5.29.2012 Whitewater-Baldy Fire Update 9:30pm
Incident: Whitewater Baldy Complex Wildfire
Released: 5/29/2012
For Immediate Release: May 29, 2012 9:00 p.m.
Whitewater-Baldy Complex Update
Southwest Area Type 1 Incident Management Team
Incident Commander: Tony Sciacca
Fire Information: 575-533-6901, 575-533-6053 (Daily from 7:30 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.)
Email: whitewaterfire@gmail.com
Website: http://inciweb.org/incident/2870/
Flickr (photos and maps): http://www.flickr.com/photos/gilaforest
Fire Facts:
Date Started: 05/16/2012
Number of Personnel: 1,112 personnel including
Location: Approximately 15 miles E of Glenwood, NM
14 hotshot crews, 13 hand crews
Cause: Lightning
Equipment: 49 Engines, 23 Water Tenders, 7 Dozers
Size: 152,012 acres
Aircraft: 9 Helicopters
Percent Contained: 0
Injuries to Date: Five
General Information/Announcements:
With the hotter and drier weather, fire activity increased today throughout the fire perimeter. A 20-acre spot fire occurred across Forest Road 141 on the northern part of the fire. Firefighters, engines, a dozer, and two air tankers quickly responded and prevented further spread.
Aerial ignitions were used when fire established itself in drainages and began running up slope. This tactic slowed the rate of fire advancement in areas where fire had the potential to make a major run.
Communities surrounding the fire area could expect smoke to linger at night and in the morning. Cold air that sets in after sundown will push warm air to the surface trapping smoke closer to the ground.
Senator Jeff Bingaman visited the Whitewater Baldy Complex today and was given a fire update by Incident Management Team (IMT) and Forest Service personnel. The IMT and the Forest Service also hosted a public meeting in Glenwood that was well attended.
Closures/Advisories:
Forest Road 141 at the old sawmill
Forest Road 28 at Forest Road 94 junction (Collins Park)
State Route 159 at Whitewater Mesa
Forest Road 150 and Forest Road 142 junction (Beaverhead Work Center)
The Gila National Forest closed the Catwalk National Recreation Trail until further notice. Please visit the Gila National Forest Website at www.fs.usda.gov/gila for further details on this closure.
Before a wildfire approaches your home, evacuate your pets and all family members who are not essential to preparing the home. Anyone with medical or physical limitations and the young and elderly should be evacuated immediately. Remember the "P's of Evacuation"; People, Pets, Prescriptions, Papers, Pictures and Personal Computer. Refer to http://www.wildlandfirersg.org/ and http://www.nmfireinfo.com/ for additional information on emergency evacuations. Also, go to http://www.firewise.org/ and follow the link to homeowners to find interactive modules, videos, games and quizzes to learn about how wildfires behave and what you can do to make your home safer.
Results of Today's Planned Activities:
Crews were successful in protecting the communities of Mogollon, Willow Creek and other private ranches and homes. Burnout operations introduced low intensity fire that is taking the steam out of the main fire.
Public Safety Message:
Temperatures continue rising and humidities are dropping in southwest New Mexico. Everyone is advised to take all necessary precautions when spending any time outdoors. This includes sunscreen and hydration. See http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/outdoor spot/ for outdoor safety tips.
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