Location: 17 miles northeast of Reserve, New Mexico

Start Date: May 1, 2017 Size: 2,765 acres

Contained: 17% Cause: Lightning

Vegetation: Ponderosa Pine, Gamble Oak, Pinon/Juniper

Resources: Engines: 3, Type 1 Crew: 1, Type 3 Helicopter: 1, Total personnel: 45

Summary: Minimal fire behavior was observed yesterday, Engine personnel hand ignited interior pockets of unburned fuels on the northeast flank of the fire. The Type 3 organization assumed command this morning.

Fire managers plan to initiate ignitions this morning. With favorable weather conditions today, aerial ignitions will be utilized this afternoon.There will be an increase in smoke today that will be visible from Aragon, Apache Creek, Reserve, and Datil.

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 of future 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