Fencing, go-carts damaged in fire at St. Bernard Farms

Plans for a new go-kart attraction at the recreational business St. Bernard Farms went up in smoke Monday. A wind-driven grass fire burned an estimated 15 to 20 acres, destroying cedar fencing, lighting, signage and the go-carts.

Owner Rocky Bernard said the farm sustained about $50,000 in damages.

Good news, he said, was the flames never reached the farm fields, so they will be able to provide corn mazes and pumpkin patches this fall as usual.

However, he said Monday’s fire left him reminiscing of past incidents.

“I’m bummed, you know? It just reminded me of all the damage that happened at the light show,” Bernard said.

Bernard’s Glitter and Glow Light Show on U.S. 70 between Clovis and Portales sustained heavy damage in the spring of 2022. That grass fire damaged 1,000 acres of grassland, the former Blackwater Draw Museum, and outbuildings in the area as well as the grounds of the light show.

Bernard said Monday’s fire wasn’t as bad as the one in 2022.

Bernard said he received word about Monday’s fire from a local resident who had contacted the fire department as well. He said he didn’t know the individual personally, but appreciated how the community looked out for him.

Clovis Fire Department Battalion Chief John Bradley said the ignition source for the blaze is under investigation.

The fire was driven by winds gusting over 40 mph. Officials said 26 firefighters responded to the scene when the fire was reported at 1:24 p.m. Bradley said it took nearly two hours for 15 to 20 fire trucks to put out the flames.

Helping the Clovis Fire Department were departments from Texico, Broadview, Pleasant Hill, Grady and Ranchvale.

Bradley said the entire state of New Mexico this week is under a fire weather warning, meaning increased chances for grass fires.

“We’re under a high wind warning and a red flag warning for fire. … Your red flag warnings are going to be warm temperatures with very low humidity and strong winds,” Bradley said.

Bernard said it should only take a couple of days to clean up the debris and ash from Monday’s damage, but the go-kart plans have been scrapped.