Info

August 25th, 2011
General Information

Cloudcroft, New Mexico, has a resident population of about 850 people. The “greater Cloudcroft” area adds about 2,000 more people.

The town elevation is 8,600 feet, but you can get to almost 9,000 feet by climbing the hill above Burro Street, our main street.

“Cloudcroft” is an old English word meaning covered or shrouded in clouds. It is a wonderful, unique name. Cloudcroft is not normally covered in clouds, however. Instead, the norm is beautiful views and wonderful temperatures, staying cool in the summer and not getting that cold in the winter.

Cloudcroft, New Mexico
Maps/Planning
Weather
Fire Information
Cloudcroft Online Special Reports

Shopping

August 26th, 2011
Copper Butterfly

A “must visit” on the Burro Street Boardwalk in downtown Cloudcroft. Copper Butterfly is wall-to-wall with one-of-a-kind craft and decorating items, including a good selection of Southwest jewelry, pottery, and other originals. One of the oldest businesses on the Boardwalk.

The Turquoise Shop

We feature reasonably priced quality handmade Indian Jewelry and the rare white turquoise jewelry from Tonapok Nevada!!! We also carry unique rugs, pottery and baskets. Check out our unique collection at 507 Burro Street. For more information visit our Web Site or call (575) 682-3327.

KennaBellesKreations

KennaBellesKreations located at 306 Burro Street located near The Bear Track is the place you want to go for all your personal baked goods favorites. We bake fresh daily pastries, cinnamon rolls, kolaches, cookies brownies pistachio bread, etc. We have assorted pies baked from scratch that usually are hot out of the oven. We bake a variety of breads for any occasion. KennabellesKreations, we start our day with a cup of flour. 575-601-2712 or logon to Facebook at KennabellesKreations. Visit our website at Kennabelleskreationsbakery.com.

Mountain Foto

For over ten years, one of Cloudcroft’s most popular visitor stops. Get your picture made in authentic period costumes. One person or a whole family. It is a memento from your trip to Cloudcroft that will give you lasting memories for years to come. No appointment needed. Just drop into Mountain Foto on historic Burro Street. We’re open 7 days a week.

Gift Shop Mall

For all your shopping needs, visit the Cloudcroft Hotel & Gift Shop Mall. The Mall offers many different shops. Get your souvenirs and gifts at the Cloudcroft Gift Shop, or your antiques at Mountain Comforts. How about some candy at the Cloudcroft Candy & Nut Shoppe or stained glass at Mr. Air Gallery? Or you can go to Susan’s Change of A’Dress for any clothing you may have forgotten. Tired? Relax with a cup of coffee at the Olive Branch, then have your old-fashioned picture taken at Mountain Foto. For more information, call (575) 682-3414 or email cloudcrofthotel@zianet.com.

Connor Outdoor Specialties

We can special order guns, ammo, archery, and outdoor hunting supplies. For more information about our services call (575) 687-4006 (our Fax number is the same), email stcoutfitting@yahoo.com, or visit our Web Site. Stephen T. Connor, Owner.

Mary Kay Consultant

Located in Cloudcroft and serving Otero and Lincoln Counties. Call to place an order or to arrange a personal consultation. Products for women, teens, and even that wonderful man in your life. Mary Kay isn’t just makeup anymore. Call (575) 687-4006 (our Fax is the same number), or e-mail LeeannH@MaryKay.com.

Q-Teez

Q-Teez, T-Shirts, Gifts and Dog Boutique is located at 96 Little Glorieta across from Scotty´s LPG. We carry human sizes 6 mos. to 5x and xxsm-xlarge for dogs. Q-Teez is a unique shopping experience for the whole family and the dog! Phone: 575-491-9225.

Allsups Convenience Store

Open all the time. Cloudcroft’s only convenience store. Gas, deli, picnic supplies. Located on Highway 82, downtown Cloudcroft.

Don´t forget to mention you saw it on
Cloudcroft Online!

Services

August 26th, 2011
The Mountain Monthly

The Sacramento Mountains’ oldest and most read newspaper. Each month’s issue includes local news, special features and information on the area’s current events. For subscription or advertising information, call (575) 682-2208 or email mountainmonthly@mountainmonthly.com or come by our office in the Mountain Foto studio on historic Burro Street.

