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JUNE 4, 2001

A special arson task force has been set up to investigate 18 fires that have occurred on the Mescalero Apache Reservation in New Mexico.

The most recent is a blaze which started on Saturday that has come within hundreds of yards of tribal facilities. It has also forced the evacuation of nearby residents, who do not live on the reservation.

Tribal officials remporarily closed the Inn of the Mountain Gods and the adjacent Casino Apache on Sunday. They were reopened on Sunday, when Governor Gary Johnson declared the area a disaster.

The blaze was 440 acres as of Sunday evening. It is called the Trap and Skeet Fire.

Secretary of Interior Gale Norton will appear on Native America Calling on Thursday to talk about fire safety and Indian Country involvement.

Get the Story:
Fire Area Declared Disaster (The Albuquerque Journal 6/4)
Ruidoso Keeps Watch on Fire (The Albuquerque Journal 6/3)
Fire Breaks Out Near Ruidoso (The Albuquerque Journal 6/2)