May 31 News Release 8 AM
Incident: Whitewater Baldy Complex Wildfire
Released: 5/31/2012
For Immediate Release: May 31, 2012, 8:00 a.m.
Whitewater-Baldy Complex Update
Southwest Area Type 1 Incident Management Team
Incident Commander: Tony Sciacca
Media Line: 575-533-6901
Email: whitewaterfire@gmail.com
Website: http://inciweb.org/incident/2870/
Flickr (photos and maps): http://www.flickr.com/photos/gilaforest
Twitter: www.twitter.com/SWIMT1 and www.twitter.com/gilaforestPAO
Fire Facts:
Date Started: 05/16/2012
Number of Personnel: 1,246 personnel including
Location: Approximately 15 miles E of Glenwood, NM
17 hotshot crews, 11 hand crews
Cause: Lightning
Equipment: 59 Engines, 27 Water Tenders, 7 Dozers
Size: 190,262 acres
Aircraft: 10 Helicopters
Percent Contained: 5
Injuries to Date: Five
The fire remains active around and inside the fire. Burnout operations primarily around the north and west flanks of the fire continue so firefighters can create a larger fire break around the fire. Structure protection in Mogollon, Willow Creek, ranches and homes, are continually being patrolled by firefighters. You may see columns of smoke as the fire hits timber on the western edge. Weather conditions are improving with higher humidity levels which will reduce active fire behavior.
Some areas may experience periods of air quality which are unhealthy for sensitive groups (those with asthma, lung or heart disease, children, older adults and recent science indicates pregnant women). Low lying areas close to ongoing fire activity may experience periods with visibility of 1.5 - 2.5 miles, which is indicative of air that is unhealthy for all groups. If heavy smoke is present, then outdoor activities should be minimized where possible and caution observed when driving in reduced visibility. For additional information go to: http://inciweb.org/incident/article/2870/14038/.
Closures are in effect in several areas; please go to the Gila National Forest website at www.fs.usda.gov/gila for current information, or contact the Forest directly at 575-388-8201.
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