County burn ban set until further notice

Recent dry, windy weather prompted the Quay County Commission Monday to declare a burning ban in unincorporated areas of Quay County until further notice.

County Fire Marshal Donald Adams requested the ban Monday, saying he knew this is the time of year when farmers burn vegetation in ditches in preparation for irrigation season.

Recent windy weather and major fires in Texas, he said, prompted his request.

“We hope we get some moisture soon,” he said.

The burn ban does not apply to the city of Tucumcari or the villages of San Jon, Logan or House, nor to the Arch Hurley Conservancy District, where county government lacks jurisdiction, commissioners said.

In other business, commissioners conducted the following actions:

• Closed out the $1.1 million Quay Road 63 project, a Community Development Block Grant-funded paving and drainage project that resurfaced Quay Road 63 from the Tucumcari Memorial Cemetery to about a mile west and included gutters, culverts and a concrete low-water crossing.

The project was funded by nearly $500,000 in block grant funds; a Local Development Road Fund allocation of more than $540,000 and a $93,000 contribution from county tax funds, according to Darla Munsell, CDBG grant coordinator for the county.

• Waived fees for the use of the Quay County Fairgrounds to the Rawhide Days event scheduled for May 4-6.

Russell Braziel, Rawhide Days coordinator, said the event will include a blacksmithing competition, among other attractions.