EMNRD-FORESTRY DIVISION

Incident Name: Commissary Fire

Commissary Fire Update: June 22, 2015; 2:00 P.M. "Firing Operations Begin Today"

Start Date: June 5, 2015 Percent Contained: 0
Size: 222 acres Growth Potential: Moderate
Vegetation: Ponderosa pine, aspen, mixed conifer, grass and brush

Summary: Fire managers on the lightning-caused Commissary Fire on the Pecos/Las Vegas Ranger District are taking advantage of favorable conditions over the next few days to continue to manage the fire for resource objectives.

Crews are conducting firing operations with hand ignitions on approximately 100 acres to solidify the western boundary of the 3,600-acre planned area. This tactic allows fire managers to determine how and where the fire moves across the landscape.

Ventilation conditions today are good, sending smoke higher into the atmosphere and reducing the amount of smoke close to the ground. As fire activity increases, however, smoke will be visible from I-25 and surrounding communities.

Resources currently assigned to the fire include Carson and Santa Fe National Forest crews.

Light precipitation yesterday in the area did not affect fire activity; however, gusty outflow winds did increase smoke output.

Road Advisories: Public traffic is highly discouraged on Forest Roads 83 and 66 due to heavy firefighter traffic and narrow road conditions. Caution is also advised while driving from lower Colonias north on Forest Road 83.

Weather: Sunny in the morning, then partly cloudy with a slight chance of showers in the afternoon, with a predicted relative humidity at 17-22% and a 20% chance of precipitation.