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On March 24, 2023, Collins Lake Ranch hosted the NE New Mexico Environthon completion. Four local high school teams competed for bragging rights and a chance to move onto the state competition. The weather was a little cold in the morning, but that didn’t stop our intrepid students from circulating around the property, looking for answers to problems presented by area Forest and Soil professionals.

In March 2022, a small controlled burn got out of control near Sapello NM, about 20 miles south of the Ranch. Like most fires around the area, it was extinguished in about a week and it really didn’t impact our place. Then, a few days later, another fire started from the smoldering embers of a fall fire that was never fully extinguished.

Over time these two fires would be known as the Hermit’s Peak/Calf Canyon Fire. The winds at this time of year were particularly active and the second fire resisted all efforts to be subdued. Fortunately, it was still 15 miles from the Ranch and didn’t appear to be a real threat to us. But the dry conditions and heavy winds were no match for the firefighters.

One Sunday, the fire jumped all the lines and proceeded north, traveling over 12 miles in a day. By nightfall, the fire was just across the road from the Ranch and was starting to climb to the top of the mountain.

We had evacuated all the clients earlier that day so we didn’t get to see the action firsthand, but our neighbors took this picture as they were leaving. It looks like a scene from an action movie, but it was all too real.

That evening the wind died down a bit and firefighters were able to back burn from the base of the mountain, just beyond all our structures, and lightly burn the underbrush and small trees. By the next morning when the wind picked up again, most of the fuel was gone and the fire was not able to move back down. In this case, the back burning saved our Ranch!!

We recently completed our first tiny house in our staff housing complex (our earlier units are yurts). This residence features a living/dining/kitchenette as well as a private bedroom with lots of storage. Guests will have access to the main staff housing center which includes a full kitchen, plenty of dining and living space, multiple baths and a great laundry area. Communal living at its best!!

If you don’t like the color of this place, don’t worry – we are close to finishing up the next two homes, including a two-bedroom unit. That will bring the total complex to six residences in addition to the staff housing center.