The Oakmont Fire – May 3, 2024
Around noon on Friday May 3rd, our fire chief Tony McWilliams was just sitting down in the High Country Lounge & Grill to enjoy his smothered green chili burrito when he happened to look out the back porch of the Lounge and noticed a thin trail of white smoke rising from the trees.
“Uh-oh, that’s smoke, gotta go”
It quickly developed into a major fire, about 100 acres on the northwest part of Timberon, causing damage to the Golf Course subdivision including Oakmont Drive, Pawhuska Drive, and parts of Sacramento Drive in the center of town.
Air support was deployed, and were on the scene quickly, along with HotShots coming from other towns. Timberon Water & Sanitation District employees were on the scene with heavy equipment and water trucks, along with local contractors running their ‘dozers and cutting fire breaks.
With everyone’s hard work, and quick response, the forest fire had settled down by the early evening, and as of this morning, it is contained but the HotShots are still in town guarding the perimeters and watching the smolders for flare-ups.
News stations covered it briefly with pictures and videos submitted by residents.
An article in the Alamogordo Daily News.
Connie Shields, owner of Connie’s Deli and Donna Roberts EMT, in Timberon preparing food for the firefighters. The fire came right up behind this restaurant but was held back by the fire crew.
The residents of Timberon are so fortunate to have the TVFD (Timberon Volunteer Fire Department) on-site and ready to go at all times. Their quick response and support received from the Hot Shots and the air bombers saved our town again.
Update 5/5/2024: Fire is contained. The burn area was revised to 65 acres. Mop-up in progress.
