NEGRITO MOUNTAIN
New Mexico - Catron County - Gila National Forest - 10S-17W-02
April 12, 1934: "Forest fire hazard in the Magdalena area has necessitated posting an emergency guard at the Negrito lookout in the Gila national forest, Supervisor J.A. Scott of Silver City advised the regional forest office Wednesday. Dryness of the country and presence of a large number of sheep now lambing in the open grass country was reported." (Albuquerque Journal)
June 9, 1938: "Jack Crutchfield, living in a dizzy glass-enclosed tower north of Mogollon, today is one of the Men of the Hour in the Gila National Forest.
He's a Forest Service fire lookout. Relief squads are fighting 12 forest fires in the region; fires that broke out within 48 hours. The region is dry as a bone.
Fire season is from May 1 until July 15, when lookouts stay at their posts and scan the horizon.
Jack Crutchfield's tower is the Negrito Lookout. Recently, in his vicinity, a fire was checked by a single man working like a beaver digging a trench through the black earth under the giant trees. The man had it under control when other men arrived, called by Jack Crutchfield and the other lookout men. It was started, supposedly, by a careless fisherman and his cigaret." (El Paso Herald Post)