Location: 17 miles northeast of Reserve, New Mexico

Start Date: May 1, 2017 Size: 2,665 acres

Contained: 17% Cause: Lightning

Vegetation: Ponderosa Pine, Gamble Oak, Pinon/Juniper

Resources: Engines: 2, Total personnel: 6

Summary: Observed fire activity on Thursday was minimal, however heat remains along the fire perimeter on the northeast and north flanks of the fire. The Type 4 organization will continue to monitor fire behavior through the weekend.

It is expected that the fuels will begin to dry out over the next 3 days based on the current weather forecast. Temperatures are predicted to increase, with a chance of wind increasing on Saturday. It is expected that the moisture received will dry out under this pattern, which would potentially increase fire activity.

The current strategy for the Kerr fire will continue as planned by utilizing this opportunity to allow fire to treat the fire dependent vegetation within the management area. Fire effects within the areas that have burned have removed heavy fuel loads, decreased forest tree densities and decreased ladder fuels. These effects within the John Kerr Peak area have reduced the threat into the future when conditions could result in undesirable fire effects.

Smoke-sensitive individuals and people with respiratory or heart disease are encouraged to take precautionary measures. Information on air quality and protecting your health can be found online at the New Mexico Department of Health website at https://nmtracking.org/fire .

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