Location: between Blood Canyon and Brushy Mountain, Wilderness Ranger District, Gila National Forest

Start Date:  June 6, 2020               Size:  ~ 5,900 acres                          Cause: Lightning

Vegetation:  Pinyon Juniper

Resources:  eight smokejumpers, three 20-person Interagency Hotshot Crew, and a seven-person Wilderness District crew.

Objectives and Strategy: 

The main objective for managing this fire is to keep the fire south of Little Creek Drainage, which includes preventing the fire from spotting over the Little Creek drainage. The strategy is to use the trail system and natural barriers to limit spread which is part of the confine/containment.  The agency administrator and incident manager are working on a closure order that will include Trail #160 which comes out of the Gila Center, and Trail #161 at Little Creek.

Values on these fires include public and wildland fire safety, the NM Hwy 15 corridor, private inholdings and associated infrastructure, the cultural and tourism aspect of the Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument, the natural values of wilderness, wildlife habitat including the Gila trout, and to minimize the footprint and to have low intensity fire on the landscape.

Smoke from fire rises up and away during the daytime, but in the evenings, smoke can pool back down in canyons, drainages, and basins.  Overnight smoke from the Tadpole Fire has settled in the Mimbres Valley. For information on air quality and protecting your health, and to find guidance on distances and visibility, please visit https://nmtracking.org/fire. Fire information can be found at nmfireinfo.com.  Inciweb information:  https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6739/ and https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6740/.    

For information on the Gila National Forest, check out our website at https://www.fs.usda.gov/gila or join the conversation on Facebook and Twitter.

Good Fire

Location: in Blood Good Canyon, Wilderness Ranger District, Gila National Forest

Start Date:  June 6, 2020               Size:  ~ 800 acres                              Cause: Lightning

Vegetation:  Pinyon Juniper

Resources:  eight smokejumpers, one 20-person Interagency Hotshot Crew, and a seven-person Wilderness District crew.  

Turkey Fire

Location:  northeast of Brushy Mountain, Wilderness RD, Gila National Forest

Start Date: June 6, 2020                Size:  ~550 acres                               Cause:  Lightning

Vegetation:  Pinyon Juniper

Resources:   two 20-person Interagency Hotshot Crews  

Strategy: 

Good Fire strategy -The fire management organization is using direct and indirect tactics along trail # 160 and 161 to box in along the Little Creek drainage. The strategy is to use the trail system and natural barriers to limit spread which is part of the confine/containment.  Inciweb information:  https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6739/.

Turkey Fire strategy – The fire was a bit more active and had some growth due to being in a higher elevation. There has been success in protection spread to the south for protection of Little Creek.  Objectives include keeping the fire south of Little Creek and east of Turkey Creek Trail. Inciweb information:  https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6740/.

Values on these fires include public and wildland fire safety, the NM Hwy 15 corridor, private inholdings and associated infrastructure, the cultural and tourism aspect of the Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument, the natural values of wilderness, wildlife habitat including the Gila trout, and to minimize the footprint and to have low intensity fire on the landscape.

Smoke from fire rises up and away during the daytime, but in the evenings, smoke can pool back down in canyons, drainages, and basins.  Overnight smoke from the Tadpole Fire has settled in the Mimbres Valley. For information on air quality and protecting your health, and to find guidance on distances and visibility, please visit https://nmtracking.org/fire. Fire information can be found at nmfireinfo.com.  

For information on the Gila National Forest, check out our website at https://www.fs.usda.gov/gila or join the conversation on Facebook and Twitter.

Good Fire

Location: in Blood Good Canyon, Wilderness Ranger District, Gila National Forest

Start Date:  June 6, 2020       Size:  ~ 630 acres                  Cause: Lightning

Vegetation:  Pinyon Juniper

Resources:  eight smokejumpers

Turkey Fire

Location:  northeast of Brushy Mountain, Wilderness RD, Gila National Forest

Start Date: June 6, 2020        Size:  ~500 acres                   Cause:  Lightning

Vegetation:  Pinyon Juniper

Resources:   Lewis and Clark IHC

Strategy: 

Good Fire strategy includes direct and indirect line construction, hot spotting and cold trailing to minimize growth on the eastern flank of the fire. On the southern and western flanks fire will naturally move into drainages and continue to be a confine and containment strategy. Inciweb information:  https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6739/.