Cloudcroft Water Storage Tanks

Sandy and Phil have water tanks for storage and hauling, and also rain water collecting. Talk to us about a backup storage system for your cabin. Always know you have sufficient water at your cabin before you come up. We can help you design a system that is best for your situation. For more information, call (575) 682-2308 or visit our Web Site at www.ineedawatertank.com.

Everybody should have a stash of fresh water in a Water Storage Tank. Remember, this is New Mexico!

Real

August 25th, 2011

Cloudcroft New Mexico real estate, vacation homes, cabins, ranches, property, rentals, agents. Master resource list for area Realtors. Web sites, phone numbers, contact information, for sale listings.

Blue Canyon Realty

www.BlueCanyonRealty.com. 575-682-BLUE (2583), 202 US Hwy 82, Cloudcroft, NM, email: info@Bluecanyonrealty.com.

We are PASSIONATE about providing the highest level of Real Estate service available, and in that pursuit, the best Realtors are invited to join Blue Canyon. Year after year, Blue Canyon Realty helps over five times more people buy and sell mountain properties than the average Cloudcroft real estate office. We offer big city experience and small town commitment to helping those we serve. Mountain properties can be more complicated than city properties. We are COMMITTED to providing the very best real estate experiences.

Blue Water Real Estate

We are Cloudcroft’s most established Real Estate Offices. Whether you are looking for a full or part time residence, cabin or town home, land or lot, ranch or commercial property, it’s easier than you think to get the property of your dreams, and we are here to help you! We are located in the Beautiful Burro Exchange Building on Burro Street just behind the Post Office. Give us a call (toll-free) 877 682-3566, email info@bluewaterrealestatenm.com, or visit our Web Site.

Cloudcroft Properties

Our staff of professional agents is proud of the many years of real estate service to both buyers and sellers. Stop by. Have a cup of coffee and a cookie. Pick up free area maps and brochures and let us show you the area and our community. For more information, call (877) 478-0426 (toll free) or (575) 682-4555, or see our Web Site. You can FAX us at: (575) 682-4556.

Gary Mack Real Estate

We’ve got what you want at Gary Mack Real Estate. We will take care of all your real estate needs. We offer quality service because our customers are our top priority. So the next time you are in the Cloudcroft area, stop by and say hi. Gary Mack Real Estate, where the coffee is always hot and the smiles are always free. For additional information, please visit our Web Site.

RE/MAX Green Mountain Real Estate

RE/MAX Green Mountain Real Estate offers a complete package of real estate needs to the public. Our operation consists not only of property sales, but also the most active construction firm in the area and a home design staff. Our most notable accomplishments recently have been the development of The Woodlands and Bear Park subdivisions and the construction of the Burro Street Exchange in downtown Cloudcroft. Considering these services, and combined with in-house financing ability for customers, people agree that we are the most comprehensive real estate firm in the Cloudcroft area. This has made us a dependable, steady leader in the field of real estate. Call (575) 682-2537 or visit our Web Site for more information.

THE EVERETT TEAM at Blue Canyon Realty

See all our newest listings at www.CloudcroftRE.com. 575-430-0510

The Everett Team offers Specialized Real Estate Services for buying & selling mountain properties. Our seven Team Members specialize, allowing us to be “The Best” at what we do. We believe every client deserves exclusive representation by a specialist. Listing Specialist, Randy Everett, Qualifying Broker and Blue Canyon Realty owner is 100% devoted to selling listings, selling more properties than any other Realtor on the mountain for the past three years. We offer an extensive marketing program, spending thousands monthly in traditional and internet advertising for our listings. Everett Team Buyer Specialists exclusively serve and represent you when you want to buy; they know the mountain properties by heart. Stop by & see us at 202 Hwy 82, right in the heart of Cloudcroft. Call our office at 575-682-BLUE and always ask for THE EVERETT TEAM.

Mountain Dove Realty

MountainDoveRealty.com. Photo Web Site. Serving YOU who desire to be a step ahead of the crowd. LAND, Cabins, Homes, Ranches, Commercial. Retirement, Recreational in the Forested Mountains. Be informed contact Betty A. Olsen Owner/Broker/Listing Agent — Licensed here since April, 1991. (575) 687-3769.

