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Category: Front Page News Front Page News
Published: 22 May 2017 22 May 2017

Location: Quemado Ranger District on the Gila National Forest

6 miles northeast of Quemado Lake

Catron County, New Mexico

Start Date: May 12, 2017

Size: 672 acres

Cause: Lightning

Vegetation: Ponderosa Pine, grass, and mixed conifer

Smoke: Smoke may be visible within the surrounding area of Quemado, Pie Town, Horse Springs, and Datil, NM

Resources: 1 Wildland Fire Module

Incident Commander: Felix Valdez IC4

Summary: The Baca Fire is burning on National Forest lands in rugged terrain. There are no immediate values at risk in the area. Values surrounding the fire include private property, Quemado Lake Recreation Area, range improvement infrastructure and mixed conifer vegetation. The objective is to confine and contain the fire within natural and manmade features, to limit exposure to fire personnel and the public. As the weather continues to dry out over the next few days, fire activity has begun to increase and smoke will become more visible from surrounding communities. Fire personnel will continue to monitor fire behavior and weather.

FR 13D and FR 323 are closed until a hazard assessment can be completed. Smoke-sensitive individuals and people with respiratory problems 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 website at https://nmtracking.org/fire.”

For information on the Gila National Forest, check out our website at http://www.fs.usda.gov/gila