Ridge Fire burns in northern Gila Wilderness
MIMBRES, NM, July 5, 2024 - The Gila National Forest is responding to a new lightning-caused wildfire along the northern edge of the Gila Wilderness, about 19 miles northeast of Glenwood, New Mexico. The 55-acre Ridge Fire is burning in the 2012 Whitewater Baldy Fire scar on Iron Creek Mesa, east of Willow Creek Campground.
"The Ridge Fire is burning in a patch of snags created by the 2006 Bear Fire, where it is not safe to place firefighters for direct control measures," said Wilderness District Ranger Brian Stultz. "Firefighters will utilize existing trails and natural features to confine and contain the fire on Iron Creek Mesa."
A variety of tactics will be used to keep the fire within an area of approximately 7,000 acres south of Gilita Creek, west of the Middle Fork Gila River, north of Middle Fork Trail #151, and east of an unnamed ridge above (east of) Willow Creek Campground. This may include using hand tools to eliminate fuels along planned perimeters, hand ignitions, and other suppression tactics as changing conditions require to protect values at risk and bring low- to moderate-intensity fire out to control features and establish containment.
Smoke will be visible from Mogollon, Willow Creek, and Snow Lake, and is likely to settle into low lying areas during overnight and early morning hours. When smoke impacts are present, New Mexico Department of Health recommends that smoke sensitive individuals should reduce physical activity and stay indoors with windows and doors closed. For those who are unable to avoid smoke exposure, use of a particulate respirator mask can help. Additional air quality information and health protection measures are posted online at NM-Tracking - Fires, Smoke and Health. Real-time mapping of smoke and other air quality impacts is available at https://fire.airnow.gov/. For more information contact Maribeth Pecotte at 575-388-8211 orÂ
