A RESIDENT'S OBSERVATIONS ON THE PEPPIN FIRE

The following is a list of my observations on the Peppin Fire in the Capitan Mountains:

May 14, 2004 - There was no fire observed.

May 15, 2004 - There was a small plume of smoke coming from a fire half way up the side of the Capitan Mountains, on the south side. This was North of the turn off to Fort Stanton. At this point the fire could have been put out by a couple of drops by the small tanker planes that were being used later.

May 16, 2004 - The fire had grown to approximately 5 acres (my estimation) and was growing (still could have been put out). I observed a sign along US 380, in the morning, between Capitan and Lincoln that said CONTROL BURN. This sign looked like a stop sign. It was painted red with white lettering. It had been removed by the evening. We watched the smoke from the Billy the Kid Pageant Grounds, in Lincoln, all of this day.

May 17, 2004 - The fire was still small but had grown to approximately 10 to 15 acres (my estimation and still could have been put out).

May 18 thru 21, 2004 - Could see smoke coming over the top of the Capitans from our home North of the mountains.

May 22, 2004 - Watched the fire top out and start down the North side of the mountain and expand East and West.

May 23 thru 28, 2004 - The rest is history and recorded in various news stories.

This is what happens when the US Forest Service “observes” a fire during hot, dry and windy conditions.

Lloyd Maness