June 17 2012 Whitewater-Baldy Fire News Release
Incident: Whitewater Baldy Complex Wildfire
Released: 6/17/2012
Whitewater-Baldy Complex
News Release
National Incident Management Organization
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
Twitter: www.twitter.com/gilaforestPAO
Fire Facts:
Date Started: 05/16/2012
Number of Personnel: 303 including 2 hand crews and 4 camp crews
Cause: Lightning
Size: 290,630 acres (454 square miles)
Equipment: 4 engines, 6 Water Tenders, 1 Dozers
Percent Contained: 75
Aircraft: 5 Helicopters
Yesterday afternoon, the active part of the fire was in the southeast corner of the fire near Turkey Creek and Watson Canyon west of Juniper Spring. Half of the chipping along Road 141 between Hulse Ranch and Beaverhead Work Center was completed.
The relocation of several hundred Gila trout was completed.
Aircraft will continue to patrol the fire area today. Firefighters continue to prepare for the fire if it reaches Turkey Creek. Helicopters with buckets are ready to assist the firefighters. Hand crews will be chipping along Road 141 between Hulse Ranch and Beaverhead Work Center.
There will be a community meeting Monday, June 18 at 6 p.m. in the Glenwood Park. Fire managers will present a summery of suppression progress and Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER) assessments followed by reports by Catron County officials on emergency preparedness.
Firefighters appreciate the help given to them by people who are willing to do their part to reduce risk prior to a fire incident.
For additional information regarding the post fire-flood assessment go to the Whitewater-Baldy Complex BAER page at http://www.inciweb.org/incident/2900/.
KNOW BEFORE YOU GO: If you are planning to visit the Forest, Stage 1 Fire Restrictions are in effect. Additional closures are still 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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