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Published: 17 June 2017 17 June 2017

Corral Fire

The Corral Fire is estimated at 12,025 acres and is burning with low to moderate intensity in pinon juniper grassland fuels and some pine stringers. The fire has burned to the edge of the East Fork of the Gila River and north to Diamond Creek. Crews are prepping FR 150 as well as some private property in Diamond Creek. This fire behavior is as it should be in a fire adapted ecosystem. The strategy of this fire is to reduce live woody fuels, reduce fuel loads on the ground, improve forest health and watershed conditions, and support the reintroduction of fire in the natural ecosystem. We are seeing smoke up at Gila Hotsprings and the Gila Center and a smoke monitor has been installed. Smoke has been heavy for the past few days and we expect that to continue.

Straw Fire

The Straw Fire, at 6,675 acres is also in the Gila Wilderness. Fire behavior is low to moderate. This fire is about 2 miles east of the Gila Cliff Dwellings. There is a “Smoke Ahead” sign on NM Hwy 15 due to heavy smoke. The forest recommends extreme caution in smoky conditions and considering the possibility of using Hwy 35 as an alternate to the Cliff Dwellings. This fire is also being managed for multiple objectives including fuels reduction, reduce live wood density in the pinon-juniper and maintain the natural role of fire in the Wilderness. The district will monitor the Straw Fire from Mogollon Baldy Lookout, high points on HWY 15 and the occasional aerial reconnaissance.

Forest Service Road 150 is open to motorists. Traffic will be heavier than usual, so please exercise caution and yield to fire vehicles as needed.

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