Buzzard Fire Update for 6/18/2018

Release Date: Jun 18, 2018

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Command of Buzzard Fire Transfers to Local Type 3 Team on Wednesday

June 18, 2018 Daily Update

This will be the last update from the Gila Las Cruces Type 3 Team

 

Acres: 47,370                                                                Start Date: May 22, 2018

Cause: Human-caused                                                   Location: 10 miles NE of Reserve, NM (Gila NF)                           

Containment: 82%                                                        Fuels: Timber (litter, grass and understory)  

Total Personnel: 212                                                                

 

General Information: Even though recent rains dampened much of the fire over the last few days, a few pockets of heat were observed in Kiehne and Perry Canyons.  Firefighters will monitor these areas and look for opportunities to secure the fire’s edge. Crews continue to patrol control lines for hot spots, look for opportunities to secure the fire and mop up in the southwest portion.  Fire suppression repair and rehabilitation continues along control lines.  The Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER) Team will begin emergency treatments to protect life, property, natural and cultural resources.  Initial attack crews will respond to new fire starts.  Wednesday, a transfer of command and transition from Incident Commander Ricky Cox to Incident Commander Scott Jones will occur.  Local resources will work with Incident Commander Jones.

Fire Operations:  Today, the BAER team will begin projects such as removing debris (logs, brush, and excess soil) from roadside ditches, culverts and water diversion ditches on roads within and surrounding the fire.  Additionally, stream channels will be cleared of woody debris.  These treatments will allow for the free flow of water runoff after heavy rain storms and reduce the chances of erosion and downstream flooding.   The fire suppression repair and rehabilitation crews will continue to work with two rubber-tired skidders, an excavator, and a dozer to construct water bars and pull material over control lines to aid in revegetation on the southeast side.  On the southwest portion, crews will implement control line rehabilitation needs over the next few days.   Initial attack crews will patrol and respond to new fire starts as they occur. 

Fire Safety Awareness:  Stage 2 Fire Restrictions remain in place even though the forest has received rain.  Rain has been spotty and not consistent over the forest to warrant lifting fire restrictions. Fire Danger is still rated as EXTREME on the Gila National Forest.

Fire Weather:  A warming, and drying trend will dominate the weather this week. Temperatures in the mid 80’s are expected, with minimum relative humidity being between 8-10%.   Zero changes of rain throughout the week.  Winds will be light and breezy.

Closures: The area around the fire remains closed for public safety until lifted by the Gila National Forest. Roadblocks have been set up by local law enforcement. In support of this closure, the Continental Divide Trail has been rerouted around the fire closures. The trail reroute map is available at https://bit.ly/2GRESFw. More closure information is available at https://bit.ly/2LvwKhN. For information on Stage 2 Fire Restrictions, please visit https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/gila/alerts-notices/?aid=46143.

Fire Information Links: Fire information can be found at nmfireinfo.com and http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/5814/.  For information on the Gila National Forest, please visit http://www.fs.usda.gov/gila.

 

InciWeb: http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/5814/                         Facebook: www.facebook.com/GilaNForest/

Twitter: @GilaNForest                                                                  Email: buzzardfireinfo2018@gmail.com