Single Publication

Ridge Fire increases to 9% containment 

Daily Update – Sunday, July 14, 2024

Acres: 2,966                                                                             

Start Date: 7/4/2024

Location: 19 miles east of Glenwood, NM                                 

Personnel: 345

Containment: 9%                                                                     

Fuels: Timber, grass, understory

Highlights: After several days of successful firefighting efforts on the western flank, containment has increased to 9% on the Ridge Fire. The fire is expected to burn at low intensities again today as conditions remain similar to previous days. 

Operations: Firefighters used uncrewed aerial systems (UAS), commonly known as drones, along with a helicopter to survey and update the fire perimeter yesterday. Crews on the ground monitored and held containment lines throughout the day along the northern and western flanks of the fire. Fire activity was mild yesterday, allowing crews to strategically introduce fire down slope towards Trail #151 along Iron Creek drainage. These actions resulted in favorable low intensity burning in this area to help remove excess vegetation between the containment lines and the main fire. Yesterday, heavy equipment operators began improving Forest Road 28 using graders and water tenders to strengthen containment lines and improve access for crews. Chipping operations began along the road leading into the Willow Creek subdivision to cut logs and branches into smaller wood chips. Today, crews will continue to use UAS on the northern flank to monitor fire activity along the ridge. On sections of the western and southern perimeter, firefighters will patrol handlines, cut standing dead trees, install water bars, and remove small shrubs and woody plants to prevent fire spread over the control lines. Grading and chipping operations will continue to reinforce containment lines on Forest Road 28. 

Weather: Dry and unseasonably warm temperatures will remain in place again today. A brief isolated shower or thunderstorm is possible in the vicinity of the fire during the afternoon or early evening. Moisture will be on the increase Monday, with scattered showers and thunderstorms expected, with temperatures only slightly cooler. Showers and thunderstorms will become more numerous Tuesday through Friday as monsoonal moisture returns.

Smoke: Smoke may be visible from Mogollon, Willow Creek, and Snow Lake. An interactive smoke map at https://fire.airnow.gov/ allows you to zoom into your area to see the latest smoke conditions. Smoke monitors are in place at the Glenwood Ranger Station, Cliff, and Gila Cliff Dwellings.

Closures: The Gila National Forest has issued an emergency temporary closure of trails and trail segments for the Ridge Fire. The purpose of the closure order is for the protection of firefighters and public health and safety during emergency wildfire suppression activities occurring in and around the trails. The full closure order (No. 03-06-05-24-002) and map are available on the Gila National Forest website at https://www.fs.usda.gov/gila.

Safety: The health and safety of firefighters and the public are always the first priority. A temporary flight restriction (TFR) is in place over the area, which includes uncrewed aircraft or drones. Flying drones near wildfires is dangerous for pilots and firefighters and can bring wildfire suppression efforts to a halt. Know before you fly. If you fly, we can’t. More information on the dangers drones pose to wildland firefighting aircraft and personnel on the ground can be found at: https://uas.nifc.gov/. 

More Information: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/nmgnf-ridge-fire / 

575-323-8994 / https://www.facebook.com/GilaNForest / 2024.ridge@firenet.gov