Turkey Fire strategy includes direct and indirect line construction, hot spotting, and cold trailing to minimize perimeter growth and the focus is to keep the fire south of Little Creek. Inciweb information:  https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6740/.

Smoke from fire rises up and away during the daytime, but in the evenings, smoke can pool back down in canyons, drainages, and basins.  Overnight smoke has settled in the Mimbres Valley. For information on air quality and protecting your health, and to find guidance on distances and visibility, please visit https://nmtracking.org/fire. Fire information can be found at nmfireinfo.com.  

For information on the Gila National Forest, check out our website at https://www.fs.usda.gov/gila or join the conversation on Facebook and Twitter.

Turkey Fire

Location:  northeast of Brushy Mountain, Wilderness RD

Start Date: June 6, 2020        Size:  ~27 acres                     Cause:  Lightning

Vegetation:  Pinyon Juniper

Resources:   eight smokejumpers and two helitack crew

Good Fire

Location: in Blood Good Canyon, Wilderness Ranger District, Catron County, NM

Start Date:  June 6, 2020       Size:  ~ 35 acres                    Cause: Lightning

Vegetation:  Pinyon Juniper

Summary:  The Turkey Fire and the Good Fire are burning on National Forest System Lands, on the Wilderness Ranger District, Gila National Forest.  The Good Fire is in steep, rugged and rocky terrain in the canyon and currently cannot be staffed due to safety concerns for the wildland firefighters. Objectives for both fires are to protect public and wildland firefighter safety. The strategy is full suppression, with confine and containment.

Smoke from fire rises up and away during the daytime, but in the evenings, smoke can pool back down in canyons, drainages, and basins.  Overnight smoke has settled in the Mimbres Valley. For information on air quality and protecting your health, and to find guidance on distances and visibility, please visit https://nmtracking.org/fire. Fire information can be found at nmfireinfo.com.

For information on the Gila National Forest, check out our website at https://www.fs.usda.gov/gila or join the conversation on Facebook and Twitter.

Location:  5 miles north of Pinos Altos, NM                                           Size:  ~ 11,159 acres

Start Date:  June 6, 2020                                                                               Cause:  Lightning             

Vegetation:  Trees and Brush                                                                      Containment: 75%

Incident Commander: E. Huerta, ICT4

Strategy/Summary:   The Tadpole Fire has not advanced in the last few days. Interior smokes are being monitored by fire crews. Crews continue to monitor fire lines and check for hotspots. NM Highway 15 was reopened on July 2.  This will be the final update on the fire unless the situation changes.

Safety:  A Closure Order is in place for public health and safety.  Gates are being installed at Sheep Corral Road and Trout Creek Road.  Do not go into the closure area there are post fire hazards. Tree roots and stumps are particularly dangerous. Their only evidence may be a thin layer of ash on the soil surface.  Unsuspecting visitors may step on one and end up with their foot and leg in a deep hole which can hold hot embers for weeks after the fire is out.  It is very easy to break an ankle or suffer a serious strain with a single misstep.

Weather: The National Weather Service is predicting hotter than normal weather patterns for the next 10 days. Monsoonal rains are projected to begin the third week of July.

Smoke:  With the onset of hotter, dryer weather smoke has again been visible near the private inholding and TX Mountain. Smoke from the fire rises up and away during the daytime, but in the evenings, smoke can pool back down in canyons, drainages, and basins.  For information on air quality and protecting your health, and to find guidance on distances and visibility, please visit https://nmtracking.org/fire. Fire information can be found at nmfireinfo.com.

Inciweb information:  https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6737/.

For information on the Gila National Forest, check out our website at: https://www.fs.usda.gov/gila or join the conversation on Facebook and Twitter.

 Tadpole Fire Update for July 4, 2020

 Tadpole Fire Update for July 1, 2020

Location of Origin: 12 miles north of Silver City
Start date: June, 6 2020,
Size: Approximately 11,089 acres
Percent Contained: 45‰
Cause: Lightning
Resources Assigned: 89 personnel
Fire Information number: 575-342-1536

SUMMARY

The Tadpole Fire, was ignited by lightning and reported on June 6. The fire increased by 100 acres yesterday to 11,089 acres and is 45% contained. The fire started on the southwest portion of Tadpole Ridge, on the Gila National Forest. The fire is burning in timber with grass understory, brush, and chaparral.

