Location: 6 miles east of Mogollon, NM, Glenwood Ranger District, Gila National Forest

Start Date: June 10, 2018

Cause: Lightning

Vegetation: Heavy logging slash, dead and down from 2012 Whitewater-Baldy Complex

Resources: One Type 3 helicopter, one Initial Attack crew

Size: ~ 400 acres

Containment: 0%

Incident Commander: J. Hammer, ICT3, M. Cornwell, ICT3tGeneral Information: The Willow Fire, is burning on National Forest System lands, on Glenwood Ranger District in Catron County, NM. It is about 400 yards above Crest Trail #182 where it benches into a saddle, therefore Crest Trail #182 will be closed from Sandy Point to Trail #172 for public health and safety.

Fire Operations: The fire is burning fairly hot in heavy timber and spotting. Crews are assessing Willow Creek Subdivision, Indian Creek Cabins and the Bearwallow Lookout for structure protection needs. With fire fighter safety being first priority, fire management officials have determined that an indirect strategy with point protection tactics is the best strategy for this fire. Values at risk are the Indian Creek cabins, the Bearwallow Lookout, and the Willow Creek subdivision.

Closures: The Gila National Forest has implemented a temporary closure order (Forest Order 06-18-009) for public health and safety. We ask that the public respect the closure order for their safety and the safety of firefighting crews working in the area. NM Hwy 159 is closed at mile post 12 into Willow Creek. https://nmroads.com/mapIndex.html? 

Smoke from fire rises up and away during the daytime, but in the evening 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 and on Inciweb at https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/5838/ 

Fire Information: (575) 388-8211 Office Hours: 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
InciWeb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/5838/