Area departments aid Cannon in fire

Fire departments from Curry and Roosevelt counties helped crews from Cannon Air Force Base to put out a blaze that engulfed about 5,000 acres at the Melrose Air Force Range July 20.

According to a news release from the Cannon AFB public affairs department, around 8:15 p.m. that date lightning struck starting a fire that spread throughout the western quadrant of the MAFR and went about 100 yards beyond the range perimeter. The fire was successfully contained July 21 at 3:11 a.m.

“Our firefighters received immediate resources from multiple partner fire departments to contain the fire,” 27th Special Operations Civil Engineer Squadron fire chief Jason Berry said.

Participating agencies included personnel from Cannon, MAFR, Clovis, Portales, Floyd, Melrose, and Valley District Fire Departments, and personnel from Altus, a federal contractor.

“We are grateful for the support we received from our community fire departments last night,” 27th Special Operations Group commander Col. Michael Shreves said.