Seven Cabins Fire Grows; Local First Responders Plan to Honor Flight Nurse Killed in Crash
Seven Cabins Fire blaze grows to 16,443 acres; Sarah Clark is among four killed in a med-plane crash that sparked the wildfire. Local law enforcement and volunteer fire departments plan procession
The fire sparked by the medical plane crash burning in the Capitan Mountain Wilderness now covers 16,443 acres with 7% containment, according to InciWeb.
The crash that ignited the Seven Cabins Fire on May 14 killed four crew members, including Alamogordo flight nurse Sarah Clark.
According to the Federal Aviation Administration, a Beechcraft King Air 90 operated by Generation Jets crashed around 4 a.m. while en route from Roswell to Sierra Blanca Regional Airport.
The aircraft was on a medical transport mission carrying two pilots and two nurses. All four crew members aboard were killed. There were no patients on the plane.
The victims were Generation Jets pilots Keelan Clark and Ali Kawsara, and Trans Aero MedEvac flight nurses Jamie Novick and Sarah Clark. The crash is currently under investigation by the National Transportation Safety Board and the FAA.
Fire Details
As of Wednesday morning, 787 personnel are assigned to the fire, supported by 36 engines, 30 water tenders, 6 helicopters, and 7 dozers, with 7% containment. Fire officials attributed the progress to lowering wind speeds and the arrival of a cold front.
In a Wednesday morning update from Southwest Area Team One, Operations Chief Brandon Woodward expressed optimism about the conditions firefighters are facing.
“With the weather that we have, we expect a lot of progress on the fire today,” Woodward said.
State Highway 246 remains closed between mile marker 19 north of Capitan and Mark Road in Chavez County. All roads, trails, and access to the Capitan Mountains wilderness area remain closed.
GO status evacuations remain in effect from Highway 246 to the ridgetop of the Capitan Mountains, between mile marker 13 and Boy Scout Mountain. Residents southeast of the fire should anticipate visible smoke. Air quality information is available at AirNow.gov.
Updated information is available on InciWeb, Watch Duty, or the Seven Cabins Fire Facebook page.
Local Response
Clark grew up in the Alamogordo area. In a written statement, the Cloudcroft Fire Department extended its condolences.
“Matt Clark, our friend and Otero County Emergency Manager, lost his daughter today. Our deepest prayers,” the statement said.
The Otero County Sheriff’s Office shared their own written statement, describing Clark as “well known and deeply respected throughout the Otero County first responder community … [she] excelled in her career because of her compassion, professionalism, and unwavering dedication to helping others in their time of need.”
Cloudcroft Police Chief Roger Schoolcraft, speaking at the Cloudcroft village council meeting Tuesday, told the council the community had already begun planning to bring her home:
“I know you’re all aware that we lost one of our first responders in the plane crash in Capitan.”
“Her father, Matt Clark, has been a friend of mine for about 30 years. Her brother Ben Clark was one of our deputies at the sheriff’s office. I worked with him before he went to Border Patrol.”
“The sheriff’s office has a couple of deputies tasked to make sure that when she comes home from Albuquerque, we honor her and we bring her home right.”
“We’re all going to be there for that,” he said.
“We are all reeling,” Hilary Kitzman, an EMT with the Cloudcroft Volunteer Fire Department (CCVFD), said.
CCVFD, along with other local fire departments, participated in the procession taking Clark’s remains to Albuquerque.
VFD Chief Erich Wuersching says CCVFD “will participate in honoring her during her return trip.”
This report is made possible in part by support from local businesses like these:
Cloudcroft Art Society
Located in Old Red Brick Schoolhouse: Holiday and Saturday art showsNoisy Water Winery
Family-owned winery crafting thoughtfully made wines from New Mexico grapes, inspired by mountain living.Be in the Mountains Yoga & Massage
A cozy space for yoga and massage therapy at the Village PlazaOsha Trail Depot
Your destination for unique, hand-crafted treasuresThe Stove and Spa Store
We offer a variety of services to ensure your hearth and spa dreams are met!The Lodge at Cloudcroft
Landmark Choice Among New Mexico ResortsCloudcroft Art Workshops
Enhance your artistry while enjoying the beauty and coolness of the mountains!Sacramento Camp & Conference Center
Come to the Mountain — Let God Refresh Your SoulLaughing Leaf Dispensary
Discover a world of wellness at Laughing LeafInstant Karma
Adventure Within: Transformative Yoga, Ayurvedic Wisdom, Nourishing Organics, Fair Trade BoutiqueOff the Beaten Path
Eclectic gifts & original artworkFuture Real Estate
Raise your expectations.Ski Cloudcroft
The Southernmost ski area in New Mexico.Cloudcroft Therapeutic Massage
Maximizing Movement, Quality of Life ImprovementHigh Altitude
Your favorite little outdoor outfitter on Burro AvenueBlushing Yucca Esthetics
✨ Book your glow-up today✨The Elk Shed
Purveyors of Southwest + Mountain Provisions, Goods & FineryThe PAC
Pickleball Addicts of Cloudcroft—Pickleball in the CloudsPeñasco Valley Telephone Cooperative
For all the ways you love to connectBre Hope Media
Professional photo and video servicesDiscover Cloudcroft
The local go-to guide
Subscribe for free to receive new posts directly to your inbox.
 | A guest post by
|