C&TS runs despite fire danger

New Mexico is pretty paranoid about fire danger, and it's understandable after the disastrous fire around Los Alamos, and other fires.
At this point it is unlikely (we hope) that the C&TS will have to shut down. But we are putting extraordinary efforts into minimizing the fire risk. In addition to the water car on the Chama train, there are extra fire patrols following the train. I am told the ballast regulator is scraping the right of way clean of vegetation within the reach of its wings, and backhoes are removing brush from underneath and around bridges. If Ed can quickly repair the jordon spreader, it will also be pressed into service scraping vegetation further than the ballast regular can reach. Also ash pans are being checked to make them as tight as possible.
All this is taking substantial resources from other work, so it will slow rehabiliation of the railroad down.
Hopefully when the Monsoon rains start, things can get back to normal.