Firefighters on the Pinon and Moore fires reported slower growth Tuesday and much less smoke than previous days. The 3,200-acre Pinon Fire is located 13 miles east of Reserve, NM on the Reserve Ranger District with 40 personnel on scene. The 4,000-acre Moore Fire is located in the Gila Wilderness on the Wilderness Ranger District with 85 personnel on the incident.
The lightning-caused wildfires are being used to remove hazardous fuels, improve wildlife habitat and return fire to the ecosystem. Firefighters assigned to the Pinon and Moore fires continue to take various management actions on these incidents to maintain fire progression within pre-determined areas on the Gila National Forest.
“People will notice the results very soon from these fires,” said Dave Warnack, Acting Forest Supervisor. “In the short-term, the fires have burned in a mosaic pattern across the forest, clearing forest debris and removing ladder fuels that can carry fire into the tops of trees. As the monsoons return, there will be an increase in forage for wildlife and livestock. In the longer-term, the forest will be healthier and more resistant to disease and severe wildfire.”
Fire managers are coordinating with the New Mexico Environment Department Air Quality Bureau to monitor smoke impacts during the management of these incidents. In addition, Gila National Forest personnel have installed smoke monitoring equipment in Mimbres, NM to track air quality during the management of the Moore Fire. Information can be found at http://app.airsis.com/USFS/Chart_new.asp?Get=4&UnitID=1054&CustID=2&sDate=6-24-2015.
There are no closures associated with these wildfires, although Continental Divide Trail users are advisedof fire activity on the south end of the Pinon Fire at County Road B054 (commonly known as Y Canyon Rd.) and Forest Road (FR) 4047, west of Ghost Lake and on the north at FR 3070 (or Long Canyon Rd) and FS 94 (or 5 Springs Divide). The alternate route is FR 94. Gila National Forest officials remind travelers to drive with caution on roads near the fire areas.
Information from US Forest Service