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Category: Front Page News Front Page News
Published: 13 May 2017 13 May 2017

Baca Fire, May 13, 2017 at 1400

Location:

Quemado Ranger District on the Gila National Forest

6 miles northeast of Quemado Lake

Catron County, New Mexico

Start Date: May 12, 2017 Size: 200 acres

Cause: Lightning

 

Vegetation: Ponderosa Pine, Grass

Smoke: Smoke may be visible within the surrounding area of Quemado, Pie Town, Horse Springs, and Datil, NM

Resources: 2 engines, 2 Type 2 crews, 1 Wildland Fire Module

Incident Commander: Gabe Castanon, IC-4

Summary: The Baca Fire is burning on National Forest lands. There are no values at risk in the immediate area. Values surrounding the fire include private property, Quemado Lake Recreation Area, Continental Divide trail which is located east of the fire, range improvement infrastructure and mixed conifer vegetation. CDT hikers in the area are advised to check in with the Quemado Ranger District office at 575.733.4678 for alternate routes in order to avoid potential fire activity in the area.

Fire personnel are scouting the surrounding area to determine control features, such as roads, trails, or changes in vegetation, that will help contain the fire with minimal exposure to firefighters and the public, and to minimize the impact to surrounding values at risk. This fire is burning in rugged terrain and is currently helping with restoring healthy forests and watershed restoration.

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