Crews continued with direct line opportunities in Wilson canyon to stop southern spread towards Bear creek. The fire continued to slowly back down into Wilson Creek. Aerial ignitions were used in Wilson Creek to moderate fire behavior in timber. The fire continues to slow or stop in rock barriers or light fuels. One crew was inserted on the west side of the fire to continue suppression actions as the fire backs into lighter fuels.

WEATHER

Generally dry conditions will continue through Friday with any thunderstorm remaining over the Blacks and eastward. Moisture returns tonight will likely not be as far west and recoveries not as good. Winds during the day will be westerly, but at night become light.

CLOSURES

The Gila National Forest has issued a closure order for the area encompassing the Tadpole Fire. The order remains in effect until August 30, 2020 or until rescinded. Additionally, NM Hwy15 will remain closed until further notice, refer to NM 511 for more information https://www.nmroads.com/mapIndex.html?.

For more information follow this link https://bit.ly/30PUxTr or visit the Gila National Forest website under Alerts and Notices.

AIR QUALITY

Residents of Grant County can expect to see continued smoke production over the Tadpole Fire today. Moderate smoke impacts may be observed in low lying areas overnight, including the areas of Bayard, Santa Clara, and Hurley, with periods of light to moderate smoke during the day. Additional smoke from other regional fires is impacting our local area.

Air quality monitoring stations are in place and are providing smoke data and an air quality summary. For localized smoke impacts visit Wildland Fire Air Quality Response Program https://bit.ly/3fzSqaE for real time smoke monitoring data and a daily smoke summary.

Please see the New Mexico Department of Health site also known as 5-3-1, https://nmtracking.org/fire for guidance on mitigating your smoke exposure. Smoke-sensitive individuals and people with respiratory problems are encouraged to take precautionary measures by staying inside during heavy smoke periods and avoiding outdoor activities.

SAFETY:

The Gila National Forest is currently under a campfire ban, thru, July 31, 2020 including the use of charcoal grills. Use of pressurized fuel devices with an on/off switch are permitted.

No fireworks are permitted on public lands at any time.

A temporary flight restriction is in place over the fire area. Wildfires are a No Drone Zone. For more information visit Know Before You Fly, http://knowbeforeyoufly.org.

Location of Origin: 12 miles north of Silver City
Start date: June, 6 2020,
Size: Approximately 10,896 acres
Percent Contained: 45‰
Cause: Lightning
Resources Assigned: 85 personnel
Fire Information number: 575-342-1536

SUMMARY

The Tadpole Fire, was ignited by lightning and reported on June 6. The fire increased by 210 acres yesterday to 10,896 acres and is 45% contained. The fire started on the southwest portion of Tadpole Ridge, on the Gila National Forest. The fire is burning in timber with grass understory, brush, and chaparral.

If the opportunity arises today, hand and aerial ignitions may occur to help a crew finish fireline along the western flank. In Wilson Canyon crews completed preparation along Bear Creek and a small handful of firefighters took direct action in Wilson Canyon to slow fire spread to the south. The fire continues to slow or stop in rock barriers or light fuels.

Local resources continue to manage the fire. Yesterday, crews patrolled and monitored NM Hwy 15 and Forest Road 282. The fire is slowing and stopping as it meets lighter fuels and rock barriers. The fire below TX along NM HWY 15 continues to stay on the ridge top as it crests the hill. The north end of the fire continues to cool and we are showing all of the fire along Sheep Corral Rd contained. Crews scouted Wilson Canyon for direct attack options as the fire narrows down into the canyon. In addition, they prepped Bear Creek for a contingency line from Ben Lilly to the next western mesa.

WEATHER

West winds across most of the area have brought in drier air. There will be a push of moisture back into the area overnight with relative humidity increasing throughout the day.

CLOSURES

The Gila National Forest has issued a closure order for the area encompassing the Tadpole Fire. The order remains in effect until August 30, 2020 or until rescinded. Additionally, NM Hwy15 will remain closed until further notice, refer to NM 511 for more information https://www.nmroads.com/mapIndex.html?.

