Location: South of Grapevine Campground, west of NM Highway15, Wilderness Ranger Dis
Start Date: April 5, 2019
Cause: Probable human-caused
Vegetation: Riparian area with cottonwood, ponderosa pine and pinon juniper
Resources: Silver City Hotshots, Type 2 helicopter, district fire crew
Size: 10 acres
Containment: 0%
Incident Commander: V. Alcorta, ICT4
Summary: The Alum Fire, is burning on National Forest System lands, on the Wilderness Ranger District in Grant County, NM. It is located just south of the Grapevine Campground, and west of NM Hwy 15, within the boundaries of the Gila Wilderness.
Helicopter survey has verified the fire at an estimated 10 acres and on both sides of the river. This fire is burning deep in the river corridor with extremely steep terrain and no safe access for wildland firefighters. The strategy remains full suppression which will be accomplished by containing and confining the fire to the area. Fire management officials will continue to manage suppression activities as the week progresses and the weather is predicted for getting hotter, drier and windier. District fire personnel will monitor but will not directly engage the fire due to safety concerns.
Smoke from fire rises up and away during the daytime, but in the evening smoke can pool back down in canyons, drainages, and basins. This fire is within the Gila River corridor and smoke impacts are expected to be minimal, but some heavy fuels are down and burning and smoke will continue. 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 www.nmfireinfo.com .
District Ranger Rachelle Huddleston Lorton asks the public to please notify the ranger district if you have any concerns or questions about smoke impact. The Forest wishes to remind the public that all campfires need to be extinguished dead out. Do not leave your campfires unattended and do not leave until it is cool to the touch.
For information on the Gila National Forest, check out our website at http://www.fs.usda.gov/gila