Start Date: June 21, 2018
Location: 4 miles north of Saliz Pass (Gila NF)
Acres: ~400
Fuels: Timber (litter, grass and understory)
Cause: Under Investigation
Containment: 0
Total Personnel: 170

General Information: On Thursday, June 21 a structure fire was reported northeast of Saliz Pass. The fire crossed US Highway 180 and impacted a Navopache Electric Power line and was threatening the Tucson Electric transmission line.

Fire Operations: Immediate response by engines, crews and air resources engaged in a full suppression strategy. Retardant was effective in checking fire spread towards the Tucson Electric Power (TEP) line. Navopache Electric line was impacted by the fire and resulted in power outages in Glenwood, NM. Crews were successful in anchoring on the east side of US Hwy 180, and nighttime firing operations occurred along US Hwy 180 to Cottonwood Campground. Navopache Electric Cooperative is assessing damage caused by the fire and have equipment on site to repair damaged infrastructure. Timeframes are yet to be determined when power will be re-established.

Today's operational activities include constructing line from Cottonwood Campground west towards TEP powerline to secure fire perimeter, patrol and secure control line along HWY 180 south of Cottonwood Campground, provide structure protection along Highway 180 corridor.

Highway 180 is open, however delays may occur throughout the day due to fire activity from Saliz Pass to Pueblo Park road. New Mexico State Police and Catron County Sheriff personnel are providing piloting for through traffic when safe to do so.

Fire Safety/Closures: The Gila National Forest is in Stage 1 Fire Restrictions. Fire Danger is still rated as VERY HIGH.

Fire Information: Fire information can be found at https://nmfireinfo.com/ and on Inciweb at https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/5861/. For information on the Gila National Forest, please visit http://www.fs.usda.gov/gila.