Reserve, NM; July 17, 2016 - The School Fire on the Reserve Ranger District remains active burning within the management perimeter; with 70% containment. The fire was started by lightning on July 8, 2016 near the junction of Snow Lake and Willow Creek along Forest Road 28 (Bursum Road) and County Road CAT-CO21 (Snow Lake Road), about 50 miles southeast of Reserve, NM. Multiple objectives are being met at this time with the School Fire. These include consuming a fair amount of dead standing snags and logs within the fire perimeter. This will provide for safer access in the future, reduce hazardous fuels, improve rangeland health and prepare the site for reforestation at a later date.

Crews were able to utilize hand fire operations on the southern boundary on Saturday to secure the fire perimeter successfully. The existing roads, which are now blacked lined, will assist in monitoring fire behavior, which remains at low intensity with flames of one foot or less. Planned actions for today include holding existing lines and monitoring interior consumption from yesterdayG