Firefighters battle two wildfires in Gila National Forest
Hot, dry temperatures and extreme drought conditions caused two wildfires burning in the Gila National Forest to grow prompting changes to evacuation levels on June 17.
The Trout grew to 24,706 acres; the Buck fires to 57,736 acres. The Buck fire, which began June 11 southeast of Aragon, is 15% contained, while the Trout Fire remains uncontained.
The Trout fire, 12 miles north of Silver City, has not resulted in the loss of any structures, but evacuations have increased to GO (Level 3) in zones 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 and SET (Level 2) in zones 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12. Additional evacuation areas will be identified as conditions change. An interactive evacuation map is available through the Southwest Area Incident Management Team website.
"Crews are bracing for increased fire activity, and the public should expect the potential for additional changes to evacuation status," a report from the Southwest Area Incident Management Team read.
Gusty and erratic winds and lightning will be a concern for the Buck Fire's growth. Temperatures in the 90s with extremely low humidity and wind gusts up to 35 mph will fuel the Trout Fire, according to the Southwest Area Incident Management Team.
Red Flag Warnings are in effect June 17 from noon to 9 p.m. in the Buck Fire area and through June 18 in the Trout Fire area.
Crews worked late into the evening of June 16 along the Shaw Canyon access road on the northeast corner of the fire to limit eastern spread, according to a Southwest Area Incident Management Team report. Night resources remained on the incident to monitor for hotspots and potential growth along existing containment lines. Fire personnel also continued scouting for potential control features in the north and northwest areas, while additional crews were mobilized in support of future operations, the report read.
'We'd like to thank the community for your continued support," Incident Commander Lino Baca said. "The team is working diligently to limit fire growth while minimizing impacts to grazing areas by keeping the fire footprint as small as possible. With fuels advisories in effect and limited resources available in the event of an emergency, firefighter and public safety remains our highest priority.'
Firefighters are focusing on line preparation ahead of expected fire weather and working to strengthen and secure existing control lines to help limit the spread of the fire on June 17. An increase in acreage was reported due to more accurate mapping June 16, and fire managers were confidently able to add some containment to parts of the fire, the incident management team report read.
Members of the public should avoid the Buck Fire area. Unmanned aircraft, such as drones, pose a risk to firefighting operations and can cause air operations to cease, according to the incident management team.
The public should avoid driving on New Mexico 163 within the fire area. The Continental Divide Trail (CDT) has issued a soft closure to discourage any hikers from hiking through the fire area due to public safety and accountability.
Smoke may be visible from Highway 12 southeast of the community of Aragon and southwest of Highway 60. Smoke-sensitive individuals and people with respiratory problems or heart disease are encouraged to take precautionary measures. Information on air quality and protecting your health can be found online at the New Mexico Department of Health (NMDOH) Environmental Public Health Tracking (EPHT) website.
The Trout Fire remained active on June 16, particularly on the east and south flanks. Overnight, crews conducted firing operations to protect property and hold established firelines, according to a Southwest Area Incident Management Team report. Additional personnel and resources arrived to boost suppression efforts and support both day and nighttime shifts. Firefighters are working in round-the-clock rotations to stay ahead of changing conditions, the report read.
Firefighters would conduct firing operations on the north and west sides of the fire, build direct handlines along the fire's edge, reinforce dozer lines and identify roads and natural features to serve as control lines on June 17, the incident management team report read. These tactics are used to reduce fuels and create buffers that help protect infrastructure, homes and other values at risk. Firefighting resources are seeking opportunities to prevent additional growth along the south edge of the fire.
Aerial resources would assist with water and retardant drops as conditions allow on June 17, but increasing wind and ongoing Red Flag Warnings may limit aircraft use for safety. Crews are continuing to reinforce the progress made on June 16 by removing unburned fuels between control lines and the fire when it is safe to do so, according to the Southwest Area Incident Management Team report.
This article originally appeared on Las Cruces Sun-News: Gila National Forest wildfires continue to grow
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