Spur Landing

For details, call 575-682-2700 or email info@spurlanding.com.

Don´t forget to mention you saw it on
Cloudcroft Online!

Privacy_Policy

August 25th, 2011
Privacy Policy

Personal Information
Your privacy is of the utmost importance to us. You are free to use Cloudcroft.com anonymously.

When contacting us, you are welcome to give personal information or to remain anonymous. We protect any personal information provided. The feedback form automatically captures your IP address and browser version. This information is used to identify and fix web site problems and to serve you better. This same information is automatically recorded in our server log files as pages and images are requested, as part of a standard web server setup.

Business Relationships

This site contains links to other web sites. Cloudcroft.com is not responsible for the privacy practices or the content of such web sites.

Mailing List

If you join our mailing list, we will keep your email address and any demographics information you volunteer strictly confidential. We will never give or sell your email address or any information about you to anyone else.

Penasco

August 25th, 2011

Penasco Fire

April 30, 2002 — A forest fire of unknown but suspicious origin began today (Tuesday) at mid-afternoon near Cloudcroft. At 10pm the blaze was still considered out of control.

The fire has involved about 250 acres with some crowning. It is located about 14 miles Southeast of the Village on NM 130 (about 4 miles from Ponderosa Pines golf course and subdivision).

Winds are 15 to 25 mph Northerly. The Village of Cloudcroft is in no immediate danger, but is on alert.

Slurry planes were used in fighting the blaze during the afternoon.

No property damage reported at this time. Several residences are located in the fire area.

This reporter was escorted into the fire zone this evening by Otero Country Sheriff’s deputies. The fire fighting process is in the containment phase. Here are several pictures of isolated hot spots.

Photo 1
Photo 2

Rio Penasco Fire

The Rio Penasco Fire, as it is being called, which began during the afternoon Tuesday, continues to burn about 14 miles from the Village of Cloudcroft on Hwy 130.

No reports of property loss or injury. The only evacuations have been in the immediate fire area.

Gusty winds are complicating containment efforts but law enforcement officials on the scene indicated fire fighting efforts were going well.

Cloudcroft.com was on the scene earlier this evening and was given a Sheriff’s office escort to the fire’s perimeter. We witnessed several hot spots and some crowning of the fire due to the severe dry conditions.

The Village of Cloudcroft is not considered in immediate danger.

May 1, 2002, 9am — Cloudcroft.com just returned from the scene of the Rio Penasco Fire.

High winds are hindering fire fighting efforts, but, according to the project information officer, the fire has been burning in a circular, hurricane-like pattern. This means the fire is having to feed on fuel that has already burned, which could help in efforts to quell the blaze.

Officially the Forest Service still has 250 acres as involved. Sheriff’s office estimates are at 300 acres. No reports of injuries or property loss.

Winds are gusting up to 45 miles per hour, making it impossible to get a handle on the fire. Firefighters are concentrating on property defense. There are several homes in the immediate fire area. All have been evacuated.

The Village of Cloudcroft is approximately 15 miles from the blaze and is considered not to be in immediate danger.

If there is any change in the situation, we will report it on Cloudcroft.com.

These pictures were taken Wednesday morning. Because of the unpredictable winds, we were not allowed to go closer to the fire.

Photo 3
Photo 4
Photo 5
Photo 6

May 1, 2002, 4pm — The wind has been a definite negative in the fighting of the Rio Penasco Fire, burning out of control about 17 miles from Cloudcroft between NM 130 and Highway 82 near Mayhill.

Winds of up to 50 miles per hour kept fire fighters off the fire lines today for the most part. Their main goal today has been property protection.

Slurry planes have been grounded due to the winds.

Winds are subsiding a little this afternoon but are still high.

Two homes have reportedly been lost near Mayhill. The amount of involvement has increased from 250 acres this morning to about 800 acres this afternoon. No injuries have been reported. About 1000 fire fighters and support crew are working on this blaze with more reinforcements expected soon.