For more information follow this link https://bit.ly/30PUxTr or visit the Gila National Forest website under Alerts and Notices.

AIR QUALITY

Residents of Grant County can expect to see continued smoke production over the Tadpole Fire today. Moderate smoke impacts may be observed in low lying areas overnight, including the areas of Bayard, Santa Clara, and Hurley, with periods of light to moderate smoke during the day. Additional smoke from other regional fires is impacting our local area.

Air quality monitoring stations are in place and are providing smoke data and an air quality summary. For localized smoke impacts visit Wildland Fire Air Quality Response Program https://bit.ly/3fzSqaE for real time smoke monitoring data and a daily smoke summary.

Please see the New Mexico Department of Health site also known as 5-3-1, https://nmtracking.org/fire for guidance on mitigating your smoke exposure. Smoke-sensitive individuals and people with respiratory problems are encouraged to take precautionary measures by staying inside during heavy smoke periods and avoiding outdoor activities.

SAFETY:

The Gila National Forest is currently under a campfire ban, thru, July 31, 2020 including the use of charcoal grills. Use of pressurized fuel devices with an on/off switch are permitted.

No fireworks are permitted on public lands at any time.

A temporary flight restriction is in place over the fire area. Wildfires are a No Drone Zone. For more information visit Know Before You Fly, http://knowbeforeyoufly.org.

Location of Origin: 12 miles north of Silver City
Start date: June, 6 2020,
Size: Approximately 10,686 acres
Percent Contained: 45‰
Cause: Lightning
Resources Assigned: 85 personnel
Fire Information number: 575-654-4181

SUMMARY

The Tadpole Fire, was ignited by lightning and reported on June 6. The fire increased by 410 acres yesterday to 10,686 acres and is 45% contained. The fire started on the southwest portion of Tadpole Ridge, on the Gila National Forest. The fire is burning in timber with grass under story, brush, and chaparral.

Local resources continue to manage the fire. Yesterday, crews patrolled and monitored NM Hwy 15 and Forest Road 282. The fire is slowing and stopping as it meets lighter fuels and rock barriers. The fire below TX along NM HWY 15 continues to stay on the ridge top as it crests the hill. The north end of the fire continues to cool and we are showing all of the fire along Sheep Corral Rd contained. Crews scouted Wilson Canyon for direct attack options as the fire narrows down into the canyon. In addition, they prepped Bear Creek for a contingency line from Ben Lilly to the next western mesa.

WEATHER

High pressure is building over the southwestern US today increasing relative humidity and overall moisture. There is a potential for a late afternoon isolated thunderstorms in the Tadpole Fire area. Temperatures continue to rise throughout the week leading to possible dry lighting strikes.

CLOSURES

The Gila National Forest has issued a closure order for the area encompassing the Tadpole Fire. The order remains in effect until August 30, 2020 or until rescinded. Additionally, NM Hwy15 will remain closed until further notice, refer to NM 511 for more information https://www.nmroads.com/mapIndex.html?.

For more information follow this link https://bit.ly/30PUxTr or visit the Gila National Forest website under Alerts and Notices.

AIR QUALITY

Residents of Grant County can expect to see continued smoke production over the Tadpole Fire today. Moderate smoke impacts may be observed in low lying areas overnight, including the areas of Bayard, Santa Clara, and Hurley, with periods of light to moderate smoke during the day. Additional smoke from other regional fires is impacting our local area.

Air quality monitoring stations are in place and are providing smoke data and an air quality summary. For localized smoke impacts visit Wildland Fire Air Quality Response Program https://bit.ly/3fzSqaE for real time smoke monitoring data and a daily smoke summary.

Please see the New Mexico Department of Health site also known as 5-3-1, https://nmtracking.org/fire for guidance on mitigating your smoke exposure. Smoke-sensitive individuals and people with respiratory problems are encouraged to take precautionary measures by staying inside during heavy smoke periods and avoiding outdoor activities.

SAFETY:

The Gila National Forest is currently under a campfire ban, thru, July 31, 2020 including the use of charcoal grills. Use of pressurized fuel devices with an on/off switch are permitted.

No fireworks are permitted on public lands at any time.

A temporary flight restriction is in place over the fire area. Wildfires are a No Drone Zone. For more information visit Know Before You Fly, http://knowbeforeyoufly.org.