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Category: Front Page News Front Page News
Published: 16 May 2014 16 May 2014

In case you folks in Silver City are wondering where the smoke is coming from, this editor thinks it may be the Skunk Fire east of Globe, Arizona

The Skunk Fire has increased to 14,394 acres due to fire growth and back burns. The fire continues to grow in a north westerly and easterly direction over the rim and into Old Summit Mt. (ponderosa pine forest) at 7,400 ft elevation and backed southward to Ash Creek in oak woodlands and eastward into grasslands and chaparral at 5,600 ft elevation into Soldier Hole. Yesterday firefighters continued to make good progress along the south side of the fire.

Yesterday, the hotshots burned the southwest portion of the fire establishing control line. This provided in the protection of the ceremonial grounds and Ash Creek structures. An Engine is assigned to monitor and patrol the ceremonial grounds.

Today's plans are to hold the south side of the fire near Ash Creek. Division Alpha will be holding and monitoring the south west and southeast side below the rim. Alpha will be monitoring the fire as it descends into Soldier Hole. Division Foxtrot will monitor Road 1534, 1525 and 1532. Heavy equipment will tie Rd 1534 to Rd 1527. Crews will scout and monitor the fire with concerns and caution of weather conditions.

The National Weather Service forecast light winds becoming to northwest 8-12 mph becoming gusty in the afternoon at 25 mph. Ridges forecast is north winds 5-8 mph, with becoming west 12-16 mph with gusts at 25 mph in the afternoon. These conditions of hotter temperatures, unstable winds, dry fuels and low relative humidity could result in increased fire intensity and behavior.

Basic Information
Incident Type Wildfire
Cause Lightning
Date of Origin Saturday April 19, 2014 approx. 02:15 PM
Location San Carlos Apache Reservation
Incident Commander Ron Morrison Cwz Type 3
Current Situation
Total Personnel 120
Size 18,144 acres
Percent Contained 20%
Estimated Containment Date Friday May 23, 2014 approx. 10:00 AM
Fuels Involved Timber (litter and understory),grass, juniper & oak woodlands
Fire Behavior low to moderate
Significant Events Burnout operations on the NE side of the fire has been completed. Fire continues northwesterly direction.

Planned Actions
Resources continue to scout for control lines, hold, fire as needed, & monitor fire behavior.
Growth Potential Fire continues to grow but south end has been stopped.
Terrain Difficulty Steep Terrain with boulders
Remarks Control the fire at roads or natural barriers as conditions and fire activity permit. Manage fire for natural resource benefit.
Current Weather Wind Conditions 15-20 mph W
Temperature 76-91 degrees
Humidity 5-12%