Voluntary evacuations have been instituted in Curtis Canyon and in and near the Village of Mayhill.

Should evacuations of other areas be announced, law enforcement officials ask that the evacuation notices be acted upon quickly due to the high winds and volatility of this fire.

An evacuation center has been opened at the high school in Cloudcroft.

Updates on Cloudcroft.com when new information is received.

May 2, 2002, 7:30am — High winds have caused the Rio Penasco fire to balloon from 250 acres yesterday to over 11,000 acres today.

As many as 20 structures are said to have been destroyed.

800 persons have been voluntarily evacuated. An evacuation center is set up at the Cloudcroft High School.

The fire’s movement this morning is North Easterly.

Portions of NM 130 and US 82 have been closed.

No injuries reported. Winds are calmer today.

May 2, 2002, 4:45pm — “This fire is a heartbreaker,” said one Otero County Sheriff’s office official.

The Rio Penasco fire, with it’s hottest area located between NM 130 and US 82 near Mayhill, moved from a 250 acre fire yesterday to an estimated 1000 acres of involvement today.

Slurry planes attacked the fire with a vengeance this morning…the huge tanker planes flying in and dropping their red fire retardant at a frequency of about one drop a minute.

The winds picked up again this afternoon. Fire fighters were drawn back from the fireline. The tankers were grounded. A day that started with optimism has ended in uncertainty. Officials are hoping to continue retardant drops this evening when the winds die down.

No one is willing to speculate on when the fire will be declared under control.

The Rio Penasco fire has indirectly claimed one life. William Myers is said to have likely started the blaze accidentally. Today he committed suicide, leaving behind a note saying he just couldn’t live with himself. Myers lived near Mayhill. The Otero county sheriff’s office says the fire was probably started by a faulty spark arrester on Myers’ 4-wheel ATV.

About 600 firefighters are on the blaze. As many as 7 tankers are dropping retardant when winds permit. They are backed by several spotter aircraft.

A shelter for those displaced by the fire has been set up at the Cloudcroft High School.

Cloudcroft is not considered in immediate danger.

Here are some more photos taken today (May 3).

May 3, 2002, 12am — Linda Green of Mayhill has kindly provided these photos of the fire taken on Wed, May 1 (the first day).

Linda Green´s Photos (taken May 1).

May 3, 3003, 10:15am — Command changes have slowed down the flow of information this morning.

According to this morning’s briefing, there has been no increase in the amount of acreage involved (9500 acres). No new reports of any property loss.

The Village of Mayhill continues to be threatened by the movement of the fire, which broke through containment lines yesterday afternoon after winds picked up.

The Village of Cloudcroft is in no immediate danger.

9 slurry planes are taking advantage of calmer winds this morning in a constant attack. Forecasts indicate winds may pick up again this afternoon.

5% containment. 20 structures burned (at least two homes).

No injuries (other than the reported suicide of the person suspected of accidentally starting the blaze).

Resources committed — 9 air tankers, 6 helicopters, 18 engines, 12 dozers, 11 water tenders, 8 Type I crews and 17 Type II crews.

An evacuation center is being maintained at Cloudcroft High School.

May 3, 2002, 11:30am — Here are two views of the fire looking Southeast from US 82 from just above Cloud Country that were shot by Preston Brashear on May 2 at 8pm.

Photos by Preston Brashear (taken May 2).

May 3, 2002, 5:30pm — Yesterday fire officials were saying the Rio Penasco fire was 5% contained.

Today they say it is 10-12% controlled.

Slurry planes kept up a feverish attack on the fire this morning until winds grounded them. Large water-bearing helicopters took up the attack, but they were unable to carry as much retardant as the planes. Over 70,000 gallons of retardant has been applied.

Yesterday, Cloudcroft.com observed a fireline on the other side of the mountain crest from Hwy 82. Today that fireline had moved over the top of the mountain and was headed toward ranches and homes near the highway. Many of those residences are in clearings, which gives them better chances of survival. Some are not.

One report today put the amount of burned forest at 15,400 acres (up from the 9500 acres reported late yesterday).

Compared to the Scott Able Fire near the same area 2 years ago, the Penasco fire has caused much more damage. The Scott Able Fire was under control after 3 days. After 3 days, the Penasco Fire remains a threat.

