Location: Aldo Leopold Wilderness, Black Range Ranger District

Start Date: June 6, 2017

Size: 4,304 acres

Cause: Lightning

Vegetation: Ponderosa pine and grass with a mixed conifer component

Resources: Four wildland fire modules, 10 smokejumpers, 4 engines, 2 EMTs, 1 water tender and other fire personnel with a total of 105.

Containment: 0% (managed for multiple resource objectives)

Summary: The Round Fire is currently 4,304 acres burning on the Gila National Forest in the Aldo Leopold Wilderness. The fire is being managed for multiple objectives with the primary objective of maintaining and restoring fire’s natural role in the forest. The fire will restore and enhance diverse ecosystems including Mexican Spotted Owl habitat. By fire maintaining its natural role in the ecosystem, the potential for catastrophic wildfire is reduced.

A planned ignition operation is scheduled for this morning. A structure protection plan is in place around private property. Fire suppression resources are staged at private property throughout today’s burning operation. Fire crews will continue to improve a contingency fire line along a fence line between Forest Service (FS) Road 500 and FS Road 226.

There are no area, road, or trail closures relating to the Round Fire at this time. The Gila National Forest is currently open to the public. Public may experience smoky conditions if driving on FS Road 226 and/or State Highway 59.

Fire information can be found at nmfireinfo.com or https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/5238/ . For information on the Gila National Forest, check out our website at http://www.fs.usda.gov/gila