NEW MEXICO LOOKOUTS
TURKEY
State
July 2, 1963: "A forest fire which can be seen 20 miles away was still burning out of control west of Raton today.
The fire, in the Vernejo Park area, was seen by a lookout at Turkey Tower, above Cimarron, State Forester Ray Bell said. The lookout reportedly saw a huge column of smoke, 20-25 miles northwest of the tower.
A Forestry Department pilot who scanned the area Sunday said about 3,000 acres were burned, but he could not see anyone fighting the fire.
Bud Lewis, manager of the Pacific Lumber Co., which has timber rights on the land, said about 700 acres were destroyed. The Forestry Department has no fire protection agreement on the land which is on the W.S. Gorley Ranch." (Hobbs Daily News-Sun)