Fire-fighting plane to arrive at Ruidoso airport May 19

A small plane used in rapid responses to wildfires will arrive at Ruidoso's municipal airport May 19, and remain stationed there for much of the fire season. Even better, the Bureau of Indian Affairs working with the U.S. Forest Service will be paying the bill for the single-engine air tanker. The estimated cost for a 90-day fire danger period is about $252,000, according to a figure cited by Lincoln County Manager Nita Taylor last November. The threat to the forest around Ruidoso is enhanced by a prolonged drought, which creates prime conditions for wildfires. The community also owes appreciation to Gov. Susana Martinez and U.S. Rep. Steve Pearce, R-NM, who visited the airport and the Little Bear Fire site last year and, "have never let up on the pressure to be proactive for the entire state," the airport manager said...more

Rep. Pearce took a lot of guff last year for being "rude" to forest officials.  Looks to me like he got their attention.