Aerial Mulching and Channel Clearing Complete PECOS, NM – Aerial mulching operations are complete on the Tres Lagunas fire. Approximately 518 tons of straw was dropped by helicopter over 512 acres. This operation involved 29.5 flight hours over the course of 4.5 days. Mulched was dropped on 99 acres in Davis Creek, 295 acres above Tres Lagunas, and 118 acres at the head of Soldier Creek. These are the areas with the highest burn severity. The straw mulch was applied over areas that were previously seeded to hold moisture in place, which aids in seed sprouting and slows water flow. In addition to providing forest regrowth, the treatments will also help reduce rain runoff. The removal of debris from Holy Ghost canyon is complete. Contractors have been working since July 25 to clear a large volume of mud, rocks, and trees that created blockages throughout Holy Ghost Creek and on the road. There was also a tributary in Holy Ghost Canyon that had to be realigned. Flooding will be a...