Location:Reserve Ranger District on the Gila National Forest

John Kerr Peak, 17 miles northeast of Reserve
Catron County, New Mexico
Start Date: May 1, 2017 Size: 150 acres Cause: Lightning

Vegetation: Ponderosa Pine, Gamble Oak, Pinon/Juniper

Smoke: Smoke may be visible within the surrounding area of Apache Creek, Cruzville, Aragon, and Reserve, NM

Resources: 3 engines, Gila Hotshots Incident Commander: Joe Aragon, IC-4

Summary: The Kerr Fire is burning on National Forest lands. Values at risk include Continental Divide trail which is located east of the fire, range improvement infrastructure and Mexican Spotted Owl habitat. CDT hikers in the area are advised to check in with the Reserve Ranger District office at 575.533.6232 for alternate routes in order to avoid fire activity. Maps of alternative routes are available at the district office and on the Gila NF website.

Resources prepped fence lines and FR 289 north of FR4037N. Firing operations along the ridgetop will be initiated this evening north of FR4037N within the SW1/4 of Section 3 to allow fire to back off of the slope towards FR 289. This operation will provide a buffer to mitigate fire from impacting FR289 and to keep fire east of the road. The southern flank was monitored as the fire backed down the slope. Little fire spread occurred on this side. This fire is reducing the fuel load and helping with restoring healthy regrowth and watershed restoration.

For information on the Gila National Forest, check out our website at http://www.fs.usda.gov/gila