MIMBRES, NM; May 7, 2016 - Fire lookouts on the Gila National Forest reported a lightning-caused wildfire Friday, May 6. It is called the McKenna Fire, located in the Gila Wilderness approximately ten miles west of the Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument. The McKenna Fire is estimated at 400 acres.

Wilderness Ranger District officials flew the fire Saturday morning, evaluating the likely growth of the fire over time and potential areas of concern. They assessed many factors including firefighter safety and access into the fire area, its location in proximity to the 2011 Miller and 2012 Whitewater-Baldy fire scars, current and forecast weather and the low to moderate spread rate before deciding to manage the incident for multiple objectives. These objectives will reduce exposure to firefighters, help remove hazardous fuels and decrease the probability for high severity wildfires in the future.

GǣExcluding fire from its role in the ecosystem has resulted in overgrown forests that are more dangerous to manage and more prone to large wildfires, disease and insects. Managing this fire for multiple objectives can result in clearing forest debris, removing ladder fuels that can carry fire into tops of trees, and a healthier more resilient forest,Gǥ said Rachelle Huddleston-Lorton, Wilderness District Ranger.

Observed fire activity from todayG