Officials have been unable to update property damage assessments because of the volatility of the fire, making it impossible to send in ground units. Yesterday’s report of 20 buildings destroyed is still the official estimate, but it is expected to go higher.

Still no injuries reported.

Law enforcement agencies from other New Mexico counties have come into the area to prevent looting and to maintain traffic control.

Tomorrow will hopefully be a better day, with winds expected to be less than since the fire began. Slurry planes are back in the air this afternoon and ground crews are able to move in.

The Village of Mayhill has been declared out of immediate danger. The Village of Cloudcroft is not considered in the path of the fire, but smoke from the blaze could be seen from Cloudcroft this afternoon, putting Villager’s on edge.

Unless there is a drastic change in the status of the Rio Penasco fire, Cloudcroft.com’s next report will be tomorrow morning.

Photos taken this afternoon (May 3).

May 4, 2002, 8:30am — Sacramento Mountain residents woke this morning to the drones of helicopters and tanker planes working to reclaim the forest from the Rio Penasco Fire.

Because of more cooperative winds, the Rio Penasco Fire is now 50% contained. Wind conditions are expected to be favorable for fire fighting today and Sunday.

20 structures (mostly homes) have been destroyed, but officials are saying 600 others remain in danger despite the fact that they are getting a handle on the blaze.

Mayhill, New Mexico, once in serious jeopardy from advancing flames, is now considered safe.

While smoke was visible in Cloudcroft yesterday, the Village was not in the path of the fire.

Crews continued to prepare structures near the fire for protection by setting back fires and removing fuel along Hwy 82 and James Canyon.

Today’s forecast: Winds 12mph, 71 degrees, 9 percent RH. No moisture in the forecast.

Resources: 15 type I crews (best trained). 27 type II crews (support). 7 helicopters, 11 air tankers, 21 engines, 12 dozers, 4 camp crews, 984 total personnel.

Many of the assets working the Ryan fire in Arizona have been moved to the Penasco fire since the Arizona blaze is considered 100% contained.

No injuries reported. One death associated indirectly with the fire.

Officials say it is still too early to predict when the 4-day-old fire will be totally contained.

May 4, 2002, 5:00pm — “The weather gave us a good shot today.”

So says a Forest Service official that stated the crews (numbering close to 1000) are engaged in cleaning up existing hot spots in the Rio Penasco Fire and making sure contained areas stay that way.

Since there were no official news briefings this weekend, the amount of containment remains at 50%, but Cloudcroft.com observed considerably less fire and smoke this afternoon and no advancement of the blaze in any direction according to law enforcement officers manning perimeters.

Credit for keeping a disaster from turning into a more tragic loss of property was given to local crews…the Mescalero Hot Shots, the Sacramento Mountain Hot Shots, and various engines associated with the Lincoln National Forest fire teams…who secured properties during the out-of-control situation that existed from Tuesday through Friday.

The property loss is still officially 20 structures. Assessment of how many of those structures are homes is on-going. Earlier concerns that the property loss total would be much higher has been dampened by today’s dramatic progress in containing the fire.

Satellite images indicate there are hot spots still existing in the Southwest and Northeast areas of the fire grid.

While some 600 homes remain in potential danger, a special team was assigned this morning to coordinate the return of residents to their homes.

The Villages of Mayhill (in serious danger in the earlier stages of the fire) and Cloudcroft (out of the effective range of the fire) are now considered safe from this, the worst wildfire this season so far in the nation.

Unofficial response to the question of when the fire will be declared 100% contained is probably tomorrow or Monday if the weather continues to cooperate.

Photos taken May 4, late afternoon.

May 4, 2002, 11:30pm — Here´s the latest AP report on the fire:

MAYHILL, N.M. (AP) — Firefighters continued their steady progress Saturday against a 15,500-acre wildfire that had destroyed at least 20 structures in southern New Mexico. Officials said the blaze was 60% contained.

“It went real well today. The line that had been established is holding,” fire information officer Donna Nemeth said.

Fire crews were expected to turn their focus to the fire’s eastern edge; full containment was predicted by midweek.

