Gov
Bill Richardson declared a state of emergency.

Sandoval County ARES members stood by to assist Bernalillo County
ARES if needed, said Sandoval County ARES team member Jay Miller,
WA5WHN. In the end, Albuquerque firefighters were able to handle the
blaze, which destroyed an upscale home that was under construction.

North of Tucson, Arizona, progress has been made to contain the
Aspen Fire, which has destroyed close to 300 houses since it broke
out June 17. Fire officials said that the blaze now is 25 percent
contained, but still too dangerous for Amateur Radio volunteers to
help. More than 1200 firefighters and support personnel continue
working at the scene of the wildfire, which destroyed some
mountaintop amateur repeater installations.
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