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Category: Front Page News Front Page News
Published: 22 June 2017 22 June 2017

Location: in the area of Snow Lake, Reserve Ranger District, Gila National Forest

Start Date: June 9, 2017 Size: 2,873 acres Cause: Lightning

Vegetation: Short grasses, timber understory and heavy logging slash

Resources: 77 personnel, including 2 Type 6 engines.

Containment: 0% (managed for multiple resource objectives)

 

Summary: The Gravel Fire is burning on National Forest System Lands. The northern edge of this fire is in the Turkey Creek drainage, the eastern edge has reached FR 28 along the Gilita drainage; the southern edge is in the Indian Creek drainage and the western border is FR 153S. Cres will continue patrolling and monitoring Indian Creek and Gilita Creek along FR 28.
Snow Lake is still open as are the Dipping Vat, Willow Creek and Ben Lilly Campgrounds. Smoke will be visible from main roads in that area. Smoke-sensitive individuals and people with respiratory or heart disease are encouraged to take precautionary measures.

Smoke can hurt your eyes, irritate your respiratory system, and intensify chronic heart and lung problems. Your eyes are your best tools to determine if it’s safe to be outside. If visibility is over 5 miles, the air quality is generally good. If you are having health effects from smoke exposure then take extra care to stay inside or get to an area with better air quality. You should also see your doctor or healthcare professional as needed.

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. Air Quality reports are available on Inciweb.

Information on these fires can be found at https://nmfireinfo.com/  and https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/5237/ .
For information on the Gila National Forest, check out our website at http://www.fs.usda.gov/gila