SOUTHWEST INCIDENT
MANAGEMENT TEAM #5

Rich Nieto- Incident Commander

Information for this fire, including maps and photos, can be found at: http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/3401 and http://nmfireinfo.com

Acres: 5,740 Cause: Human Start Date: May 11, 2014
Containment: 15% Location: 10 miles north of Silver City, NM Fuels: Timber, grass, understory
Total personnel: 573 Terrain: mountainous with deep drainages Structures Lost: 0
Equipment: 5 helicopters, 18 engines, 1 dozer

Monday's Actions: Aerially applied fire retardant was used on all flanks of the fire. An anchor point (point from which fire line construction can begin) was established at the junction of Highway 15 and Forest Road 154 (Signal Peak Road).
Management of the Signal Fire was transferred from the New Mexico Type 3 Team to the Southwest Incident Management Team 5 at 6 PM, May 12, 2014.

Tuesday's Actions: Strategy for this fire is full suppression. On the northwest corner, firefighters continued to mop up. On the north side, crews strengthened existing fire lines and a dozer opened up old roads to create new containment line. Line construction continued on the northeast and east flank around Skates Canyon. Crews reinforced existing containment lines and built new line on the south side. The structure protection group completed a burnout operation between private land and the fire on the south flank.

Wednesday's Actions: Crews will continue to build lines on the northeast and east sides in preparation for burnout operations. Mop up and patrol will continue on the southwest flank.

Weather: Due to the cooler and more stable weather crews were able to make significant progress on the fire today. Temperatures are expected to gradually increase over the next few days. Critical fire weather conditions are possible over the weekend and into next week.

State Highway 15 will be reopened to the public at 8 AM tomorrow

A public meeting will be held at 6 PM tomorrow, at a location to be announced by noon.

Smoke: Information on wildland fire smoke and your health can be found on the New Mexico Department of Health's website at https://nmtracking.org/fire.