New Mexico State Forestry

Incident Name and Update: Commissary Fire Update of 6-18-2015 1100 AM

Start Date & Time: June 5, 2015, reported on Saturday, June 6, 2016

Start Location: Pecos/Las Vegas Ranger District of the Santa Fe National Forest

· Approximately 13 miles east of Pecos and 2 miles south of Barillas Peak

Size: Approximately 170 acres

Percent Contained: 0%

Cause: Lightning

Personnel Assigned: 160

Vegetation: Ponderosa pine, aspen, mixed conifer, grass and brush

Growth Potential: Low

Summary: The Commissary Fire on the Pecos/Las Vegas Ranger District continues to burn naturally. The fire is holding at 170 acres and is continuing to burn in the heavier logs. With drier weather moving in, expect an increase in visible smoke.

The Northern New Mexico Type 3 Incident Management Team (NNMT3IMT) assumed management of the Commissary fire this morning. The Type 3 Team brings skilled and mobile personnel to assist with the management of wildland fire.

Fire managers are monitoring and managing the fire as a tool to meet multiple resource objectives while preparations continue. Wood chippers, a bulldozer and a masticator are supporting the crews as they continue to concentrate on building and strengthening the planned area boundary along Forest Road 83.

Fire crews are using a two-pronged approach on the Commissary Fire - suppressing it in certain areas to protect values such as the Barillas Fire Lookout Tower and managing it for resource benefit in other areas. Resource objectives for managed fire include improving wildlife and range habitat, encouraging regeneration of aspen, and improving watershed and overall forest health. Weather conditions, predicted fire behavior, and personnel resources must be aligned to meet these fire objectives.

Road Advisories: People are asked to use caution while driving from lower Colonias north on Forest Road 83 due to an increase in fire vehicle traffic.

Structures Threatened: None

Weather: Partly cloudy with a 10-30% chance of precipitation throughout the day. A warming and drying trend is still expected through the weekend.

Resources Assigned:
Firefighters: Seven crews (Six Type 1 Hotshot crews, one Type 2 hand crew, and various other firefighting and support personnel)
Heavy equipment: One Type 2 bulldozer, two chippers and one masticator.