Firefighters were conducting a survey to determine how many of the burned structures were homes, Nemeth said. The Otero County Sheriff’s Department allowed some residents to temporarily visit the area Saturday.

Much of the progress on the fire came Friday when winds declined, temperatures cooled and water-and slurry-dropping aircraft were able to take to the skies.

May 5, 2002, 9:30am — Today dawned with light winds and cool temperatures.

If the weather holds, crews working the Rio Penasco Fire are expected to take a giant step forward in bringing the fire to its knees.

“We are completely at the mercy of the weather,” said one hotshot who was standing in line at the Cloudcroft Allsup’s 7-11 buying a snack and a soft drink before he and his crew headed back out to work.

Weather conditions are critical until the fire has been completely contained. Then, and only then, can officials and the residents of the Rio Penasco Fire area breath easier.

Slurry planes could be heard flying in and out of the effected area this morning. These planes are rendered ineffective when the winds get up beyond 25 mph. Their drops are crucial to eliminating the hot spots of the fire.

No new outbreaks. No reports of new property damage or injuries.

The crew size and ordinance committed remain basically the same as yesterday. The Associated Press is reporting 60% containment.

May 5, 2002, 5:00pm — Brisk winds this afternoon stifled efforts to get the final upper-hand on the Rio Penasco Fire. No new break-outs were reported.

Situation reports this afternoon put the total acreage involved at about the same as yesterday (15,400). Containment remains at about 60%.

Hwy 82 has been opened to normal traffic. Limited access has been allowed persons owning homes in the evacuated areas. A recovery group has been assigned to assisting residents returning to their homes. A structure damage assessment group is visiting areas in the fire area to pinpoint damage.

The evacuation center at Cloudcroft High School remains open.

975 persons, including crews from all over the country, are assisting.

May 5, 2002, 11:45pm — Here´s another photo kindly provided by Preston Brashear.

Photo taken at 6:30pm, May 5.

May 6, 2002, 8:30am — Aerial and ground crews continue to grapple with the Rio Penasco fire with favorable weather conditions helping today.

The ground assessment crew reports that 17 homes and 27 outbuildings have been destroyed.

Containment has been set at 65%.

15,400 acres have been burned.

An unofficial target for 100% containment is set for Wednesday or Thursday if the weather cooperates.

No new reports of injuries. No new outbreaks.

May 6, 2002, 4:30pm — The Situation report on the Rio Penasco Fire is the same as this morning:

* No new break-outs.
* Wind gusty today.
* 65% containment.

May 6, 2002, 11:00pm — Here is a general map of the fire extent as it was on May 3 provided by the Southwest Area Wildland Fire Operations Center. This map is not to be considered precise.

Fire Map May 3, 2002.

May 7, 2002, 8:30am — Officials are hoping for total containment of the Rio Penasco Fire by tomorrow.

Containment today was reported at 65% with most of the flare-ups occurring on islands inside the burn area. There has been no breach of the containment lines for 4 days.

A few extra people have been assigned to the fire in an attempt to muscle it out. 1031 persons are working the Rio Penasco Fire.

A dozer-dug perimeter around the fire is about complete.

May 7, 2002, 5:30pm — No new developments on the Rio Penasco Fire.

Officials are still saying total containment could come as early as tomorrow.

Winds were brisk but manageable today.

We hope to post some pictures tomorrow of the property damage.

May 8, 2002, 9:30am — The crews are pulling out. The slurry planes have been withdrawn. A crew of about 40 are left to mop up the Rio Penasco Fire, which is listed at 85% contained. Full containment is hoped for today.

Damage and burn statistics remain the same.

Weather looks good for today’s work.

May 8, 2002, 5:30pm — Final Report.

After 8 days, with almost 16,000 acres and an estimated $6,000,000 damage in its wake, the Penasco Fire near Cloudcroft is considered totally contained.

There were no injuries (outside of exhaustion and minor sprains) attributed directly to the fire.

There will be lasting affects, however, including the visual image of the devastation along US 82 between Mayhill and Cloudcroft and along NM 130 between the same towns…there to remind motorists of what wildfire can do to a forest area for years to come.

Photos taken May 8.