QUEMADO, NM; May 23, 2016 - For Immediate Release - The lightning-caused Spur Fire on the Quemado Ranger District of the Gila National Forest has grown to approximately 27 acres. It was reported by the Eagle Peak Lookout Saturday, May 21. The Gila Las Cruces Zone Type 3 Incident Management Team has been ordered to manage the fire.

Forest officials have decided to manage this incident under a confine/contain strategy within an established area north of Reserve. This strategy means personnel will take actions to stop or redirect the fire as it approaches certain boundaries but take less restrictive actions as the fire moves south where it can be managed to reduce hazardous fuels and improve forest health. To date, firefighters have taken actions to keep the fire south of the 3020 Road.

Before making the decision to confine and contain this fire, many factors were taken into consideration such as the roads, trails and natural barriers that could be used to contain the fire and reducing exposure to firefighters. Other issues evaluated were the potential for the fire to spread over time, the location of the incident, previous fire history in the area, and cultural resource concerns.

Fire activity has been characterized as a surface fire burning in ponderosa pine and grass with flame lengths of less than one foot. Approximately 15 personnel are assigned to the incident.

Information is also posted on Inciweb http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/4746/