Reserve, NM; July 18, 2016 - The School Fire on the Reserve Ranger District will still produce smoke as logs and snags are consumed within the 7,315 acres. 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, which 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 interior pockets Sunday morning to meet management objectives. The existing roads which are now black-lined provides 80% containment and will continue to be used to monitor the perimeter. Planned actions for today include holding existing lines on the School Fire and working heavy equipment to improve forest road 119 for vehicle access to the Gilita Complex which is now mapped at 84 acres.

There are no campground or road closures due to fire activity. We ask that visitors drive with caution and their head lights due to thick smoke, heavy traffic, and fire personnel along the roadsides.

No additional news releases will be published unless a significant event occurs, for more information, please contact the Reserve Ranger District at 575-533-6231 for questions regarding these fires.