Rocky Fire
Incident Start Date: July 8, 2019 Cause: Lightning
Acres: ~85 Containment: 0%
Vegetation: Ponderosa pine, mixed conifer, heavy dead/down on the ground
Strategy: Continue to scout Trail #741 and #74 to evaluate the necessity to prep and protect private property at Cooney and Terry Canyon.
Incident Commander: A. James, ICT3

South Fire

Incident Start Date: June 29, 2019 Cause: Lightning
Acres: ~2,330 Containment: 0%
Vegetation: Ponderosa pine, mixed conifer, heavy dead/down on the ground
Strategy: Monitor via lookouts and aerial reconnaissance
Incident Commander: A. James, ICT3

Summary: Helicopter reconnaissance shows that these naturally-ignited fires are doing good things for the land. They are exhibiting low to moderate fire behavior. These fires will enhance the land’s ability to support the natural role of fire. The fire management officers will continue to look at management opportunities to direct the fire around values we want to protect.

Smoke from fire rises during the daytime, but in the evening can pool 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. Smoke monitors are set up at the Gila Center, in Winston and Mimbres. Live tracking can be found at https://app.airsis.com/USFS/UnitMap for smoke monitor units USFS1054, USFS1035, and USFS1036. Fire information can be found at NM Fire Info and Inciweb.

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